Smooth Threads
When used cosmetically, PDO smooth threads help tighten and smooth the skin by boosting collagen production and making one’s face look more youthful and rejuvenated. PDO smooth threads are dissolvable sutures that are extremely thin (the size of a strand of hair) and made of a neutral substance that’s very inert to our bodies. It’s the same material that has been used for stitching wounds for decades. When doctors noticed the improvement in skin texture, collagen, and firmness after a sutured cut had healed, the novel idea came about to load this suture thread onto a needle to help place it under the skin, specifically for skin improvement. This procedure worked so well that PDO threads are now one of the most popular procedures for skin enhancement.
Important Elements of This Service
There are also different shapes of PDO threads that are now available. The most popular types are molded, barbed, smooth, and twist threads. Smooth threads are the original thread utilized and continue to elicit collagen production over the six months of absorption after they’re administered. Twist threads are similar to smooth, except they have a spiral shape that fits more thread into a smaller area, making it more condensed. Barbed and molded are comparable but have tiny barbs that can pierce into the skin that lift and hold the skin up when inserted. For more information about barbed pdo threads, visit our page on the topic. Common areas where smooth threads are used include the lip lines, neck, marionette lines, and lower cheek lines.
Why Choose Us?
At Cosmetic Injectables Center in Sherman Oaks, because of our expertise in threads, we were selected by one of the best thread manufacturers in the US (Novathreads) to do clinical trials on their PDO threads as a principal investigator to receive FDA approval for their efficacy.
Our on-site doctor is also a national speaker and trainer on the topic of threads at major cosmetic symposiums, speaking to doctors, surgeons, and other medical providers on optimal thread techniques and placement. Since they arrived in the United States, our use of threads has provided us with many years of experience and mastery to share our knowledge with other providers.
Smooth Threads Benefits
The benefits of smooth threads are the long-lasting skin enhancement results achieved with this treatment. However, patience is necessary when being treated with smooth threads, as results are gradual and noticeable after four weeks. The results then continue to improve for the life of the threads which is six months and lasts up to two years. Other benefits of smooth threads are that it is minimally invasive, low cost, and an easy way to slow down skin’s aging process or reverse some signs of aging, making the skin look firmer and more youthful.
Smooth Threads Cost & Pricing Structure
The cost of smooth threads depends on how many threads are requested to treat the desired area of improvement. Our expert providers at Cosmetic Injectables Center in Sherman Oaks will be able to assess with you during your in-person consultation how many threads are recommended to achieve your desired results and what the cost will be at that time.
Our team has years of experience in providing Smooth Threads Treatments. Get in touch today!
How Smooth Threads Works
Before & Preparation
Before being treated with PDO smooth threads, there are several things to avoid, including blood-thinning medications such as Advil, Aleve, ibuprofen, or Aspirin. Individuals about to be treated with PDO smooth threads should also avoid herbal supplements such as St. John’s Wort, Omega 3s, and Ginko Balboa. It is also recommended that you refrain from drinking alcohol for the days leading up to your appointment. Certain things that are encouraged include taking Arnica pills and eating pineapple, as both help reduce the risk of swelling and bruising. Make sure to arrive at your appointment with a clean face free of makeup.
During the Procedure
Upon your arrival at Cosmetic Injectables Center in Sherman Oaks, you will be asked to fill out a brief questionnaire about your medical history and any allergies you may have. Then you will sit comfortably in one of our treatment rooms as our expert providers discuss with you what the procedure will entail and administer a local anesthetic to the treatment area. The procedure itself takes between five to ten minutes.
Aftercare & Recovery
Because smooth threads are not pulling skin against gravity the way barb threads do, there are no exercise activity restrictions after treatment. However, minimal animation of the treatment area is recommended to reduce the risk of expulsion. For example, if lip lines are treated, it’s best to keep smiling or pursing lips to a minimum.
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Am I a Good Candidate?
Any individual looking to boost their skin’s firmness and collagen content as a treatment or preventatively to slow the aging process is an ideal candidate for treatment with smooth PDO threads. However, when there is a significant amount of sagging skin, other modalities may be recommended as a combination treatment, whether with barbed threads or surgical modalities.
