A Lift Without the Facelift
When your jawline softens or your cheeks start to slide, PDO threads give a subtle lift you can see right away. As they dissolve over the next several months, they leave behind new collagen that keeps skin firmer, with no surgery and no general anesthesia.
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What Is a PDO Thread Lift?
A PDO thread lift uses thin, dissolvable medical threads made of polydioxanone, the same material used in surgical stitches, placed under the skin to lift sagging areas and stimulate collagen. At the Osteopathic Center for Healing in Rockville, MD, Jennifer Gularson, PA-C, IFMCP uses PDO threads for the jawline, jowls, neck, cheeks and brows. The procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes with local numbing, and results can last a year or more.
How Do Threads Work?
Lift
Threads with tiny barbs grab the tissue under the skin and lift it into a better position. You'll see the change the same day.
Collagen
As the threads slowly dissolve over about six months, your body builds new collagen around them, so skin gets firmer and thicker.
Which Types of Threads Are There?
Lifting (Cog) Threads
Small barbs along the thread lift and hold sagging skin. Used for jowls, jawline, cheeks and brows.
Smooth (Mono) Threads
Fine threads placed in a mesh to improve skin quality, firmness and fine lines. Often used on the neck.
Jennifer chooses the threads, and often a combination, based on your face and your goals.
Where Threads Help
How Do Threads Compare to Filler and a Facelift?
| PDO Threads | Filler | Surgical Facelift | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Mild to moderate sagging | Lost volume | Significant sagging |
| Results | Lift right away, collagen over months | Volume right away | Most dramatic |
| Downtime | A few days of swelling | 1 to 3 days | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Lasts | About 1 to 2 years | 6 months to 2 years | Many years |
| Anesthesia | Local numbing | Little to none | General or sedation |
Threads give a real lift, but they're not a replacement for a facelift if there's a lot of loose skin. Jennifer will tell you straight which one fits. See Botox and fillers.
Who's a Good Fit for Threads?
Usually people in their late 30s to 60s with mild to moderate sagging and decent skin thickness, who want a lift without surgery. Very loose or very thin skin may do better with other options.
What Happens on Treatment Day?
Mapping
Jennifer marks where the threads will go based on how your face moves and where it sags.
Numbing
Local anesthetic at each entry point.
Placement
A thin, blunt cannula places the threads under the skin. About 30 to 60 minutes.
Home
You'll see a lift right away and can go home the same day.
What Are the First Two Weeks Like?
Swelling, mild bruising and tightness. Some puckering or dimpling is normal and settles.
Most swelling is gone, and most people are back to normal.
Everything settles and the lift looks natural.
Collagen builds as the threads dissolve.
How Should You Care for Your Skin After a Thread Lift?
- Sleep on your back with your head raised for about a week
- Avoid opening your mouth wide, like big yawns or dental work, for about 2 weeks
- No facial massage, facials or rubbing for 2 to 3 weeks
- Skip hard workouts, saunas and hot yoga for about a week
- Ice and gentle care for swelling
Who Should Wait
Pregnancy or breastfeeding, an active skin infection in the area, certain autoimmune conditions, or a tendency toward keloid scarring. Jennifer reviews your history at the consult.
Pairs Well With
Who Is Jennifer Gularson?
Jennifer Gularson, PA-C, IFMCP has over 20 years of aesthetic experience and is a certified functional medicine practitioner. She plans every thread lift around how your face moves, so the lift looks natural.
What Do People Ask About PDO Thread Lifts?
Does a Thread Lift Hurt?
Each entry point is numbed. Most people feel pressure and some tugging.
How Long Do Thread Lift Results Last?
The lift usually lasts about a year or more, and the collagen benefit can last up to 2 years.
Will People Be Able to Tell I Had Threads?
Results look natural once swelling settles. The threads aren't visible under the skin.
Can I Combine Threads With Filler or Botox?
Yes. Many people do, since threads lift, filler restores volume and Botox softens lines.
What Are the Risks of a Thread Lift?
Bruising, swelling, temporary dimpling and, rarely, a thread that needs adjusting or an infection. Choosing an experienced injector lowers the risk.
How Soon Can I Go Back to Work After Threads?
Most people go back in 1 to 3 days, depending on swelling.
Request an Appointment
Tell us what you'd like to lift or tighten, and our team will reach out to schedule your consult with Jennifer.
Let's Talk About Your Lift
Book a consult with Jennifer in Rockville, MD.
Not ready to book? Start with a free 15-minute call