PDO Threading

The PDO threading procedure involves using various lengths of thin acupuncture sterile needles to embed PDO dissolving threads deep underneath the surface of the skin. These wires are placed strategically into the dermis, where it acts as a frame for lifting and tightening loose and sagging skin. The material from which these threads are made, Polydioxanone, is a safe substance that keeps the skin in its new tightened state for 4-6 months, whilst also synthesising new collagen production. The lasting result will provide the skin with a fresh, well-rested, and firmer look and supporting new collagen formation for long-lasting results.

This treatment can be done on the face, but also in various areas of the body where the main objective is creating a lift, rather than restoring volume.

The various thread lengths give the Skin Renewal doctor a wide range of treatment options. The threads dissolve naturally over months while synthesising new collagen production in the treated area.

This treatment allows the skin of the face or body to present smoother and firmer. The PDO threading treatment is well tolerated by patients as only local anaesthetic is required. Upon consultation, the doctor will analyse the area and recommend the right number and type of threads necessary to get the desired results.

The following types of PDO threads are available:

1. SUSPENSION SUTURES - Lifting, tightening & re-draping

2. BARBED THREADS & ANCHOR THREADS - lifting and tightening

3. MONOFILAMENTS - strengthening & improving general skin condition

4. SPECIALTY THREADS - area & function-specific threads

Threading can treat the following areas;

• Eye area including top and bottom lid
• crows feet
• Vermillion Border of top lip
• Nasolabial folds
• Marionette lines
• Upper Cheeks
• Jowl area
• Nose and bunny lines

The threading Facelift is literally a 5 to 50 minute procedure (depending on the amount of threads used) to lift sagging skin and to improve wrinkles and acne scars. The procedure involves the use of PDO (Polydioxanone) sutures that are easily and painlessly injected into the hypodermis of the skin providing a lifting and smoothing effect on the skin. The various thread lengths give the Skin Renewal Doctor a wide range of treatment options to lift and tighten skin anywhere on the face and body and improve acne scars and wrinkles. The embedded threads synthesize long lasting collagen and elastin in the treated area. The threads dissolve in a natural manner over a course of 8 months but the rejuvenation and tightening effects of these threads last 2 to 3 years due to continual collagen stimulation. This threadlift procedure is also known as the embedded threading "Pay as you go Facelift " as the lifting threads can be inserted over a period of 3 to 6 months depending on the budget of the patient.

PDO Threadlift a non-surgical, no scar facelift / threadlift performed using tiny surgical threads that will reabsorb / dissolve over time but will have prolonged rejuvenation effects due to maximal collagen stimulation. Normal skin aging progresses with formation of fine lines and wrinkles by destroying elastic and collagen tissue in epidermis. By boosting cell regeneration with multi-strand threads,one can improve dermal elastin and collagen tissue.

This is a new lifting method of injecting multi-strand threads in order to boost cell attachment and rejuvenate aged & damaged skin. Multi-strand threads used in ThreadLift are made of material-synthetic absorbable sterile surgical suture composed of Polydioxanone, which performs a role as a scaffold / stimulus for new collagen cells to attach to and create a vector of collagen that will lift sagging tissue which will last for 2 to 3 years.

• A reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Younger looking skin, with fewer signs of ageing due to tightening of loose/lax skin
• Improve skin tone, texture, pigmentation, scarring and stretch mark appearance
• Long lasting results, due to new collagen synthesis
• No scars or visible cuts (as can be the result of a traditional facelift)
• Can be performed from the age of 30, or earlier for anti-ageing benefits
• Increased skin metabolism
• Optimization of texture
• Activation of the lymphatic circulation
• Increased circulation in surrounding areas
• Long lasting stimulation of the fascia and of the soft tissues
• Creation of collagen
• Normalization of collagen
• Remodeling of the silhouette
• Tissue elasticity and lifting
• Delayed cutaneous aging
• Skin brightness

