DermNurse Medical Aesthetics

FEATHER LIFT - PDO THREADS

AN INNOVATIVE TREATMENT FOR INSTANT SKIN TIGHTENING AND LIFTING

A PDO thread lift is the only non-surgical procedure that lifts and tightens, producing subtle but immediate results while strengthening your skin as new collagen is formed where PDO threads are placed.

Michelle Shewchuk NP has been trained and certified in Vancouver by Dr. Darius Honar-Doust, PhD. DDSC., MSc., BSC. to perform the PDO threading technique and will customize treatments to target specific problem areas. 

Popularity

Growing

Price

Starting at $499.99

Treatment Length

45-60 minutes

How Long Does It Last?

Up to 1-2 years

Discomfort Factor
5/10

The PDO thread lift is very versatile, allowing practically all areas of the face to be treated, including the:

  • Eyebrow lift
  • Tear trough
  • Crowfeet
  • Medial jugo folds (Mid-cheek fold)
  • Cheek lift
  • Cheek contour
  • Reduce Nasolabial folds
  • Reduce marionette lines
  • Tighten lax skin
  • Lift jowls
  • Jawline contouring
  • Reduce lip lines
  • Reduce wrinkles
  • Support and lift neck skin

A PDO (polydioxanone) thread is a type of dissolvable suture that is inserted into the dermal layer of skin. The PDO thread is gently inserted under your skin, then tightened to lift your skin. Some PDO threads are smooth offering volume, while others are made to grip and lift your skin. Together, you and your provider will determine the best thread types and locations to meet your beauty goals.

PDO threads are a medical-grade product with characteristics that work well for a thread lift or to offer volume. The thread is strong and lasts a long time before dissolving and being absorbed by your body, allowing plenty of time for collagen production.

Your PDO thread lift is done under local anesthesia to numb your skin. Your provider then gently guides the thread below your skin in the areas being treated using a needle or cannula.

Most thread lifts take about 30-60 minutes, but you’ll learn more about your treatment during your appointment.

Eyebrow: 14 Jawline: 12-20
Nasolabial fold: 4-14 depending if cheeks need to be pulled back.

Retreat the treatment area in 6 months
Ensure no Vitamin C deficiency.
Avoid smoking and excess alcohol consumption.
Avoid heat to treated area within the first 4 weeks of treatment

A 5-10% lidocaine cream can be applied 30 minutes prior to the procedure. Or 2% lidocaine injection anesthetic blocks can be performed.

While many clients return to their normal routine, you may experience some temporary bruising, swelling, redness, and soreness.

With lifting threads, you will not be able to make big facial expressions or open your mouth wide for three to four weeks.

You can combine a thread lift with several other complementary treatments. Once your skin heals at the needle insertion points, you can consider options such as dermal fillers or treatments to improve your skin tone and eliminate age spots. No lasers, IPL for one month in areas where threads were placed.

Depending on the type of PDO thread inserted, results may be immediate.
Regardless of the type of PDO thread inserted, all PDO threads will dissolve within 4-6 months leaving behind new collagen.

Results typically last 9-12 months.

The threads dissolve in about 9 months after the treatment, but the results will still continue for many more months. It is recommended that the procedure be repeated in 6-9 months after the first procedure, to allow for a long lasting result of up to 3 years.

  • Infection
  • Neuropraxia - temporary loss of motor or sensory function
  • Thread extrusion- the thread is visible at the insertion site
  • Thread migration-the thread moves outside its originally placed spot.
  • Thread removal- The thread is pulled out
  • Palpable Threads- the threads can be felt under the skin
  • Visible threads- the threads are visible in colour or contour under the skin-this resolves over time.
  • Asymmetry- The results are uneven
    Skin folds or dimples- resolve over time.

Clients ages 30-60 with mild skin sagging without excessive skin thinning or lipoatrophy.

Absolute Contraindications:

  • Skin infection or inflammation or irritation in the treatment area
  • Pregnancy
  • Patients taking anti-coagulation medication
  • Patients with blood related diseases
  • Patients under 19 years of age and over 70 years

Relative Contraindications:

  • Serious sagging or thin skin
  • Keloid scarring
  • Autoimmune disease or low immunity
  • Immunotherapy
  • Diabetes

Safety is the most important advantage. With Dermal fillers there is a risk for the gel to unintentionally get into a vessel which can cause tissue necrosis or in rare cases blindness and stroke. PDO threads offer none of these risks. The biggest risk with PDO threads is infection. PDO threads are superior in providing skin rejuvenation, lift, and contour without causing excess puffiness, or heaviness which sometimes occurs with dermal fillers in effort to provide lift. PDO thread effects last longer than dermal filler. 


