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Here is the list of different types of PDO threads and their uses
Polydioxanone threads have gained popularity recently due to their effectiveness in lifting and tightening skin procedures. However, they come in different types, each with unique properties and uses. Understanding the types of PDO threads and their uses can help you select the right treatment. This article discusses various PDO threads and their use in cosmetic treatments.
PDO Thread Lift: An Overview
- Thread lift is a procedure that uses Minimally Invasive Non-Surgical Thread (MINT) to tighten and lift sagging skin. MINT is a unique biodegradable polyester thread made from a complex sugar polydioxanone or PDO.
PDO has been used in surgery for over 30 years. The procedure involves minimal pain and downtime, and the results can be noticed immediately. Patients can look and feel their best within 45 minutes without going under a knife.
Types of Threads
- PDO threads are a type of suture commonly used in thread lifting. The other two types of sutures are polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCA). Unlike PLA and PCA, PDO threads have been used since the 1980s and are made from a colorless polyester that breaks down in the body after six months.
When PDO threads are inserted into the skin, they prompt the body’s fibroblast cells to produce more collagen, the protein responsible for the skin’s elasticity and structure. Collagen depletion is a primary factor leading to aging skin. Thus, PDO threads trigger a boost in collagen production, resulting in firmer, smoother, and more youthful-looking skin.
PDO threads are further divided into three categories.
Mono Threads
- Mono threads are smooth, non-barbed threads commonly used in cosmetic treatments for skin tightening. They are typically placed in a mesh-like pattern under the skin to encourage collagen production. Treatment areas for mono threads usually include the necklines, forehead, and under eyes, with approximately 10-20 mono threads inserted for each area.
Mono threads are attached to an anchoring point on the scalp or face to sustain the lifting effect. However, it is important to note that mono threads alone do not provide significant lifting effects and are usually combined with cog threads for overall facial tightening and rejuvenation.
Cog Threads
- Cog threads are a type of thread commonly used in cosmetic treatments for lifting and slimming the jawline. They are similar to mono threads but with the addition of barbs that hook onto the underside of the skin, creating a support structure that lifts sagging tissue. Unlike mono threads, cog threads do not require anchoring points for support.
In addition, collagen formation also occurs around cog threads and their barbs, further enhancing the lifting effects of the treatment. Cog threads are particularly effective in the jawline area, providing significant lifting and slimming effects.
Screw Threads
- Screw threads, also known as tornado threads, are used in cosmetic treatments to give volume to sunken areas of the skin. They come as one or two threads intertwined around the inserting needle. When two threads are used, they are called multi-screw, which provides a stronger effect than a single screw thread.
Screw threads are typically used for general face-lifting, and their unique design allows for greater control over the direction of the lift. In addition to their lifting effects, screw threads can stimulate collagen production, improving long-term skin texture and elasticity. Interestingly, a mono thread can be inserted in a twisting fashion to create a similar effect to screw threads.
Alladerm offers PDO Thread Lift, Botox, Chemical peeling, Photofacial, and other cosmetic procedures. For more information, call us at 949-916-7166. We are located in Aliso Viejo, CA.