PDO Thread Lift: A Nonsurgical Facelift Alternative That Really Works

Are you considering ways to refresh your appearance, but want to avoid surgery? More people are turning to minimally invasive treatments to turn back the clock without going under the knife. One of the most popular procedures we offer is the polydioxanone thread lift. This safe and effective treatment takes less than an hour to complete and boosts your body’s natural collagen production. Recovery is quick, so you’ll be able to show off your new youthful glow almost immediately.

What Is a PDO Thread Lift?

A PDO thread lift is a minimally invasive treatment that gently lifts sagging skin and encourages collagen production. Our providers place fine threads just beneath the skin to create a supportive framework that repositions tissue. These PDO threads are dissolvable medical-grade sutures that have been used in medical procedures since the 1980s. Today, we use them as an aesthetic tool to gently lift areas such as the cheeks, jawline, and neck. Over time, this signals your skin to produce more of the protein that keeps your skin firm and youthful.

This dual action makes PDO threads unique. They provide visible results right away and continue to improve your skin for several months after your appointment. PDO thread lifts offer several types of treatments to help you achieve your desired look, including:

Eyebrow thread lifts: Address sagging or furrowed eyebrows while tightening your skin.

Neck thread lifts: Gently lift the loose skin and smooth out neck lines.

Cat or fox eye thread lifts: Carefully pull the eyebrows toward the temples of your forehead for a catlike effect.

Nose thread lifts: Straighten, lift, or slim your nose.

How Does a PDO Thread Lift Compare to a Facelift?

A PDO thread lift achieves many of the same goals as a traditional facelift, but it’s less invasive and more affordable. This procedure is often called the “lunchtime facelift” because it’s quick and requires minimal downtime. Most PDO thread lifts can be performed in an hour using local anesthesia, without incisions needed, and with no significant scarring. While results aren’t as permanent as a surgical facelift, PDO thread lifts are usually a smart option if you have mild to moderate laxity and want a natural and refreshed look.

If you’re unsure which procedure is the best beauty investment for you, book a consultation with our Formula Wellness team. Many of our clients enjoy PDO threads for their subtle effect, while others view them as a way to complement future surgical enhancements. Our providers will guide you through both options to choose the path that feels right for your age, skin condition, and aesthetic vision.

What Areas of the Face and Neck Can Be Treated With a PDO Thread Lift?

PDO thread lifts are incredibly versatile. We use them to refine contours, soften heaviness, and create a subtle lifted look that restores youthful proportions. With so many uses, we’re able to target multiple areas during a single visit, including the:

Cheeks: We use PDO threads to counter flattening or sagging around the midface, restoring cheek projection with a gentle upward cue.

Jawline: PDO threads provide definition for a sharper, more snatched or contoured appearance.

Neck: PDO threads tighten crepey skin and minimize fine lines, resulting in a smoother appearance.

Jowls and smile folds: By repositioning sagging skin and tissue, we soften heaviness around the mouth to smooth out jowls and smile lines.

Brows and outer eye region: We can use PDO threads to create a subtle brow lift or fox eye effect that refreshes the upper face.

At Formula Wellness, we customize each procedure based on your anatomy for natural-looking results. Your provider will determine the best thread choice, vectoring, and placement to help you feel like your most radiant self.

What Happens During a PDO Thread Lift at Formula Wellness?

Once you’ve gone through a personalized consultation with one of our providers, we’ll schedule your PDO thread lift. To begin, your provider will apply a local anesthetic to make sure you’re comfortable. Clients often ask us if a PDO thread lift hurts, but the numbing agent we use makes this procedure virtually painless.

Following the anesthesia, your practitioner will use a small cannula to implant the PDO threads beneath your skin. You may feel some gentle pressure or tugging while they carefully make adjustments, but the good news is that most people only require a few threads. Research shows that using more threads doesn’t necessarily improve lifting results. A recent study comparing three vs. six threads per side found no significant difference in lift. We make precise and methodical refinements at Formula Wellness so your final results look and feel natural.

