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Thread lifting is not a new concept. It was first developed in 1999 by Dr. Sulamanidze in Russia. APTOS Threads (a non absorbable suture made of polypropylene) were used for lifting and tightening skin without surgery. Contour threads of similar make up were introduced in the US in the early 2000’s. There were problems with these procedures. Placement was fairly complicated, requiring deep fixation points with hooks on the suture. The downtime was several days, skin redundancy was frequent, and sutures extruded or needed to be removed. Complications rates were very high and by 2007, the Contour threads were taken off the market. Thread lifting was not ready for “prime time” at this point.
After heading “back to the drawing board”, a simpler, less invasive, less risk thread was developed, PDO Threads. PDO (also known as PDS) sutures have over 30 years of safety use in Cardiothoracic, Plastic, OB Gyn, and Trauma surgical procedures. This material (polydioxanon) is highly flexible, elastic, strong, and absorbable. It is hydrophobic (does not absorb water) so swelling is kept to a minimum. Gradually over 4-6 months, the suture is degraded by the body’s immune system and replaced with collagen. Patients with immune system diseases, on immunosuppressants, or smokers are not good candidates for threads.
The placement of these PDO sutures is done with minimal discomfort (somewhat similar to filler placed with a cannula). They are placed just underneath the surface of the skin and don’t require the deep fixation that the prior threads needed. Downtime is minimal, with only possible bruising holding you back from social events. The risks and complications have been significantly reduced as well. It is extremely rare that a thread needs to be removed because they are much smaller (therefore less noticeable) than prior threads and because they can be dissolved with using heat (most often RF energy). The ability for the threads to dissolve over time increases the comfort level of all involved in PDO Threads. Results can last from 12-18 months, depending on the area treated (lip area is maximum 4-6 months). Only about 30% of the full result is seen immediately. It takes about 3-4 months to see the final result as the body reacts to the thread.
There are 4 design variants of the PDO Threads:
- Smooth threads: these are used in areas where collagen stimulation (dermal thickening) is needed. Often they are placed in a cross-hatched pattern. They are commonly placed in areas of superficial wrinkles or crepey skin. Common areas used are: cheeks, neck, marionette lines, glabella, temples, forehead, lip lines, lips.
- Twisted threads: these are smooth threads which are coiled. They give more collagen production than the smooth. These are used mainly in the nasolabial folds and marionette areas.
- Single Barbed threads: these threads have barb on them (cut with a laser) to lift and tighten sagging skin. Once they are placed, the physician runs his hand over the thread to engage the barbs to help pull the skin up or back. The ideal areas for these threads are the mid/lower face, jowls, and upper neck. Keep in mind these can be used anywhere on the body and some physicians are using these in the knee area, chest, and breast area. Think of these threads as “creating a collagenous tendon” as the body breaks the PDO down and replaces it with collagen.
- Double Barbed threads: similar to the single barbs but they have 2 sets of barbs going in opposite directions. They are placed slightly differently and require an exit point as well. Once the suture is in position and engaged, both ends are cut at the level just below the skin. These are used in similar areas as the single barbed threads when cheek fullness is desired or additional lifting is needed.
PDO threads aren’t for everyone. Severe skin laxity won’t be improved with these. It is important that patients are volumized to their fullest prior to or during the procedure. It is vitally important that patients and physicians have realistic expectations for threads. The results won’t be comparable to surgery but will offer improvements which might push surgery out for a few years. The great thing about the threads is that more can be added down the road to maintain or get additional correction.
Dr. Weiner is a physician trainer for PDO Treads (Nova Threads) and was one of the earliest adopters of this new procedure in the US.
Blog: https://stevenfweinermd.wordpress.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/StevenFWeinerFacial
Website: http://www.theclinique.net
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