Precare Instructions

You are not a good candidate if you are under the age of 19, if you are pregnant, if you are a poor healer, if you have diabetes or are immunocompromised.

Avoid smoking and all kinds of alcohol must be avoided at least three days before the procedure as they can dehydrate the skin and affect healing.

Avoid consuming omega fish oils, vitamin E, chilli ginseng, green tea, ginger, garlic, krill, and other such supplements at least two days before the treatment since they can thin the blood can cause more bruising.

Avoid Aspirin-based products, like Naproxen/Naprogesic, Neurofen, and Ibuprofen, must be avoided one week before and two weeks after as they can cause bleeding, unwanted side effects and complications.

Avoid Vitamin C supplements two weeks before your treatment and one month after since this causes the threads to break down faster.

Rebook dental appointments, massage, IPL, Chemical peels, radio frequency, or any other facial treatment appointments to ensure none of them occur within 8 weeks of your Feather-lift.

If you have a history of cold sores please let your practitioner know. Valtrex 500mg the day before the procedure followed by 500mg per day for 3-5 days post procedure may be prescribed to prevent cold sore onset.

Arrive to your appointment with no make-up or sunscreen.

Your practitioner may give you more guidance on what to do before the treatment.

Aftercare Instructions

Ice the treated area for a few minutes 4 -5 times during the day for the first week if you are experiencing slight bruising or swelling.

Do not touch the treatment area the first day and avoid washing your face until the next morning.
Sleeping on your back is important the first 2 weeks.

Avoid applying make-up the first day.

Wash with gentle cleanser only for the first week. Avoid Retinol, Retin-A, glycolic acid, Vitamin C and other irritating topical products for 7-14 days. Apply non-scented gentle moisturizer, such as ZO hydrating cream, daily for 5-7 days instead.

Apply non-chemical sunscreen such as TIZO SPF each morning.

Restrict facial movements for one week.

Avoid any strenuous activity or heavy lifting for 2-3 weeks because this period of time is when pro collagen forms securing a stable thread position.

Don’t pull your facial skin, massage, scrub or exfoliate the skin for at least three weeks.

Avoid IPL, Fractora, C02 , Radiofrequency treatments, or chemical peels to treated area for 4-6 weeks.
Avoid saunas, hot tubs, and pools for the first 3 weeks.

You can take Tylenol (if no allergies) as directed for pain/discomfort the first week. Experiencing slight episodic discomfort such as stinging, pulling, or scratchy lasting 2-5 weeks after the procedure is normal, and will gradually subside. Pain at the insertion points is normal and may last several days. Report any pain after 2 weeks.

Feel free to take 25mg Benadryl (causes drowsiness) at night time 1 hour before bed for the first three nights if no allergy. This will help you sleep and will help prolong longevity of the threads.

Avoid aspirin or anti-inflammatories for the next two weeks after the treatment.

Avoid drinking through a straw for at least a week.

Eat soft foods, avoid tough meat, and drink healthy shakes the first week to avoid facial muscle strain.

Chewing gum should be avoided for at least two weeks.

Try keeping your head elevated for a week.

Follow the care guidelines the practitioner gives you regarding the incision wounds. Polysporin ointment should be applied twice per day for 5 days over the entrance points of the threads.

It is recommended that you sleep on your back with pillow elevated 30 degrees to prevent any swelling.

Asymmetry and irregularity of the tissue is normal and will resolve over the course of 2 weeks.

Avoid facial massage, face down body massage, facial straining or placing pressure on your face for 1 month as it may result in threads misalignment.

Avoid getting any dental treatment or wide opening of your mouth for at least three weeks after getting the PDO thread lift.

Effects should be immediate however, maximum effects will occur week4-6.

Book follow-up in 3 days, then 2 weeks, then 6 weeks.
***In case of unusual pain or swelling, it is important to consult your practitioner to get the appropriate treatment immediately at enquiries@fz1.a64.myftpupload.com or calling (403) 475-9296.

