PDO and PCL Thread Lifts: Understanding the Options and How They Work

Cosmetic injections have come a long way, giving you a range of options to replace volume and fill wrinkles. When it comes to one sign of aging, however, they can’t do much. Gravity is a cruel force, and you might have noticed sagging as you get older.

Facelifts were long touted as the best option to combat this issue. Fortunately, they’re not your only choice. If you want to avoid surgery and the extensive recovery period that comes with it, ask our team at Norman J. Pastorek, MD, PC, FACS, about a polydioxanone (PDO) or polycaprolactone (PCL) thread lift.

With PDO or PCL threads, Dr. Norman J. Pastorek, Janice Pastorek, BSN, RN, and our team can help you lift and tighten sagging skin. We offer this minimal-downtime treatment at our offices on Manhattan’s Upper East Side in New York City and in Madison, Connecticut.

PDO and PCL 101

Dr. Pastorek, Janice Pastorek, and our team offer two different kinds of thread lifts: ones with PDO threads and ones with PCL threads.

PDO thread lift

PDO threads are more commonly used. These use the same material as absorbable surgical sutures. When we place the thread under your skin, it serves as an anchor there. Over time, usually about six months, your body absorbs the thread. 

That doesn’t mean your results fade in a matter of months, though. The placement of the thread stimulates your skin’s collagen production processes. As the PDO thread dissipates, the new collagen serves as scaffolding to preserve the lifting and tightening effects. Most people see their results last for a year or more.

PCL thread lift

If you’re looking for a longer-lasting option, ask our team about using PCL threads. 

These kinds of threads have a stronger chemical bond so they don’t absorb as quickly. The thread can last more than two years, and the collagen production effect can last a year beyond that.

Tailoring your thread lift to you

In addition to choosing between PDO and PCL threads, you have options when it comes to the thread’s shape. At our offices, we offer:

• Barbed threads, which are ideal for treating the face and neck
• Smooth threads, which are ideal for the under-eyes and cheeks
• Twist threads, which are ideal for nasolabial folds and deep wrinkles
• Mono threads, which can treat any area, including the arms and abdomen

We also offer hyaluronic-coated threads, which add hyaluronic acid for hydration and volume. With so many options on the table, we can customize your thread lift to you and your cosmetic goals. 

Plus, whichever type of thread you choose, your treatment should be a comfortable process with minimal downtime. You might have some swelling or bruising, but it should fade within a few days. Most people head straight back to work or their usual activities after a thread lift. 

To explore PDO or PCL threads for yourself, call either of our offices or book your appointment online today with Norman J. Pastorek, MD, PC, FACS.