Does It Really Matter what Kind of PDO Thread is Used?

A lift based on thread lifting is one of the most effective and efficient methods of cosmetology that allows you to preserve and prolong skin youthfulness for a long time.

There are three main types of cosmetic threads available: polydioxanone (PDO), polylactic acid (PLA), and polycaprolactone (PCA). PDO threads are made from a synthetic biodegradable polymer that has been used in surgery for many years. When the threads are placed under the skin, they can squeeze and lift loose or sagging areas in various parts of the face and body to help reduce the effects of gravity and aging.

As the market offers a variety of cosmetic thread types, let us figure out what is the difference, and whether it matters at all what type of threads to choose.

Mono PDO Threads

Mono threads are made from PDO. They are smooth PDO threads without barbs that are inserted into the dermal tissues for a skin tightening effect, improving and stimulating collagen production around the threads. Skin tone improves after collagen begins to form around the threads. This thread is ideal to lift sagging skin on the neck, forehead lines, sunken cheeks, and expression lines.

To support the lift, the threads are attached to the “attachment point” of the scalp or face. Mono threads tighten the skin but without significant lifting, so they should be used in a combination with the Cog threads for an overall instant skin lifting and rejuvenation.

Typically, 10 to 50 monofilaments may be required to complete the correction. The smallest calibers are used to correct shallow, superficial wrinkles and fine lines. Threads of a larger caliber are used to work with the neck and to correct the sunken cheeks.

Areas of application:

• necklines, elimination of neck sagging;
• forehead, cheekbones, sunken cheek correction;
• drooping of the corners of the lips;
• the area under the eyes, elimination of mimic wrinkles;
• correction of hanging eyelids;
• facial asymmetry;
• offset of the oval line.

Mono threads are introduced, as a rule, with thin sharp needles—Meso thread gauge: 30G, 29G, 27G, 26G, 25G.

Cog Thread Lift

Cog threads have barbs and “hook” onto the skin to provide support and lift loose tissue. Cog threads do not need an attachment point, unlike mono threads, and the process of collagen production will take place around the threads and their barbs.

Application areas:

• Most effective for chin, eyebrow, and nose lift.

The material of the Cog threads:

• PLA – these are extra strong threads that contain polylactic acid. It enhances the production of collagen;
• PDO – such threads are made from polydioxanone, which is perfectly bio combinable with tissues;

Also, distinguish:

Double cog – made with notches on both sides, thanks to which it perfectly holds its shape even with a large amount of soft fabric;

One-sided Uni cuts – Cog with cuts of different directions, which are present only on one side. Relevant for younger skin;

Bi-directional cuts – in this case, the cuts on the thread are arranged in a circle. Effective for solving the problem of net wrinkles. The technique is especially relevant for patients aged 30 to 45 years.

Screw PDO Thread Lift

Screw threads can be in the form of one or two threads twisted together around the insertion needle. The screw thread has a great influence on the creation of a volumetric effect in the area of ​​the oval of the face. The production of collagen around the threads and their barbs helps restore volume and improves the texture and elasticity of the skin, resulting in a natural aesthetic result.

Fields of application: Screw threads are often used for general face lifting and volume augmentation in the area of ​​nasolabial folds, labial folds, and the formation of the oval of the face. Also, dense threads can be used to correct the areas of the chest, neck, abdomen.

They are used for subdermal injection into areas of moderate folds and areas of wrinkles. The spiral arrangement allows you to securely anchor in the tissue. Screw threads are more often used in sizes: 30G, 27G, 26G, 29G. The largest calibers are used for body lifting. In this case, the age of the patients should be taken into account. Women under the age of 35, as a rule, do not need such threads.

Spiral Threads – Twin Screw

Twin Screw threads belong to the new generations of meso threads. They have a pigtail structure that spirals around a laser-sharpened needle. These threads help to achieve a pronounced PDO thread lift effect on any type of skin. This is the best option for people with dense body fat.

Applications of Twin Screw threads: correction and elimination of double chin, sagging in the area of ​​the cheeks and nasolabial folds, as well as for the correction of the lower part of the face to give it a soft oval shape.

The following thread sizes are offered on the market: 25G, 26G, 27G. At the same time, a larger gauge is suitable for cheek correction, face contour lifting. Long threads are used to tighten the thighs, chest, abdomen, buttocks.

Braids Twin

Twin threads belong to the second generation of meso threads. They are woven together for maximum strength. Due to their particularly large diameter, they can only be used on areas of heavy and rough skin that require highly effective lifting. A feature of Braids Twin PDO thread lift procedure is the insertion in the middle and deep layers of the skin. Some doctors place these types of PDO threads in the muscle tissue.

