Combine PDO Threads for Even Better Results
Polydioxanone (PDO) threads have become a popular choice for those seeking a non-surgical facelift. By lifting and tightening sagging skin, this minimally invasive treatment can restore a more youthful appearance with minimal downtime. While PDO threads deliver impressive results on their own, combining them with other aesthetic treatments can create even more dramatic and long-lasting effects.
This guide will explore how you can pair PDO threads with other cosmetic procedures to achieve your desired look. We will cover which treatments complement PDO threads best, how to sequence them, and what benefits you can expect. For those considering PDO threads in Orlando, FL, this information will help you create a comprehensive and effective treatment plan.
What Are PDO Threads?
Before we get into combining treatments, let's have a quick recap of what PDO threads are and how they work. PDO threads are fine, absorbable sutures made from polydioxanone, a biocompatible material that has been used in medical surgeries for decades.
When inserted into the subdermal layer of the skin, these threads provide an immediate lifting effect. But the real magic happens over time. The threads stimulate the body's natural healing response, triggering the production of collagen and elastin—the proteins responsible for skin's firmness and elasticity. Over the next few months, as the threads dissolve, they leave behind a new network of collagen that continues to support and rejuvenate the skin.
This dual-action approach makes PDO threads an effective solution for addressing skin laxity, wrinkles, and fine lines.
Why Combine PDO Threads with Other Treatments?
While PDO threads are excellent for lifting and stimulating collagen, they don't address every sign of aging. Concerns like surface-level wrinkles, sun damage, uneven skin tone, or volume loss in specific areas might require a different approach. By combining treatments, you can create a synergistic effect, where the outcome is greater than the sum of its parts.
A multi-modal approach allows you to target different layers of the skin and address a wider range of aesthetic concerns simultaneously. This leads to more comprehensive, natural-looking, and harmonious results.
Top Treatments to Pair with PDO Threads
Here are some of the most effective treatments to combine with PDO threads for enhanced facial rejuvenation.
Dermal Fillers
What they do: Dermal fillers, typically made from hyaluronic acid, restore lost volume, smooth out deep wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. They are ideal for plumping lips, filling hollows under the eyes, and defining cheekbones.
How they complement PDO threads: While PDO threads lift sagging skin, fillers restore volume. Imagine lifting a deflated balloon—it will be higher, but still look flat. Fillers help "re-inflate" the face, providing the volume needed for a truly youthful appearance. Combining these two treatments can address both sagging and volume loss, creating a complete non-surgical facelift.
Sequencing the treatments: Generally, it is recommended to have fillers injected either before your PDO thread procedure or at least 4-6 weeks after. This allows the initial swelling from the threads to subside, ensuring precise filler placement. Your provider in Orlando, FL, can create a customized timeline based on your specific needs.
Botulinum Toxin (e.g., Botox, Dysport)
What it does: Botulinum toxin is a neuromodulator that temporarily relaxes the muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles—the lines that form from facial expressions like smiling or frowning. It is highly effective for smoothing crow's feet, forehead lines, and the "11s" between the eyebrows.
How it complements PDO threads: PDO threads lift the skin, but they don't stop the underlying muscle movements that cause dynamic wrinkles. By pairing them with Botox, you can address both static wrinkles (present at rest) and dynamic wrinkles. This combination leads to a smoother, more relaxed, and lifted appearance. Relaxing facial muscles with Botox can also help prolong the effects of the PDO threads by reducing the stress on the newly lifted skin.
Sequencing the treatments: Botox can often be administered during the same appointment as PDO threads or a couple of weeks before. Performing Botox first can help relax the muscles, potentially making the thread insertion smoother.
Microneedling
What it does: Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, uses fine needles to create micro-injuries in the skin. This process stimulates the body's natural collagen and elastin production, improving skin texture, reducing scars, and minimizing pore size.
How it complements PDO threads: Both treatments are powerful collagen stimulators. When used together, they amplify the skin's regenerative process. PDO threads provide the lift from beneath, while microneedling improves the quality and texture of the skin's surface. The result is skin that is not only tighter but also smoother, more radiant, and more even-toned.
Sequencing the treatments: It is best to wait about 4-6 weeks after your PDO thread treatment before undergoing microneedling. This ensures the threads have settled and the initial healing is complete, allowing the skin to respond optimally to the microneedling procedure.
Chemical Peels
What they do: Chemical peels use a chemical solution to exfoliate the outer layers of the skin, revealing a smoother and more refined surface underneath. They can address issues like sun damage, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and acne.
How they complement PDO threads: A chemical peel is an excellent way to enhance the surface-level results of a PDO thread lift. While the threads work on the deeper structural support of the skin, a peel will improve its tone and texture. This combination delivers a refreshed look, tackling both sagging and superficial skin concerns.
Sequencing the treatments: You should wait at least one month after your PDO thread procedure before getting a chemical peel. This waiting period is crucial to avoid irritating the skin while it's healing from the thread insertion.
Designing Your Personalized Treatment Plan
The key to successfully combining PDO threads with other treatments is a personalized plan crafted by an experienced aesthetic provider. During your consultation, your provider will assess your facial anatomy, skin quality, and aesthetic goals to recommend the most effective combination and sequence of treatments.
Factors that will influence your plan include:
- The specific areas you want to treat.
- The degree of skin laxity and volume loss.
- Your skin type and condition.
- Your budget and desired downtime.
A skilled provider will ensure that each treatment enhances the others, leading to a balanced and natural-looking outcome.
Achieve Your Best Results in Orlando, FL
Combining PDO threads with other aesthetic treatments offers a powerful way to achieve comprehensive facial rejuvenation without surgery. By addressing multiple signs of aging at once—from sagging skin and volume loss to surface texture and wrinkles—you can enjoy more significant and longer-lasting results.
If you are considering PDO threads in Orlando, FL, and want to explore a combined treatment approach, the first step is a thorough consultation with a qualified professional. An expert will guide you toward the best combination of procedures to help you look and feel your best.
Ready to start your journey toward a refreshed and revitalized appearance? Contact Vamped Aesthetics today to schedule an appointment and discover how a customized treatment plan can help you achieve your aesthetic goals.