What side effects follow a PDO thread lift?
A thread lift is a medical procedure, so what shows up on your face afterward deserves a closer look. The useful question is which changes are expected and which need a call.
What the sources list
WebMD says thread lifts can cause complications, including skin texture changes, irritation, stiffness and infection.
Healthline says minor complications occur in 15 to 20 percent of procedures but are usually easily corrected.
What each one looks like
WebMD describes the four this way.
- Skin texture changes: some people have bumps or dimpling in the skin over the threads, and this effect may fade over time.
- Irritation: you may have redness that lasts after the procedure.
- Stiffness: in some cases, the threads make a person's face feel stiff or hard to move.
- Infection: there is a risk of infection from a thread lift since it is a medical procedure.
The first three are changes you can see or feel. WebMD ties the fourth to the fact that a thread lift is a medical procedure.
Ask this before the threads go in
Ask your provider which of these they see most often and how they handle each. Ask what they do if dimpling does not fade or redness lasts, and who you contact if the face stays stiff.
Where to read more
The Healthline guide to the PDO thread lift procedure, benefits and side effects covers the procedure from start to finish. For research on the technique, see a National Library of Medicine study on polydioxanone thread face lifts in patients with facial palsy.
Related questions on this site cover laser hair removal and who is allowed to operate a laser.