The scopes of these threads are a circular face and neck lifting. At the same time, when choosing denser and longer threads, it is possible to use them for lifting the chest and abdomen. The main calibers used in cosmetology are 25G, 26G, 27G.

Dual-arm PDO Threads

Dual threads (meso threads on two needles) are an innovation in thread lifting. These PDO threads provide a long-lasting lifting effect due to tissue movement combined with a strong attachment point, tightening the skin and strengthening the ligaments.

The main calibers used in cosmetology are 25G, 26G, 27G. They belong to the second generation of meso PDO threads. They are woven for maximum strength. Due to their particularly large diameter, they can only be used on areas of heavy and rough skin that requires highly effective skin lifting. Dual threads dissolve within one year, as they are replaced by connective tissue fibers, which prolongs the lifting effect up to 2 years.

Applications of Dual-arm threads:

• the lower part of the face, the area under the chin;
• neck lift;
• smoothing of nasolabial folds;
• eyebrow lift;
• formation of a clear contour of the face.

The double thread is suitable for shaping the architectonics of the face. This is an excellent option for patients with distinctly deformed contours.

The thread is produced in sizes 19, 20, and 21G. When choosing a certain thread, a suitable lifting scheme is also selected in parallel. The finest thread can be used to smooth wrinkles and correct moderate wrinkles. Caliber 21G can be used for body work.

Thread bundles (Multithread)

Bundles are powerful collagen-stimulating PDO threads, consisting of several threads in one cannula. They penetrate into several areas subcutaneously, so the amount of collagen is significantly increased compared to a single thread anti-aging treatment.

The introduction of bundles of threads starts the processes of regeneration and restructuring many times more powerful and stronger. The effect of the threads-bundles is much more pronounced than from the mono PDO thread lift. These threads can be applied to wide and flat areas to give them more elasticity.

Areas of use:

• forehead, cheeks;
• wrinkles under the eyes;
• wrinkles on the neck;
• double chin.

Bundles of seven double-folded threads are inserted into the hypodermis of the nasolabial or labial folds. Also, these threads correct the so-called “bulldog cheeks” and, if necessary, change the contour of the lower jaw. The applicable needle size is 23G (60 mm).

The Multi PDO thread lift is considered the heavy artillery in the meso thread world. They are used not only to correct deep wrinkles and eliminate a double chin. Longer threads are actively used to tighten the figure and create its contour. They can work with the buttocks, chest, abdomen, create a more pronounced waist.

Thread Sizes

When choosing among different threads, the length, and type of thread, cosmetologists are guided by the thickness and type of skin. The most commonly used lengths are 38 and 50 mm. Depending on the desired effect, they are used: linear (smooth), spiral, serrated (notched).

To correct the face contour and décolleté line, it is better to use simple linear sutures from 25 to 90 mm. Spiral ones are designed to eliminate a double chin, raise eyebrows, smooth deep folds, and tighten the face contour. Screw threads are used for severe ptosis and deep wrinkles. They perform a lifting comparable to a surgical one. The thread size is determined as follows: carrier thickness volume range from 25G to 30G; thread length from 25 to 150 mm.

Long threads are used for lifting skin on the body. A fine needle and short suture are designed for periorbital work.

The size also depends on the modification: twin is a classic material of medium volumes; screw is used on dense skin or to create volume. For various areas of the face and neck, it is recommended to use:

• in the periorbital zone, it is advisable to take miniature needles 30G and smooth sutures 25mm or 38mm, up to 20 pcs to tighten the cheekbones 19G (100mm) bi-directional threads. One thread is set 3 cm higher, the other 3 cm below the corner of the cheekbones. For stability of the result supplemented with linear threads 30G (38mm) and 30G (25mm) (15-20 pcs.);
• for smoothing the forehead linear or spiral meso threads 38mm-50mm on needles 27G and 29G (15-20 pcs.); neck and neckline 30-40 threads are installed along the bottom line of the oval, recommended sizes – 27G (50mm), 26G (60mm);
• to eliminate ptosis of the middle and lower third of the face – spiral meso threads are installed in rows in a crossed order. Sizes – 27G (50mm) or 27G (60mm) – (20-30 pcs.);
• body parts – smooth threads with a needle length and volume of 27G (60mm), 26G (90mm) – (40-100 pcs.).

The Bottom Line

Thus, as you can see, PDO thread lift procedures can solve a wide range of aesthetic problems of the face and body. The market offers a variety of threads that differ by the material they are made of, their type, diameter, and length. According to various characteristics, PDO thread lift treat different sagging and aging issues on the parts of the face and body. Of course, it really matters what kind of threads is used in thread lifting, and the doctor should choose the type of a thread individually, basing on the patient’s age, skin type, and current skin condition to achieve the maximum natural and satisfying effect after the aesthetic treatment with cosmetic threads.