People who are looking to rejuvenate their skin and address problem areas associated with aging are increasingly turning toward PDO thread lifts. As a minimally-invasive alternative to traditional facelifts, these procedures provide many great results to patients who get them.
Some of the biggest advantages of PDO thread lifts are that they typically take less than an hour to complete, have minimal downtime and recovery time, are more affordable than other options and can be repeated as needed to achieve the desired results.
If you’re unfamiliar with the procedure, you might be wondering if a PDO thread lift is considered surgery. Below, we’ll discuss in more depth why these procedures are not considered surgery, and what they entail.
A PDO thread lift is not considered surgery because it doesn’t require general anesthesia and it doesn’t involve cutting your skin open. In many ways, it is much more similar to having an IV line inserted than it is traditional surgery.
Medically reviewed by: Elizabeth Williams RN
Updated: 4/9/2025
Why is a PDO Thread Lift Not Considered Surgery?
A PDO thread lift is not considered surgery1 because it doesn’t require general anesthesia and it doesn’t involve cutting your skin open. In many ways, it is much more similar to having an IV line inserted than it is traditional surgery.
Once you’ve had a consultation and had your skin examined, the provider of your choice will present you with the different options for how you can address your problem areas.
Before the procedure begins, they will make sure you are comfortable by using local numbing agents such as creams or a small injection2. During the procedure itself, you may feel some pressure and tugging3, but you shouldn’t feel any pain.
Then, your provider will insert the PDO threads into your skin using a preloaded cannula, which is exactly how an IV line is inserted. They will position the threads in the correct place to achieve the desired result, will snip off the ends of the threads so they don’t protrude out of your skin, and ensure symmetry before finalizing the procedure.
| Surgical Criteria | PDO Thread Lift |
|---|---|
| Requires General Anesthesia | No — Only Local Numbing Agents Used |
| Involves Cutting Skin Open | No — Threads Inserted with a Cannula |
| Long Recovery Time | No — Minimal Downtime, Immediate Return to Daily Activities |
| Requires Hospital Stay | No — Outpatient Procedure Done in Office |
| Permanent Scarring | No — Tiny Entry Points Heal Naturally |
How Does a PDO Thread Lift Work?
Some PDO threads have what are called barbs on the end of them. They are designed to actually grab onto parts of your skin after they are inserted, so that they can lift your skin up depending on where the provider positions them.
This results in a PDO thread lift mimicking the results of a traditional facelift. Your skin will be repositioned higher, for example, if you’re experiencing sagging skin or a lack of definition around your lips or under your eyes.
PDO threads are made from a synthetic material that is 100% biocompatible and biodegradable. As such, there is a very low risk for complications4, and your body will use natural processes to break the threads down over time — meaning you don’t have to ever have them removed.
As part of this process, your body will produce extra collagen in the area to help break the threads down. In doing so, the collagen will also work to make your skin look more supple, firmer and elastic.
Because of how the process works, a PDO thread lift often produces more natural-looking results than other options such as surgical procedures.
What is the Typical Recovery Time of a PDO Thread Lift?
Another main difference between a surgical facelift and a non-surgical PDO thread lift is the downtime and recovery time. In most cases, you will be able to resume most of your daily activities as soon as you leave the office after a PDO thread lift.
Your provider will give you a list of post-care instructions that you should follow to ensure that the healing process goes smoothly and the results are as good as possible.
This includes avoiding deep facial cleansing and massages, certain makeup and skin care products, intense workouts and activities, and some medications for a few weeks following the procedure. As mentioned, though, you will be able to do most of your day-to-day activities immediately.
Such post-care instructions are significantly less serious than they would be for any surgical procedure, but especially for a facelift, which might require you to rest in bed for at least a week or so.
| Step | PDO Thread Lift | Surgical Facelift |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | Quick skin assessment and planning | Detailed surgical planning, lab work needed |
| Anesthesia | Local numbing cream or injection | General anesthesia required |
| Procedure Time | About 30–60 minutes | 2–4 hours or more |
| Downtime | Minimal, resume most activities same day | Weeks of rest and limited activity |
| Healing and Recovery | Minor swelling, slight bruising for a few days | Swelling, bruising, stitches, and bandages for weeks |
| Results | Gradual, natural-looking improvement | Dramatic, immediate visible change |
V Soft Lift Produces High-Quality PDO Threads
As you can see, a PDO thread lift is definitely not considered surgery. It’s significantly less invasive, doesn’t take nearly as much time to complete and has next to no downtime and recovery time.
When you’re searching for a provider to do your PDO thread lift, make sure that you choose one who is experienced with the type of procedure and who has great reviews. Also, choose one who uses high-quality PDO threads such as those created by V Soft Lift.
We have created a long line of PDO threads that providers can choose from based on the type of procedure and the patient’s skin type. This helps to ensure that the results are as good as they possibly can be.
For more information, contact us today.
References
- https://www.academicallderm.com/blog/2020-9-24-what-is-a-pdo-thread-lift-understanding-your-non-surgical-facelift-options/
- https://drmatla.com/pdo-threads-all-you-need-to-know/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24581-thread-lift
- https://ruma.com/pdo-threading-low-risk-lifting-and-defining/#:~:text=PDO%20Thread%20Lifts%20performed%20by,themselves%20in%20a%20few%20days.
