PDO threads are dissolvable medical sutures placed under the skin to create a subtle mechanical lift and to stimulate collagen as your body heals around the thread. A “PDO thread lift” is most often used to improve the look of mild-to-moderate laxity (early jowls, soft jawline, midface droop), and it’s not designed to replace the dramatic tightening of a surgical facelift.

Barbed (cog) PDO threads are designed to anchor and lift—they grip tissue and can reposition it for contouring (ex: jawline/jowls, midface, marionette area).
Smooth/mono threads are primarily for skin quality—they aim to improve crepey texture, fine lines, and “collagen glow,” but they don’t create the same lifting effect as barbed threads.

PDO threads are commonly used for:

• Jawline/jowls (a “snatched jawline” look)

• Midface/cheek support

• Marionette lines (supporting the lower face)

• Select brow/outer eye lifting (“cat eye” thread lift) in appropriate candidates

Results depend heavily on anatomy, tissue quality, and thread pattern, and the best outcomes are usually in people with early laxity, not heavy excess skin.

Best candidates typically have:

• Mild-to-moderate sagging (not severe excess skin)

• Good skin quality (reasonable elasticity)

• Realistic expectations for a subtle-to-moderate lift

You may be a poor candidate if you have significant skin excess, very thin/fragile skin, or you want results comparable to surgery (a facelift may be more appropriate). A consult should include a discussion of goals, alternatives, and risk tolerance.

Common short-term effects: swelling, bruising, tenderness, tightness, and sometimes lumps/irregularity while threads “settle.”
Potential complications can include: infection, dimpling/puckering, asymmetry, visible or palpable threads, thread extrusion, hematoma, and (rarely) injury to nearby structures. Published medical reviews describe these as known risks that vary by technique, thread type, and provider experience.

Contact your provider urgently if you have:

• Worsening swelling/redness after the first few days

• Fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms

• Increasing warmth, drainage, pus, or a foul odor

• Severe or escalating pain

• Skin changes that look concerning (spreading redness, blistering, or ulceration)

Most normal post-procedure swelling/bruising improves steadily; red flags are symptoms that intensify instead of settling.

Typical recovery looks like this (varies by person and thread type):

• Days 1–3: swelling, tenderness, tightness; bruising can be noticeable

• Days 4–7: many people feel “socially presentable,” though tenderness may linger

• Weeks 2–4: most settling occurs; small irregularities often smooth out

• Months 1–3: collagen stimulation continues, and results may refine

Some sources note many return to routine activities quickly, but it’s normal to feel tightness for 1–2 weeks.

Common aftercare “don’ts” include:

• Avoid strenuous workouts for about 1–2 weeks (or per your provider)

• Avoid facials, facial massage, gua sha, or firm pressure on the area for at least ~10 days (often longer for deeper work)

• Consider postponing dental work / wide mouth opening for a few weeks if advised

• Sleep on your back with your head elevated for the first several nights

Your injector’s instructions should override generic advice.

Most patients describe pressure and pulling, not sharp pain, because providers typically use local anesthetic (sometimes with additional comfort measures). You can expect post-procedure soreness/tenderness that usually improves within days. If you’re anxious about discomfort, ask about the clinic’s pain-control protocol and what to take (or avoid) beforehand.

Longevity varies by thread type, area, skin quality, and lifestyle, but many clinics and educational resources cite a typical range around ~12–18 months, with some variability above or below that range. Threads dissolve earlier, but the collagen response can help support results beyond the thread’s presence.

Results may fade sooner when there’s:

• More advanced laxity than threads can support

• High facial movement/strong pulling forces in the area

• Weight fluctuations

• Smoking or significant sun damage

• Under-treatment (not enough lift/support for the tissue)

To help results last, follow aftercare closely, protect collagen with sun protection, and consider a long-term plan that may include skin tightening, collagen-stimulating treatments, or injectables if appropriate.

Some early issues (mild asymmetry, dimpling, tightness, small irregularities) may settle as swelling resolves and tissues relax. If there’s a complication like extrusion, persistent contour problems, or infection, management can include medical treatment, removal of exposed thread, or other corrective steps depending on the situation. This is one reason a provider’s complication-management experience matters.

Look for a provider who:

• Has advanced training and a strong track record specifically with thread lifts

• Can explain anatomy-based planning (vectors, depth, thread type)

• Shows consistent, natural-looking before/after results (with similar starting anatomy)

• Has a clear plan for complication management (infection, extrusion, irregularity)

• Uses sterile technique and appropriate patient selection

A great consult should include alternatives, not just threads.

Depending on what’s driving the concern (skin laxity vs volume loss), alternatives can include:

• Energy-based tightening (e.g., ultrasound or radiofrequency-based treatments)

• RF microneedling for texture + tightening

• Dermal filler for structural support (when volume loss is the issue)

• Biostimulants (e.g., collagen-stimulating injectables) for gradual firmness

• A tailored combination plan often gives the most natural result

The “safest” option depends on your anatomy and medical history—there’s no one best fit for everyone.