1. Lifting action: these mini threads are embedded in the layer known as the SMAS, in between the skin and the muscle, facilitating a lifting action on both skin and muscle. Precise implantation at the correct depth and at the appropriate points has an immediate lifting effect on the neck and lower part of the face, where the supporting tissue is weaker. The placement of the threads is based on the use of natural tension lines of the skin/ vectors , causing an effect similar to a surgical face lift.
2. Smoothing effect: The use of shorter, thicker threads on the forehead relaxes the muscles, hindering their use and creating a lifting action similar to that produced by botulinum toxins.
3. Increased circulation: These threads have a continual stimulation of blood supply to the treated area which results in continual collagen and elastin stimulation in the treated area. After a few days, the treated area looks healthier and brighter.
4. Natural final effect: PDO threads works by stimulating the action of the fibroblasts and the final effect is always natural. There is no risk of deformation or changes to the patient's features.
5. Similar effect to Botulinum Toxin: the PDO thread relaxes the muscles of facial expression , simulating the effect of botulinum toxin but with the advantage of a more natural look.
6. Increased endogenous hyaluronic acid clinical studies have shown that where the thread is inserted, stimulation of endogenous HA occurs and the skin is better hydrated.
7. Reduction of fat cells: An additional action on the fatty layers in the SMAS area of the skin, ( the mini threads are embedded in the layer known as the SMAS, in between the skin and the muscle ) helps mobilise adipose tissue, reducing the size of the face and defining features.

1. No theatre or anaesthetic required: this procedure is carried out at the Doctor's surgery, with no hospitalization required and just a local anaesthetic.
2. No rejection of sutures or significant side effects after the procedure, just mild swelling and possibly a bit of bruising. A simple and fast procedure.
3. No mechanical traction with the threads as were needed with the older fixed sutures. There is no tieing or securing of sutures.
4. No surgical procedure or facelift necessary to "fish out" unwanted, problematic sutures that was the case with previous non absorbable sutures. These sutures are totally resorbable.
5. A non-aggressive procedure. No adverse reactions.
6. No need for limited facial expressions for 10 days after the procedure as was the case with fixed sutures.
7. There is a very high level of patient satisfaction as the final result is very natural
8. These sutures will NOT SNAP with excessive movement of face such as smiling, laughing etc.
9. No scarring: The speed of re absorption of the PDO thread, along with its small diameter, prevents risks of thin thickening and scarring which can happen with other biocompatible materials/ threads.
10. These threads can be combined and / or supplemented with other cosmetic medical techniques such as Botulinum Toxin, fillers, mesotherapy etc.

This treatment has been used extensively in Europe and the East for many years, and is only recently available in South Africa. The methodology has been tried and tested and only qualified Medical Doctors are authorized to perform this treatment. This procedure is DE approved, FDA pending and there is no risk of granuloma formation.

The PDO (Polydioxanone) substance the threads are made of is a material increasingly used in general surgery, vascular and cardiac surgery for various sutures. Thus, these threads are listed as a class IV medical device which is absolutely safe, fully absorbent and hypoallergenic. The sutures are also heavy metal free, non allergenic, doesn't trigger immunogenicity mechanisms, has no significant side effects, and inflammatory reaction is very low.

All needles are sterile packages and were recorded at the Italian Ministry of Health. Every product is labeled CE 1/93 and complies with legislative decree 92 / 42 EC which regulates medical devices.

The threads are resorbed by hydrolysis and this takes approximately 6 to 8 months to achieve.

The treatment is relatively pain free, due to the deep insertion of the needles and working in the dermis of the skin. Also, there is no down-time after the procedure, with bruising and swelling only being present in a few cases which may last a couple of days.

To alleviate any discomfort a topical anaesthetic can be applied and massaged into the treated area, and the entire treatment takes between 15 - 45 minutes depending on the size of the treatment area.

The doctor will draw the insertion points with a white pencil over the treatment area, following the orientation and directions of gravity. The threading wires are then implanted into this designed supportive structure, without the need for anchors.

The PDO threading treatment gives an instant lifting result, with optimum results setting in after about 3 months. Due to the dissolvable nature of the threads they will last between 4-6 months, but the continued collagen synthesis will leave the new skin structure in place.

A top-up treatment is recommended annually, but your Skin Renewal Doctor will assess and advice on the best treatment plan depending on your skin's needs and your objective.

Yes, the threading treatments work very well with other treatments such as:

• Botox & Filler, as part of a liquid facelift
• Carboxytherapy
• PDT
• Chemical Peels
• Laser rejuvenating treatments
• Radiofrequency and tightening treatments (this has to be done before the threading treatment, or only four months after the threading treatment is completed).
• Any topical facial regime

Face:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Ageing Lips and around the mouth
• Drooping Eyelids
• Crow's Feet
• Glabella
• Sagging eyebrows
• To enhance a V-shaped facial outline.