PDO Thread Lift

Your Skin Has Changed. You Don't Have to Accept It.

If you've noticed your jawline softening, your cheeks losing their lift, or the skin around your brows feeling heavier, you're not imagining it. Collagen production naturally slows with age, and here in South Florida, years of sun exposure can accelerate that process significantly. The result is skin that looks a little less like you.

The good news is that restoring a lifted, refreshed appearance no longer requires surgery, general anesthesia, or weeks of recovery. A PDO thread lift is a minimally invasive in-office treatment that physically lifts sagging tissue while stimulating your skin's own collagen production from the inside out. Many patients leave our office looking noticeably more rested and defined — the same day.

What Is a PDO Thread Lift?

PDO stands for polydioxanone, a material that has been used safely in surgical sutures for decades. During a PDO thread lift, very fine threads made from this dissolvable material are inserted just beneath the skin using a thin needle or cannula. The threads physically reposition sagging tissue and, over time, trigger a natural collagen-building response that continues long after the threads themselves dissolve.

This is not a filler. It is not Botox. A PDO thread lift creates structural lift by repositioning tissue, not by adding volume or relaxing muscle. Many patients choose to combine threads with other treatments for a more complete result, but threads work effectively on their own as well.

• Material: Polydioxanone (PDO), the same material used in absorbable surgical sutures
• Mechanism: Physically lifts tissue and stimulates new collagen production
• Dissolves on its own: Threads are fully absorbed by the body over 4 to 6 months
• Common treatment areas: Jawline, jowls, mid-face and cheeks, brow, neck, and nasolabial folds
• Not a replacement for surgery: Best suited for mild to moderate laxity, not severe sagging
• Can be combined: Pairs well with dermal fillers, neurotoxins, and skin-resurfacing treatments

What to Expect During and After Your PDO Thread Lift

The procedure is performed right in our office and typically takes between 45 minutes and 90 minutes depending on the number of areas treated. A topical numbing cream is applied beforehand, and local anesthetic is used at insertion points to keep you comfortable throughout. Most patients report feeling mild pressure or pulling sensations rather than pain.

Here is what a typical PDO thread lift experience looks like at Dermatology Experts:

• Before your appointment: A consultation to assess your skin laxity, discuss your goals, and design a personalized thread placement plan
• Numbing: Topical cream followed by local anesthetic at each entry point — takes about 15 to 20 minutes
• Thread insertion: Fine needles or blunt-tipped cannulas are used to place threads precisely beneath the skin
• Immediate lift: Results are visible right away, though some initial swelling is normal
• Session length: 45 to 90 minutes from start to finish
• Downtime: Most patients return to light daily activities within 24 to 48 hours
• What to avoid after: Strenuous exercise, facial massage, sleeping on your side, and certain dental procedures for the first 2 weeks
• Visible swelling or bruising: Common for the first 5 to 10 days and typically resolves on its own

Results: What You Can Realistically Expect

Patients often notice an immediate improvement in lift and contour right after the procedure, though this early result may look slightly more dramatic before swelling settles. Over the following 4 to 6 weeks, as the threads stimulate new collagen formation, the results tend to soften into a more natural, refined appearance.

PDO thread lift results are not permanent, but they are meaningful. Here is a realistic picture of what many patients experience:

• Initial results: Visible lift immediately after treatment, often noticeable the same day
• Peak results: Many patients see their best outcome at 4 to 6 weeks as collagen develops
• Longevity: Results typically last 12 to 18 months, though this varies by individual skin quality, age, and lifestyle
• Thread absorption: The PDO threads dissolve naturally over 4 to 6 months, but the collagen they stimulate continues to provide support
• Maintenance: Many patients choose to repeat treatment every 12 to 18 months to maintain their results
• South Florida consideration: Sun protection after treatment is particularly important in our climate — UV exposure can accelerate skin aging and affect how long results last

Results look most natural when treatment is tailored to your facial anatomy and skin quality. That personalized planning is something Dr. Ayar prioritizes before every procedure.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a PDO Thread Lift?

A PDO thread lift tends to work best for patients who are beginning to notice the early to moderate signs of skin laxity and want to address them without committing to surgical downtime. It is not the right solution for everyone, and a thorough consultation helps determine whether this treatment fits your goals.

You may be a strong candidate if:

• You are in your 30s, 40s, or 50s and noticing mild to moderate sagging along the jawline, cheeks, or brows
• You want a visible lift but are not ready for, or interested in, surgical options like a facelift
• Your skin has lost some firmness but still has reasonable elasticity
• You are in good general health with no active skin infections in the treatment area
• You have realistic expectations and understand that threads lift and tighten but do not replace lost volume
• You are not pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are not currently taking blood thinners or medications that significantly increase bleeding risk (discuss with Dr. Ayar at consultation)

Patients with very significant tissue laxity may achieve better outcomes with a surgical approach. Dr. Ayar will be straightforward with you during your consultation about which option is genuinely right for your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions About PDO Thread Lift

Does a PDO thread lift hurt?

