How Long Do PDO Threads Stay in the Face? A Realistic Timeline
Have you seen a PDO thread lift advertised as lasting 12 to 18 months and wondered whether the threads remain in your face for that entire period? The answer is more nuanced. PDO threads are temporary, absorbable sutures, but thread absorption and visible cosmetic improvement do not always follow the same timeline. Understanding this difference can help you set realistic expectations before treatment. How Long Do PDO Threads Stay in the Face? PDO stands for polydioxanone , a biodegradable material used in absorbable medical sutures. Once placed beneath your skin, the threads gradually break down through hydrolysis, a process in which water helps degrade the material. In general, PDO threads are absorbed over approximately four to eight months . Research has placed meaningful degradation at around 24 weeks, although the timeline varies with thread thickness, design, placement, and manufacturing characteristics. Therefore, the threads do not usually remain unchan...