PDO Threadlift vs Surgical Facelift

 
  • PDO treats sagging jowls, loose necklines, loss of volume in cheeks, fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Instant results with minimal swelling
  • Non-surgical
  • No scarring
  • Lasts 12 or more months
  • Minimal Risk -light swelling and bruising
  • 24-48 hours downtime

Facelift

 
  • Treats fine lines and wrinkles by removing lax skin, fat, and tightening underlying muscles. Does not normally replace volume
  • 2 weeks discomfort with 4 weeks settling time
  • Surgical procedure requiring general anaesthetic, possible hospitalization, and narcotic pain management
  • Visible scarring risk
  • Extensive post procedure care
  • Effect lasts up to 10 years
  • Considerable risks including permanent poor cosmetic results, infection, and nerve damage

Frequently Asked Questions

Non-surgical treatments such as IPL, Laser, Fractora, Venus Viva, Chemical peels, should be performed prior to the threadlift or at least one month following the threadlift. If a brow threadlift is contemplated, Botox should be injected in the glabella one week prior to the threadlift procedure. Injection of dermal fillers (Restylane, Teosyal, Juvederm) should be performed about one month after the threadlift.

The threadlift procedure will help you look like a more youthful or refreshed version of yourself. You will not look like a different person.

 

The threads are made of polydiaxanone which has been used as a surgical suture material for about 30 years. It is a self dissolving suture material used in cardiac surgery and other surgeries. There is no documented cases of an allergic reaction to the material.

First, the threads are inserted into the tissue under the skin (sub-dermal-not in the skin itself). Next, hundreds of tiny barbs engage and distribute the weight of the overlying skin as the threads are pulled tight.

Although it is rare that clients are dissatisfied with the procedure, the threadlift is the only facelift procedure, which can either, be easily tightened or resolved completely. The threads dissolve by 9 months or can be removed sooner if needed.

Well-placed threads should never be visible through the skin although temporary swelling and bruising may be visible along the thread line at first. Improperly placed threads can result in dimpling of the overlying skin.

In some individuals with thin skin, a "buckling" of the end of the thread can occasionally be seen when the patient smiles. In most cases, this resolves spontaneously after 2 months. If the "buckling" persists or is problematic, the offending thread can be removed or replaced. The overall incidence of this is less than 5%.

There is a difference between short-term and long-term palpability (ability to feel the threads).

Immediately following the procedure, there is some swelling around the threads. This swelling is not visible, but it does make the thread feel "thicker". Therefore, you may be able to temporarily "feel" some of the threads. After one month, the swelling should be completely resolved.

After 4-6 weeks, your body forms a sheet of collagen fibers around the thread, essentially incorporating the thread into your tissues. At this point, 95% of the threads inserted are not be palpable.

However, about 5% of threads can be palpated distally (close to the nasolabial fold) after complete healing has occurred. This appears to be due to distal thread migration. Sometimes patients notice this as a "pimple-like" sensation under the skin. In many cases, this can be resolved with appropriate soft-tissue massage

Yes. The threadlift procedure works well with other procedures and will not prevent you from having any future procedures.

 

You may resume light work related activities immediately after your Threadlift facelift. However, if your job requires that you engage in significant bending/stooping or heavy lifting/straining (e.g. stocking), we recommend that you take 1 week off to reduce the risk of bruising and swelling.

 

A follow-up is recommended day three post procedure. At this time minor adjustments in the amount of lift and in facial symmetry can be made. Clients are then seen at 2 weeks and again at 6 weeks following the procedure if necessary.

 

A follow-up is recommended day three post procedure. At this time minor adjustments in the amount of lift and in facial symmetry can be made. Clients are then seen at 2 weeks and again at 6 weeks following the procedure if necessary.

 

Bruising and swelling do not occur in every client. Bruising can be reduced by avoiding aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve, Excederin, Motrin or other anti-inflammatory medications for 2-3 weeks prior to your Threadlift procedure (these medications cause thinning of the blood and are likely to result in bruising after an injection). The risk of bruising and swelling can be further reduced by following the after-care instructions.

In the event bruising is present, it should resolve within a few days to 2 weeks. Typically, concealer or foundation can be used to camouflage any visible bruising.

Note: Some clients may benefit from taking oral supplements of Arnica and Bromelain as directed starting one week before invasive procedures to reduce bruising and swelling risk

The beneficial results obtained from a PDO Threadlift procedure will last about 1-2 years. However, individuals age at varying rates due to differences in genetics and environmental exposure. Therefore, it is impossible to predict how long any individual will maintain the improvements obtained from their Threadlift and necklift procedure.

 

The Threadlift facelift procedure takes about 60-90 minutes. This time includes completing paperwork, anesthesia, treatment and aftercare instructions.