PDO mono threads

PDO (polydioxanone) threads are fine, dissolvable sutures placed under the skin in cosmetic practice. They stimulate collagen production and are used as part of an overall approach to skin treatments.
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Risks and possible complications are set out further down this page and we ask that you read them before booking.

Who it may suit
People looking to support skin quality and firmness as part of a broader plan, rather than seeking a single dramatic change. Suitability is assessed at your consultation.
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What to expect
The skin is cleansed and a topical anaesthetic is usually applied. Fine threads are introduced under the skin using a small needle or cannula. Appointments generally take 30 to 60 minutes depending on the area treated.
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Preparation and downtime
Avoid blood-thinning supplements where your doctor agrees it is safe to do so, and arrive with clean skin. Redness, swelling, tenderness or bruising is common for several days and settles gradually. Strenuous exercise, facials and extremes of temperature are best avoided for about a week.
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Risks and possible complications
Threads are a medical procedure and they carry risk, so it is important you know what can happen before you decide. Redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising and a pulling or tight sensation are expected in the first days to weeks. You may be able to feel the threads under the skin for a time, and small dimples, puckering or slight unevenness can occur while things settle. Less commonly, threads can move, become visible, or work their way out through the skin, and they may need to be removed. Infection is uncommon but possible, and warmth, spreading redness, increasing pain, swelling or discharge should be reported to us promptly. Small lumps or areas of firmness can persist for several weeks. Rare complications include a persistent nodule or granuloma, scarring, injury to a nerve causing numbness or altered movement, injury to a blood vessel, and prolonged swelling. Threads are avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding, where there is active infection or inflammation in the area, in people with a history of keloid scarring, and where certain medical conditions or blood-thinning medicines make bleeding more likely. The threads absorb over several months, so the effect is temporary and repeat treatment is needed to maintain it. Results build gradually, vary from person to person, and some people notice little difference. Josie will go through the risks that apply to you, how they are managed and what to do if you are concerned afterwards, before you give consent. You are welcome to call the clinic on (02) 9331 7228 with any questions.

Please note
An in-person consultation is required before any treatment. Results may vary from person to person. Potential risks, benefits and suitability are discussed with you before any treatment is provided.

Common questions

What are PDO mono threads?

Fine absorbable threads placed into the skin, made from polydioxanone — the same material used in surgical sutures. They're smooth threads, without barbs or cones.

Is this the same as a thread lift?

No, and this is the single most common misunderstanding I encounter. A thread lift uses barbed or cogged threads to reposition tissue. Mono threads have no barbs and don't lift — they're used for skin quality rather than repositioning. If lifting is what you're after, we should talk about whether this is the right treatment or whether anything is.

What does it feel like?

Numbing cream first. You'll feel pressure and some scratching as the threads are placed. It's tolerable rather than comfortable, and it's over reasonably quickly.

What's the downtime?

Expect some swelling, tenderness and possible bruising for several days. You may be able to feel the threads under the skin initially, which settles as they absorb.

How long do they last?

The threads themselves absorb over roughly six months. What you're left with afterwards varies between individuals, and anyone promising you a fixed figure is guessing.

Who isn't suitable?

Active infection or breakouts in the area, certain autoimmune and clotting conditions, pregnancy, and a history of keloid scarring are among the reasons to reconsider. Full history at assessment as always.

Can they be combined with other treatments?

Frequently, though sequencing and spacing matter. That's a planning conversation rather than something to decide on the day.