At Inner Vitality in Bellevue, WA, we know that not everyone wants to undergo an invasive treatment for the sake of beauty, and the good news is, you don’t have to. There is a way to lift the skin and activate the body’s natural healing properties, and we have it. We are proud to offer our patients the opportunity to experience PDO Threadlifts, a treatment designed to give you natural-looking results with no downtime.
What Are PDO Threadlifts?
A PDO Threadlift is a minimally invasive treatment that lifts up soft tissue and overlying skin through the insertion of surgical-grade threads below the skin’s surface. These threads are fully absorbable and dissolve over time, but once inserted into the skin, they help lift sagging skin and improve the appearance so that you look more revitalized.
These threads not only provide a unique way to treat aging, but they are completely safe. They’re made of a complex sugar polydioxanone, which has been labeled PDO for short. PDO sutures have been used in surgeries for years and are now used in aesthetic medicine.
The Different Threads
At Inner Vitality, we use FDA-approved MINT threads. There are two types of threads that come in many thicknesses and lengths to allow for customized treatments. Dr. Alice Kuntz will determine which threads we use based on your skin, your needs, and your goals.
- Barbed threads are designed to lift skin and soft tissues, countering gravity.
- Smooth threads help to build collagen under the skin, resulting in firmer and thicker skin.
The Treatment Areas
MINT PDO threadlift with barbed threads offers immediate lifting of the sagging skin and soft tissues at your brows, cheeks, jawline, and neck. The smooth threads can further help iron out wrinkles in your skin, such as around the mouth and neck.
The face and neck are by far the most popular areas for PDO threadlifts. However, these threads can effectively tighten and lift skin on the arms, thighs, and abdomen.
What Will Happen During Treatment?
Typically, Dr. Kuntz will analyze your face and neck and draw out the optimal vectors for lifting with you sitting up. Then, you will be in a comfortable reclined position for the rest of the procedure. Dr. Kuntz will infuse a local anesthetic before placing barbed threads using cannulas in the proper level. She will then place smooth threads via thin needles in the areas that you need additional firming support for thinned skin. The procedure will last 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the areas that need treatment.
How Many Threads Will I Need?
The total number of threads used during treatment varies based on your goals, skin condition, and how many areas you want to treat. During your initial consultation, Dr. Kuntz will confirm that you are a candidate for PDO threads and then create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. During this consultation, she can give you a better idea of how many threads will be used during your treatment.
Are the Threads Noticeable?
No, the threads are not visible.
When Will I Notice Results?
Most likely you will notice lifting immediately after the procedure, with smoothing of the jawline or nasolabial folds and better position of your cheeks. The barbed threads are responsible for the immediate change. Collagen production takes time, and so the effect of smooth threads will take several months to fully appreciate.
What Is the Recovery Like?
You may have mild swelling that lasts several days and some tenderness in the areas of threads, but you will resume regular activities the next day. Bruising is typically minimal. Depending on the location of the barbed sutures, you may experience headaches for up to a week. We recommend avoiding strenuous activity and aggressive chewing for two weeks after treatment.
How Long Do Treatment Results Last?
Depending on the baseline health and condition of your skin, you can expect to have results last up to a year. You may find the immediate gratification of PDO threadlift appealing and return to address other areas of your face and neck before year’s end. There is also no contraindication to having more threads placed in areas of previous treatment.
You Can Combine PDO Threadlifts With Other Treatments
When you choose this treatment, you can combine it with other anti-aging treatments, like cosmetic injectables such as neuromodulators and dermal fillers, or Secret RF microneedling to improve your appearance and build on your results.
