PDO Threads – Pre Care Instructions

PRE-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS

  • Do not drink alcohol for 1-2 days prior to the procedure.
  • Do not smoke 1-2 weeks before and 1-2 weeks after the procedure.
  • Discontinue the use of blood thinners 2-3 days before the procedure. If taking Warfarin®, it is recommended to stop taking it 5 days prior to the procedure. Consult with your prescribing physician before discontinuing your blood thinners.

Before your PDO Thread treatment, inform your Provider about all your medical conditions. Be sure to let your Provider know if you:

  • Have had an allergic reaction to polydioxanone or Poly-L-lactic acid in the past;
  • Have a bleeding or autoimmune disorder;
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are currently breastfeeding

Tell your healthcare Provider about all the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Your healthcare Provider will need to know if you take a medicine that prevents the clotting of your blood (antiplatelet or anticoagulant medicine).

Complications

Although PDO threads offer minimal risk, every surgical procedure involves a certain amount of risk and complications.

  • Relapse: Over time and as you age, wrinkles and sagging will recur.
  • Bleeding & bruising: Like most other procedures, there is a possibility of bleeding and bruising. Bleeding should resolve after a couple of days and bruising could take up to 1-2 weeks. Bruising is quite normal and should be expected after the procedure.
  • Pain or discomfort: Due to threads being placed in the skin, there may be discomfort and tightness in the area for several days after the procedure but this will lessen over time. In the event you experience pain and discomfort, please consult with your Provider for the best treatment option.
  • Swelling or tenderness: Some patients may experience additional swelling or tenderness at the injection site and on rare occasions, pustules might form. These reactions might last for approximately 2 weeks (the barbed threads can cause swelling, asymmetry, hematoma bruising for up to 4 weeks), and in appropriate cases may need to be treated with oral corticosteroids or other therapy.
  • Infection: Although a very thin needle is used, common injection-related reactions could occur. These may include but are not limited to swelling, pain, itching, discoloration, bruising, or tenderness at the injection site. This may last from a few hours to a few days.
  • Inflammatory reaction: There is a possible risk of an inflammatory reaction at the injection sites for patients considering laser treatment, chemical skin peeling, or any other procedure based on a skin response after a PDO thread lift treatment, or for patients who recently had such treatments, and the skin has not healed completely.
  • Disorder of face movement: This is rare but depending on the pulling within the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) layer, it can affect a branch of the facial nerve and can cause disorders in facial movements, but this typically recovers over time.
  • Skin necrosis: Although extremely rare, this may occur if blood circulation is not sufficient.
  • Damage to deeper structures. Deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, and muscles may be damaged during the procedure. The potential for this to occur varies according to the location the procedure is being Injury to deeper structures may be temporary or permanent.
  • Thread visibility: Threads may become visible in patients with thin skin or when inserted into thin-skinned areas of the face. Should this occur, additional treatments or surgery may be necessary. Dimpling and bunching may occur, but this can usually be massaged out by the provider.
  • Asymmetry and thread migration: After the procedure, there is a possibility of asymmetry and thread migration, which may require further treatment or thread removal/treatment.
  • Thread breakage: In rare cases, the thread may break, which may require further treatment or thread removal/treatment.
  • Delayed healing: Complications may ensue due to smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, or making extreme facial expressions. Smoking and vaping are STRONGLY discouraged for 1-2 weeks following the procedure.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding possible contraindications for this treatment that are not listed, please contact us directly so that we can further advise you.