barbed vs smooth pdo thread lifts

PDO Thread Lifts are one of aesthetic medicine's hottest trends! They are more than half the cost of a traditional face lift, minimally invasive, non-surgical and are considered a "holistic" alternative to face lifts since they actually stimulate collagen production within your own body! Read below for some common questions regarding thread lifts in general as well as the different types Pacholec Center for Weight Loss offers in our St Petersburg, FL and Lutz, FL locations.
(1) What is a thread lift?
Thread lifts are minimally invasive, non-surgical face lifts. They are often dubbed the "lunch hour" face lift because they only require about 1-2 hours to complete and have minimal downtime. Threads are composed of Polydioxanone, more commonly known as PDO for short, which is a type of naturally-derived protein. This protein breaks down and dissolves in the dermal layer of the skin over time stimulating your own body to produce collagen in its place. Full biodegradation of the thread takes about 6 months, so collagen is gradually formed over time resulting in subtle and natural changes in the skin.
(2) What is a barbed thread?
Barbed threads have tiny hooks on the ends of them which help them to anchor to the skin and keep it taut while the collagen begins to form. These types of threads are used for more severe cases of skin tightening, jaw contouring and cheek augmentation. These threads require more time to insert, but also create a more dramatic result. They also require an injectable numbing agent for painless insertion. 
(3) What is a smooth thread?
Smooth threads are smaller, smooth PDO wrapped or coiled in different ways around a fine insertion needle to target fine lines and wrinkles in the forehead, nasolabial folds, eye troughs, crow's feet, smoker's lines around the lips and the "11" lines between the eyebrows. The coiling around the needle increases the surface area which adds extra collagen stimulation as the threads dissolve. This type of thread only requires a topical numbing agent and insertion does not take as long to complete. These types of threads can be used as an alternative to dermal fillers or used in combination with dermal fillers to produce long-lasting results!
(4) What is the downtime?
Bruising and swelling may occur for up to 14 days for barbed threads and 3-5 days for smooth threads. Pre-procedure recommendations will be given to the patient prior to the treatment to help minimize bruising effects. 
(5) How long do results last?
Immediate skin tightening results can be seen post procedure. Both barbed and smooth threads take about 6 months to fully biodegrade and collagen is produced in its place for 12-24 months. Maintenance is recommended at least once per year after optimal result has been achieved. 

As with most of our collagen-inducing procedures, thread lifts work best in combination with some of our other aesthetic treatments. It is a great idea to prep your skin with a chemical peel prior to your thread lift to stimulate fibroblast production, which also aids in collagen stimulation. Dr. Williams also recommends starting with Skinade collagen drink prior to your thread lift procedure so your skin is in optimal condition leading up to the treatment. Sculptra Aesthetic in combination with smooth threads is also a great way to rejuvenate your skin and regain your youthful glow! Dr. Williams will discuss all your options and the best combination therapies at your Aesthetic Consultation prior to your procedure. Schedule yours at either our St Petersburg, FL or Lutz, FL clinic today!