If you are starting to show signs of aging in your face and are considering a cosmetic medicine treatment to address them, you’ve probably heard about PDO threads. The product has actually been around for more than 60 years, first used as dissolvable sutures in surgical procedures, but has been introduced into the world of cosmetic medicine in the last 25 years or so.
They are prized for the amazing, natural-looking results they can produce for people, without the need for invasive surgery. Only local anesthetics are needed to make you comfortable before a PDO threads treatment, the procedures are completed in less than an hour, and you’ll be able to resume most of your day-to-day activities once it’s done.
Not only that, but the associated downtime and recovery time is very minimal, with most people experiencing minor swelling and/or bruising for about a week following a treatment.
If you’ve never had a PDO threads treatment done, though, you are probably wondering what realistic outcomes you can expect. In this article, we’ll discuss that topic in more detail.
- PDO threads offer natural-looking, gradual anti-aging results with minimal downtime.
- There are two main types of threads: barbed (for lifting) and smooth (for smoothing/fine lines).
- Results often start to appear immediately and continue to improve for up to 6–10 months.
- Collagen stimulation helps maintain results for 12 to 18 months, or longer in some cases.
- The treatment is non-surgical, quick (under an hour), and can be repeated safely.
Both types of threads stimulate the production of new collagen in the treatment area. This collagen will work to fully dissolve and absorb the threads in the body, and will also improve the firmness, elasticity, texture and tone of your skin.
Medically reviewed by: Elizabeth Williams RN
Updated: 9/22/2025
How Do PDO Threads Work?
There are two main types of PDO threads, and they work in slightly different ways.
Barbed threads are used in lifting procedures. The barbs that are on the end of the PDO threads grab onto parts of your skin and underlying tissue, allowing your practitioner to physically reposition parts of your skin.
These types of PDO threads are often used to address drooping or sagging skin, and a lack of definition.
The other type is called smooth threads. These don’t have barbs on them, so they’re not used as the main thread in lifting treatments, but they do also have profound effects on anti-aging results.
They are used in treatments that address “smoothing out” of parts of your skin, including addressing fine lines and wrinkles, and hollowness, for instance.
Both types of threads stimulate the production of new collagen in the treatment area. This collagen will work to fully dissolve and absorb the threads in the body, and will also improve the firmness, elasticity, texture and tone of your skin.
When Do Results from a PDO Thread Treatment Appear?
Typically speaking, you will be able to see some lifting effect from your PDO threads treatment almost immediately. This is especially true, of course, if your practitioner used barbed threads to address your concerns.
The full results of any PDO threads treatment, though, will appear gradually over time. Once your body recognizes that there’s a foreign object in it (the threads), it will get to work to break them down.
This will happen in a few months, typically, as it starts to produce new collagen. As this occurs, your body will slowly dissolve the PDO threads and then work to absorb them in the body — eventually dispelling of the water and carbon dioxide that’s produced during the hydrolysis process.
In most cases, this process will take anywhere from six to 10 months, though it can vary on a case-by-case basis depending on a number of factors. As the threads start to dissolve, you will see a gradual improvement in your appearance.
By about six months’ time, you should see the full effects of your PDO threads treatment, if not a little sooner. The new collagen that has been produced in the area will also work to ensure the results of the treatment remain well after the threads have fully dissolved, up to 18 months and maybe even longer for some patients.
Even once the results fade, the great part about PDO threads is that you can repeat the procedure as often as you like to achieve the desired results.
Because of how PDO threads work, they produce more natural-looking results than other options such as cosmetic surgery or even other minimally-invasive treatments such as injectable fillers.
This is one of the main reasons why PDO threads are seemingly becoming more popular by the day.
| Stage | Timeframe | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure | Day 0 | Threads are inserted during a quick, minimally invasive session. |
| Initial Results | Day 1–7 | Some visible lifting, mild swelling or bruising possible. |
| Collagen Production | Week 2–12 | New collagen forms, gradually enhancing the skin’s firmness and texture. |
| Peak Results | Month 4–6 | Full aesthetic improvements become visible. |
| Maintenance Phase | Month 6–18 | Results remain visible as collagen supports skin even after thread absorption. |
Get Amazing Anti-Aging Benefits with V Soft Lift’s PDO Threads
While results can vary from one patient to the next, generally speaking, PDO threads will produce natural-looking, anti-aging improvements in your face. These results will appear gradually over time, with most people still seeing the changes 18 months after their treatment, if not longer.
To get the best results possible, it’s essential to choose a practitioner who’s trained, experienced and reputable. You also want to make sure they’re using the best PDO threads they possibly can, such as those created by V Soft Lift.
All of our PDO threads products have been fully FDA cleared for usage in the United States. They are of the highest quality, ensuring that the results of your procedure are the best they can be and last as long as possible.
For more information, contact us today.
Q: How soon will I see results after a PDO thread treatment?
A: Some lifting effects can be seen immediately, but full results develop gradually over 6–10 months.
Q: How long do the effects of PDO threads last?
A: Most people experience visible benefits for 12–18 months, depending on individual factors.
Q: What’s the difference between barbed and smooth threads?
A: Barbed threads lift sagging skin, while smooth threads improve texture and reduce fine lines.
Q: Can the procedure be repeated?
A: Yes, PDO thread treatments can be safely repeated to maintain or enhance results.
Q: Are PDO threads better than fillers or surgery?
A: PDO threads offer more natural-looking results and collagen stimulation without invasive surgery.