What Are PDO Threads? A Complete Guide for Stockton Patients

PDO threads are made of polydioxanone — the same biocompatible material used in surgical sutures for decades. These threads are inserted beneath the skin using thin needles or cannulas, where they serve two functions: mechanically lifting sagging tissue into a more youthful position and stimulating your body's natural collagen production around the thread. The threads come in various types designed for different effects. Smooth threads are placed in a mesh-like pattern to stimulate collagen and improve skin quality. Barbed or cog threads have tiny hooks that grip tissue and provide mechanical lifting. Screw threads are coiled for volumizing effects in areas needing plumpness. Over 4-6 months, the PDO material is gradually absorbed by your body through hydrolysis. During this absorption process, your fibroblasts produce new collagen around the thread, creating a structural support network that maintains the lifting effect even after the threads dissolve.

A PDO thread lift at A Touch Above MedSpa begins with facial assessment and treatment planning. Amy Mason RN identifies the areas of laxity and determines the optimal thread placement pattern to achieve your goals. Local anesthesia is administered to the treatment areas — you will be awake and comfortable throughout. Using a thin needle or cannula, threads are inserted beneath the skin at precise angles and depths. For lifting procedures, barbed threads are placed and then gently tensioned to reposition sagging tissue. The procedure takes 45-90 minutes depending on the number of threads and areas treated. Most patients require 4-8 threads per side for a noticeable lift. You will see immediate improvement from the mechanical lifting, with additional tightening developing over the following months as collagen builds around the threads.

The ideal PDO thread lift candidate has mild to moderate facial sagging that does not yet warrant surgical intervention. This typically includes patients in their 30s-50s who notice early jowling, loss of jawline definition, mild mid-face descent, or neck laxity. Thread lifts work best when there is still reasonable skin elasticity. Patients with very thin skin, significant sun damage, or severe laxity may not achieve optimal results with threads alone and may benefit from combining threads with other treatments or considering surgical options. During consultation at A Touch Above MedSpa in Stockton, your provider assesses your skin quality, degree of laxity, and aesthetic goals to determine if PDO threads are the right approach for you.