PDO Sutures Tighten Skin Without Surgery
PDO threads or the sugar thread lift at the San Francisco Bay Area’s L&P Aesthetics is a nonsurgical facial contouring procedure that was very popular a few years ago. Despite some benefits from treatment the doctors typically will guide patients to other, more advanced contouring modalities
Drs. Lieberman, Parih and Curti still perform the sugar thread lift on the right candidates, but a newer, more innovative procedure is FaceTite / NeckTite. Both treatments are meant to tighten skin and reveal more youthful contours of the face. But Drs. L&P have been seeing superior results with FaceTite / NeckTite and AccuTite.
The sugar thread lift is performed by implanting or “threading” PDO (polydioxanone) dissolvable threads into the superficial layers of skin, generally in the areas of the forehead, cheeks, jawline and neck.
The patient’s own body then builds new bundles of collagen around each thread to organically lift the desired region. Little to no downtime is necessary after the treatment session, making the sugar thread lift a popular choice for people seeking to trade their loose or sagging skin for a more youthful appearance. However, FaceTite / NeckTite, Ultherapy and even Morpheus8 are procedures that can also be considered when looking at the sugar thread lift.
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What to Expect During a Sugar Thread Lift
The key to a sugar thread lift is that the PDO threads, made of polydioxanone (a complex sugar that naturally breaks down into carbon dioxide and water), are eventually dissolved by the body. They are strong, flexible, and safe and have been used in surgical settings for decades.
When inserted beneath the skin, the PDO sutures can hold up drooping skin like a scaffold, but the results are not always as dramatic as people would like them to be. The polydioxanone fibers are intended to stimulate collagen and elastin production, adding healthy volume and boosting the skin’s tone, moisture, pliancy, and texture. This regeneration process will continue as the sutures themselves dissolve away in four to six months, leaving healthy, supportive collagen to keep skin tight in key areas of the face.
In a best case scenario, the results of a sugar thread lift will last for up to two years, and patients can return annually for touch-up sessions as desired.
Why L&P For Sugar Thread Lift Procedure and Recovery
A sugar thread lift is a minor procedure lasting 30 minutes to an hour and is performed in our office. While no anesthetic is necessary, a topical numbing cream may be applied to the skin to help increase a patient’s comfort.
While there may be some mild swelling or bruising lasting a few days, patients generally return to normal activities immediately.
Patients will quickly notice some results of the procedure, but long-term results will continue to develop over the next several months as the threads are reabsorbed by the body and new collagen is naturally regenerated.
Sugar Thread Lift Before and After Gallery
Coming soon.
Recovery and Beyond
The sugar thread lift is one of the options to consider if you are a person who wants a more youthful appearance but isn’t ready for surgery. Other nonsurgical facial contouring procedures to consider are FaceTite / NeckTite, Ultherapy, and CoolSculpting. While nonsurgical results are usually not permanent, some patients appreciate the minimal downtime after these types of procedures.
Dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm Voluma®, can also provide a lifting effect by adding volume to specific areas and pulling up sagging skin, but patients looking for more long-term results should consider a surgical facelift.
Drs. Lieberman and Parikh will discuss your ultimate aesthetic goals during your consultation and help you determine which treatment is right for you.
