PDO Threads

Dissolvable threads give early sagging a little lift.
We use them sparingly, alongside other treatments.

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What Are
PDO Threads?

PDO threads are dissolvable sutures of polydioxanone, placed beneath the skin to lift early sagging along the jawline and cheeks while your skin builds firmer collagen around them. We use NovaThreads. Barbed threads hold the skin in a chosen direction, and smooth ones add support. A thread lift is not a facelift. It suits mild sagging and works best alongside other treatments.

At a Glance

Comfort
Numbing; placed through a fine needle
Downtime
A few days; possible swelling, bruising or tenderness
Results in
Right away, settling over about 2 weeks
Lasts
Varies; the threads dissolve over months
Sessions
Usually one; not repeated every visit

Who It’s For

For mild, early sagging.

Ideal For

Early sagging along the jawline, jowls and cheeks, where a little support in the right direction helps, usually alongside other treatments such as filler, Sculptra or Ultherapy. No single treatment fixes sagging on its own. Threads can be especially useful for people who do not want a facelift. Compare our injectables.

When to Wait

If you are thinking about a facelift in the future, tell your doctor, because threads leave firmer collagen that can make a surgeon’s work harder, so we use them sparingly. Heavy, loose skin is better served by surgery, and Dr. Idriss does not recommend threads around the eyes.

Threads or Ultherapy?

Ultherapy tightens with focused ultrasound and places nothing under the skin, whereas threads hold the skin in a chosen direction and build collagen around them. They answer different parts of sagging and are often combined. Volume loss is a third problem, better suited to Sculptra and Radiesse or filler. Compare every skin tightening option.

A woman's jawline and neck in sunlight
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“I do not believe in doing threads at every single visit.”

Dr. Shereene Idriss

The Treatment

1

Why the
Face Sags

Your doctor looks at why your face is sagging: lost volume, loosening skin or both. Threads are chosen only where a little support in the right direction will help, usually as one part of a plan.

2

Placed
Under the Skin

After numbing, each thread is placed beneath the skin through a fine needle along a planned line. The needle comes out and the thread stays behind, holding the skin in place.

3

Collagen,
Over Months

The lift you see right away settles over about two weeks. Over the following months the threads dissolve and your skin builds firmer collagen where they were.

Beneath the Surface

How a PDO thread lift works, in four stepsA cross section of skin that tilts downward to one side, and a magnified circle on the thread beneath it. Step 1: the skin sags a little, shown by a downward arrow. Step 2: a fine needle carrying a violet dissolvable thread enters the skin and runs beneath it along a planned line; the needle is withdrawn and the thread stays. Step 3: small barbs along the thread catch the tissue and the skin lifts back, shown by an upward arrow. Step 4: the lift settles a little, then the thread fades away as it dissolves and firm new collagen forms along the line where it was.

Step 1 of 4: Early sagging

Threads suit early, mild sagging along the jawline, jowls and cheeks, where a little support in the right direction helps, usually as one part of a plan.

Step 2 of 4: Placed under the skin

After numbing, each dissolvable PDO thread is placed beneath the skin through a fine needle along a planned line. The needle comes out; the thread stays.

Step 3 of 4: An immediate lift

Barbed threads hold the skin in a chosen direction, for a lift you see right away. That first lift settles over about two weeks.

Step 4 of 4: Collagen, over months

Over the following months the threads dissolve, and your skin builds firmer collagen where they were.

In Our Patients’ Words

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“

I highly recommend Dr. Fisher. I followed her from her previous practice and I continue to be happy with my results. I’ve gotten fillers and laser. Whenever I’ve wanted to do more, she was always honest with me. If I didn’t need it, I could count on her to tell me

Lillian J.

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“

I would recommend Dr Idriss a thousand times over and over. She is extremely knowledgeable, knows what will work and what won’t and will always give you an honest recommendations. You will never feel pushed into moving forward with any injections or procedures.

Hiva F.

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“

Dr. Fisher is amazing! She answered all of my questions and never pushed me onto anything. She cares about her patients. Will definitely come to her again if I need an opinion on anything relating to hair or skin.

Zubaida M.

Read more patient stories

Bryant Park, New York

Your Dermatologists

A thread runs beneath the skin along a planned line, so whoever places it needs to know exactly what lies there. Our doctors are board-certified dermatologists, trained in that anatomy and in handling a treatment that does not go to plan.

Both doctors share one philosophy, so either is a good place to start. Book online with Dr. Fisher, or call (212) 612-1520 for Dr. Idriss.

Questions, Answered

How much does a PDO thread lift cost?

What are PDO threads made of?

How long does a PDO thread lift last?

What is the downtime after a thread lift?

Is a thread lift as good as a facelift?

Will threads affect a facelift later?

Can threads lift the eyes or brows?

We do not perform cosmetic treatments during pregnancy. Breastfeeding patients are evaluated case by case.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shereene Idriss, board-certified dermatologist · Last reviewed October 23, 2026