Most patients describe the experience as manageable rather than painful. A topical numbing cream is applied before the procedure, and local anesthetic is used at each insertion point to minimize discomfort. You may feel some pressure or mild pulling during thread placement, but significant pain is uncommon. Any soreness afterward typically resolves within a few days.

How is a PDO thread lift different from fillers or Botox?

Fillers add volume beneath the skin to restore fullness and smooth lines, while Botox relaxes specific muscles to reduce dynamic wrinkles. A PDO thread lift physically lifts and repositions tissue that has descended due to gravity and collagen loss. These treatments address different concerns and are often used together, but a thread lift is the only non-surgical option that creates true mechanical lift. Dr. Ayar will help you understand which treatment, or combination of treatments, fits your goals.

Is there any downtime after a PDO thread lift?

Most patients return to light daily activities within 24 to 48 hours. You should expect some swelling, mild bruising, and a sensation of tightness for the first week or two, which is normal. Strenuous exercise, facial massage, and sleeping face-down are typically restricted for about two weeks. Many patients choose to schedule their procedure on a Thursday or Friday so they can recover over the weekend with minimal disruption to work.

How long do PDO thread lift results last?

Results typically last between 12 and 18 months, depending on your age, skin quality, and how your body responds to treatment. The threads themselves dissolve within 4 to 6 months, but the collagen they stimulate continues to provide structure after that. Many patients choose to repeat treatment annually to maintain their results. Consistent sun protection, which is especially important in South Florida's intense UV environment, also plays a role in how long results hold.

Is a PDO thread lift safe, and are there risks I should know about?

PDO is a well-established material with a long safety record in medical sutures. When performed by a trained physician in a clinical setting, thread lifts carry a low risk profile. Possible side effects include temporary bruising, swelling, dimpling, or a sensation of pulling at insertion points — most of which resolve within one to two weeks. Rare complications such as thread migration or infection can occur, which is one reason it is important to have this procedure performed by a board-certified dermatologist rather than in a medspa setting. Dr. Ayar will review all risks with you thoroughly at your consultation.

Why Choose Dermatology Experts for Your PDO Thread Lift

A PDO thread lift is a precise, anatomy-dependent procedure. Where the threads are placed, how many are used, and at what angle they are inserted all determine whether the result looks natural and lasts. This is not a treatment where experience is optional.

Dr. Angelo Ayar is a double board-certified dermatologist who completed his residency at the University of Michigan, one of the most respected dermatology training programs in the country. His background includes a research fellowship focused on skin cancer, which reflects a level of clinical rigor that carries through every treatment he performs, whether it is Mohs surgery or a cosmetic procedure like a thread lift. He brings the same careful, patient-first approach to every service.

• Board-certified, physician-performed care: Dr. Ayar personally evaluates and treats every patient — this is not a medspa where procedures are delegated to non-physician injectors
• Full-spectrum dermatology: Medical, surgical, and cosmetic services under one roof means your skin health is always considered in full context
• Three convenient South Florida locations: Tamarac, Parkland, and Miami — serving Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Boca Raton
• Over 500 five-star reviews: Patients consistently describe Dr. Ayar and his team as warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in their outcomes
• Same-day appointments available: You should not have to wait weeks to be seen
• Personalized treatment plans: No two faces are alike, and treatment at Dermatology Experts is never one-size-fits-all

If you have questions about whether a PDO thread lift is right for you, or you want to explore how it might work alongside other treatments, the team at Dermatology Experts is ready to help you find the right path forward.

Ready to Lift and Refresh Your Look? Schedule Your Consultation Today.

A PDO thread lift can help you look like yourself again — rested, defined, and refreshed — without surgery and without a long recovery. If you are ready to learn more or you want to find out whether you are a good candidate, we make it easy to get started.

Call us at (954) 726-2000 to schedule your consultation. Same-day appointments are often available. PDO thread lift treatments may be eligible for payment with your HSA or FSA account — ask our team when you call.

• Three locations: Tamarac, Parkland, and Miami
• Serving: Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Boca Raton
• Same-day appointments available
• HSA/FSA may be accepted
• Phone: (954) 726-2000

You deserve a dermatologist who listens carefully, explains clearly, and treats you with the same skill and warmth you would expect from someone who genuinely cares about your results. That is what Dermatology Experts has been built around. We look forward to meeting you.