A thread lift is a type of procedure where temporary sutures are inserted to produce a subtle but visible “lift” in the skin. Instead of removing the patient’s loose facial skin surgically, the doctor simply suspends the skin with the PDO threads. This has the effect of pulling the skin back slightly and therefore lifting and tightening the face. In addition to being ideal for lifting the skin, threads combat aging in another way: by provoking the body’s “healing response” and causing the body to direct large surges of collagen to treated areas. This is important because of the vital role collagen plays in the aging process.

Collagen helps support “growth factors” that greatly influence the condition of the skin. In addition to being used for wound healing, collagen helps to keep our skin strong, voluminous and supple. As we get older, our bodies gradually produce less and less collagen, which leads to an 80% reduction in skin thickness by about age 70. This loss of volume and strength is a large factor in the creation of excess skin and wrinkles. As the skin grows weaker, it’s no longer able to support the tissues beneath it adequately, meaning that gravity pulls it downwards and stretches it.

PDO threads provide a gradual improvement in skin tone and firmness over time. While their threads are in place, the body’s healing response will be constantly activated because the body will want to “heal” the areas where the threads were placed. The body is biologically programmed to react this way when it senses any foreign object present within the skin.