PDO Smooth Threads 101

What are PDO Smooth Threads?

Smooth threads and other collagen-boosting treatments, such as Sculptra have been a hot topic lately at Pristine Rejuvenation. We have been getting a lot of questions about smooth threads, so we thought we’d shed a little light on the subject.

At our West Bloomfield medspa, we only offer FDA-Approved PDO threads, such as Mint™ & Les Encres™ threads.

What’s the difference between smooth threads and lifting threads?

All PDO threads stimulate collagen, but first let’s clarify the difference between lifting and smooth threads…

There there are two types of PDO threads:

- Lifting or barbed threads: These threads are used to lift the skin and combat sagging and laxity

- Smooth threads: These threads smooth, tighten and strengthen the skin.

PDO Smooth threads vs Lifting threads

Lifting (barbed) threads is a nonsurgical way to instantly tighten and lift your skin from the inside. PDO lifting threads gather skin to produce a lifting action. Smooth threads are another nonsurgical skin tightening option and use similar technology to lifting threads, but they do not pull the skin back-they stimulate collagen to help the skin naturally retract and tighten, over a period of months as results are more gradual.

We’re focusing this post on PDO smooth threads.

How do PDO Smooth threads improve my skin?

Smooth threads are safe and effective dissolvable suture made from PDO that tighten and “smooth” the skin helping to minimize fine lines and wrinkles and build collagen and other structural proteins in the skin.

What’s a PDO?

PDO stands for polydioxanone – a complex sugar, with a track record in safety. It’s been used for over a decade in orthopedic and cardiovascular surgery for wound closure. It is an absorbable thread that is thinner than a strand of hair and made of medical grade strands of protein. Since its dissolvable, it doesn’t need to be removed.

When used cosmetically, they are carefully and strategically inserted below the skin to act like a microinjury in the skin so that the body can respond by stimulating the production of collagen, elastin, and fibrin, which results in smoother, plumper, more youthful looking skin.

What are the benefits of PDO Smooth Threads?

PDO Smoothing Threads give your skin a boost, which is why it’s commonly are referred to as “Skin Boosters”. Smooth threads are small solid filler threads without any barbs that are used to clear up acne scarring, define the vermillion border on your lips, get rid of lines and wrinkles at the glabella, and nasolabial folds, as well as increase collagen production. This treatment is a skin strengthener that effectively smooths wrinkled skin on the face, neck and body giving you a more vibrant look.

Years of facial expressions can leave permanent lines. If you’re tired of looking tired or want to smooth your skin’s texture, smooth threads might be the perfect solution for you. Often used in areas of tired skin or skin with a crepey texture, such as the neck, around the eyes, upper lip, hollows of the cheeks, under the chin or around the mouth, smooth PDO threads can be placed anywhere under the skin where you are looking for tightening or smoothing.

We love their versatility. Smooth threads can add a boost to many places on the face and body, especially hard to treat or areas that are considered high risk with dermal fillers, such as the glabella “frown lines”. It’s a quick, minimal discomfort treatment with little to no downtime. They dissolve after 2-6 months into naturally occurring collagen and are a great alternative to traditional filler or Botox.

Are PDO smooth threads better than Botox?

The short answer is NO. Botox is Botox. Botox is better than smooth threads for dynamic wrinkles-lines that occur with movement caused by facial expressions. It minimizes dynamic muscle contractions, so the muscle is not able to “contract” and will relax facial muscles that cause lines & wrinkles, such as frown lines. But Botox will not eliminate static wrinkles-lines that are there all the time, such as the 11’s-and that’s when smooth threads can benefit you and may be be considered better than Botox. Smooth threads act as a skin booster. They tighten and smooth the skin helping to minimize fine lines and wrinkles and build collagen and other structural proteins in the skin.

Can you get PDO smooth threads if you have Botox?

Yes! Combination therapy with Botox and smooth threads is very popular. They both can be done together every 3-4 months, but they are placed into different layers of tissue. Botox is injected into the muscle to prevent movement and minimize lines/wrinkle formation, whereas smooth threads are inserted in the sub dermis (middle) layer of the skin to smooth static wrinkles, fine lines and plump the skin. They work together extremely well to treat frown lines (“11’s”), crow’s feet, the lines around the mouth, and many other areas of the face and body.

What is a PDO smooth threads treatment like?

You’ll always start with a consultation to determine what goals you have. Our providers who are licensed, certified and trained Mint™ & Les Encres™ in advanced PDO Threads will assess your areas of concern to determine if your an ideal candidate and create a custom treatment plan to assess how many threads are needed to achieve your desired result.

The treatment begins with comfort measures and preparing the area. Topical medical-grade numbing is applied followed by cleansing the treatment area with an antimicrobial. Next the threads are inserted and guided with a very fine needle and a cannula into the treatment areas. It is a quick procedure as inserting smooth threads takes on average of 6-8 seconds per thread. You may experience a brief pinch and pulling when the smooth threads are inserted and placed in the treatment area. There is risk of occasional bruising, but that can often be avoided by following our pre-treatment instructions.

How long does it take to see results from PDO Smooth Threads?

Results are not immediate as it takes time for the suture to dissolve and your bodies healing mechanism to work. You usually start to see results after 1 month, with optimal results in 3-4 months after a full treatment series. A series of 3 treatments is recommended for optimal results.

I’m interested in a smooth threads treatment! What do I do next?

PDO smooth threads is a great alternative and less invasive than many other procedures. Whether you’re a new or existing client with us, let’s start with a conversation. We are here to help guide you through your aesthetic journey.

BOOK ONLINE to schedule a consultation with our Mint™ and Les Encres™ certified providers with Pristine Rejuvenation in West Bloomfield and take the first step in learning more about a smooth threads treatment.