What Is Recovery After a PDO Thread Lift?

One of the biggest advantages of a PDO thread lift is the short recovery period. While you may have slight swelling or bruising for the first 24-48 hours, most people are ready to get back to work and their social lives quickly. For the best results, sleep on your back with your head elevated and apply a cold compress as needed.

Don’t rub your face, and try to minimize exaggerated expressions. Skip any strenuous workouts during the first week, and hold off on facials or saunas until your skin has healed. Your provider will share a skincare regimen and special aftercare instructions with you so you feel photo-ready and confident with your results.

How Long Do Results Last After a PDO Thread Lift?

Right after treatment, you’ll notice a subtle lift, but the real magic happens over the following weeks. During this time, the PDO threads stimulate your body’s natural collagen production to improve firmness and elasticity. Most patients enjoy their refreshed look for 12-18 months, but several factors influence the longevity of the results, including:

The type of thread used

Original skin quality

Individual metabolism

Lifestyle habits

It’s common for clients to schedule an annual refresh to maintain their youthful appearance, but we’ve also had several people tell us they love that the enhancements are gradual. There’s never a drastic before or after moment with PDO thread lifts, even as the results start to fade.

How Safe Is a PDO Thread Lift, and Are There Any Risks?

PDO thread lifts are a safe and minimally invasive alternative to surgery when you choose to work with a qualified provider. At Formula Wellness, we use FDA-approved sutures that have been standard in the medical field for decades. Because PDO threads dissolve naturally over time, most patients have very minor side effects, such as temporary swelling or bruising.

Rare complications include thread migration, infection, and uneven results. Although these issues aren’t common, they’re usually easy to fix if they’re identified early. Our professional team uses the most advanced techniques to keep you safe and comfortable while achieving the natural result you’ll love.

Can I Combine a PDO Thread Lift With Filler or Botox?

Combining PDO threads with other injectables is often the secret to attaining the most natural and refreshed look. While threads gently lift and tighten the skin, fillers replace lost volume, and Botox smooths away expression lines. With the right plan, these three procedures can complement each other beautifully. Some patients may choose to have us perform multiple treatments in the same appointment to save time.

However, there are cases when your provider might recommend spacing them out to get you the best results. We believe in balance over excess at Formula Wellness. You can always trust our providers to guide you through the timing and aesthetic treatments that work best for you.

What Happens if I Don’t Like the Results of My PDO Thread Lift?

While most patients are satisfied with the results of their PDO thread lift, it’s completely normal to have concerns about what to do if you don’t love the outcome. Unlike surgery, PDO threads aren’t permanent. Slight asymmetry usually improves as swelling subsides over the first few days, and as the sutures naturally dissolve, your skin will return to normal with the added benefit of increased collagen stimulation.

If you’d like to make adjustments before the PDO threads dissolve on their own, we can make small refinements with filler, Botox, or additional threads to obtain your desired results. Follow-up care and open communication are a part of our process at Formula Wellness. Our team will always go the extra mile to make sure you leave feeling like the best version of yourself.

Am I a Good Candidate for a PDO Thread Lift?

If you’re not sure whether a PDO thread lift will give you the results you’ve been dreaming of, we’re here to help. This procedure tends to work best for patients in their 30s and 50s who have mild to moderate sagging in their cheeks, jawline, or neck. If your skin still has decent elasticity but you’d like more definition and lift, threads could be the perfect option.

However, if you have more advanced sagging or loose skin, we might recommend a surgical facelift to provide longer-lasting results. During your consultation, we’ll carefully assess your skin and create a personalized wellness plan that supports your overall wellness goals so you feel confident when you book your treatment.

Discover What a PDO Thread Lift Can Do for You

If you’re looking for a nonsurgical facelift alternative that really works, a PDO thread lift might be the perfect solution. Let our team craft a holistic rejuvenation plan that makes you feel more radiant inside and out. Request a one-on-one consultation with us today to discuss your aesthetic goals.