Similar & Related Procedures
Other collagen stimulating procedures include microneedling, PRP, PRF, laser treatments, Sculptra injections, and topical treatments. At Cosmetic Injectables Center in Sherman Oaks, we offer all the modalities mentioned above. Our expert providers can recommend which treatment option or combination of treatment options will best treat your specific needs and concerns.
Side Effects & Risks
Side effects and risks associated with smooth threads are much more minimal than barbed threads as they are much thinner. As with most injections, the risk of bruising is common, but it is reduced significantly at our office as we use threads loaded onto cannulas instead of needles. In other words, the modality that inserts the needles is not sharp, so it’s more comfortable and helps prevent bruises. Pain is usually non-existent or minimal. Another risk with larger (barbed) threads is their visibility in people with thin skin. However, this is very unlikely with smooth threads as they are much smaller. Temporary nerve irritation is possible, but again, usually minimal and short-lived (about two weeks). Thread extrusion is possible, but minimizing animation can reduce the risk. If a thread is expelled, however, there’s usually no sequela. If you have any concerns after your treatment, contact your provider at Cosmetic Injectables Center to schedule a follow-up appointment to address them.
Because our providers are highly skilled in the latest and most efficient techniques in PDO smooth threads, the risks and side effects of this treatment are minimal compared to other providers.
Our team has years of experience in providing Smooth Threads Treatments. Get in touch today!
Smooth Threads FAQs
What are smooth threads?
Smooth threads are comprised of the same dissolvable suture material that has been used in internal stitches for many decades, so they have been proven to be very safe to use. These sutures have anti-inflammatory effects, but they are used in cosmetic treatments because of their proven ability to induce collagen production in the skin. Smooth threads are clinically proven to make skin more firm and fight wrinkles and improve the skin’s overall appearance.
How long do smooth threads last?
The threads themselves last six months in the skin, but the collagen production induced by the threads’ existence can last up to two years.
How much are smooth PDO threads?
Smooth threads range between $25 to $40 per thread. The number of threads needed for each procedure depends on what area is being treated, the individual’s cosmetic goals, and their unique anatomy.
Are threads better than filler?
Threads and fillers do different things, so they are best used in combination. As we age, we lose collagen, hyaluronic acid, moisture, and elastin in our skin. Smooth threads help reestablish collagen and improve the firmness of the skin. In contrast, hyaluronic acid-based fillers help to increase the hyaluronic acid content, moisture, and volume in the skin. They both help revitalize the skin in different ways and usually compliment one another rather than one being better than the other.
Are threads better than Botox?
Botox and other neuromodulators relax muscles, whereas smooth threads induce collagen production and firmness in the skin, so they do different things. Again a combination of both is often recommended to relax specific muscles, preventing them from bending the skin, and firm the skin to resist skin folding during sleep or from rubbing. When used appropriately, they can achieve an overall improvement in the appearance of the skin.
What are the different types of PDO threads?
The different types of PDO threads include barbed threads, smooth threads, twist threads (or spiral threads), multi-threads (multiple smooth threads loaded into one needle), and molded threads. Each of the different types of PDO threads is comprised of the same polymer, but they are used for various purposes. Please click this link for more information about the different kinds of threads.
Which thread lift is the best?
For skin firmness, any type of PDO thread will work. The larger the size and the higher the number used, the better your results. However, barbed and molded threads would be the best option for lifting capacity as they have hooks that can lift the skin.
Is dimpling normal after a thread lift?
The answer to this question depends on the cause of the dimpling. If the dimpling is from the pulling of the thread or a result of swelling, then the answer is yes. Dimpling due to these causes is normal and goes away in one to two weeks after treatment. However, contact your provider to schedule a follow-up appointment if the dimpling is caused by the thread being dislodged or from being placed too superficially and does not subside within two weeks.
Is a thread lift worth it?
Yes! Most collagen-stimulating modalities only induce collagen within two to five weeks of treatment. With thread treatment, the threads stay in place for six months and continue to stimulate collagen 24/7 for six months. Therefore, treatment with smooth threads has one of the most extended phases of collagen stimulation of all modalities today.
Do smooth PDO threads lift?
Smooth threads are primarily used for collagen stimulation and do not generate a lifting effect. Barbed and molded threads are utilized when an individual is looking for lifting results.
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