Sponsored by PDO Max
As more people seek nonsurgical solutions for natural looking facial rejuvenation, treatments like facial injectables and laser resurfacing have enjoyed increased popularity. But some of these treatments alone only offer a short-term and limited solution that does not provide a “lifting” effect or stimulate collagen production. PDO thread lifts are the only procedure that can reposition skin, nonsurgically, to a more youthful location while stimulating collagen production to address skin 
laxity and other moderate signs of aging with longer-term results of up to two years. However, prepping the skin with injectables and adding laser treatments to PDO thread procedures offer optimal outcomes.
Hulnara Castellon, NP, a board- certified nurse practitioner and aesthetic specialist in Hermosa Beach, Calif., specializes in full facial rejuvenation with a combination of treatments including PDO threads, neurotoxins and dermal fillers for optimal patient outcomes. “PDO threads with barbs can re-approximate and reposition skin tissue for a visible skin lift. The smooth PDO threads address skin concerns such as lost firmness, while the cyclone and multi PDO threads help plump up the area and restore lost volume,” she explained.
Ms. Castellon emphasized that using PDO threads in combination with neurotoxins provides better results than using either alone. “I always recommend pretreating with a neurotoxin in order to relax muscle pull and maximize thread longevity,” she explained. “We recommend pretreating an area with a neurotoxin two weeks prior to the thread procedure to weaken muscle pull of the treated area. This will allow the threads to effectively lift the tissue.” She elaborated that combining PDO threads and neurotoxins is more cost-effective for both patients and practices.
According to Annika Crosby, MD, founder of Physician SkinCare Services (Minneapolis, Minn.), PDO threads can be used creatively to lift the eyebrows, fix a “droopy” nose profile, and to fill nasolabial folds. “We can use the thinner smooth threads to fill static lines in the forehead (a “danger zone” with filler) and the neck, or we can use multiple smooth threads in a crosshatch pattern anywhere on the face, neck or body to improve the quality of the collagen to tighten the skin,” she clarified.
Combining PDO threads with neurotoxins is Dr. Crosby’s preferred approach to treating the eye area. “One of my favorite and most gratifying procedures is to use standard amounts of neurotoxin in the crow’s feet, then add micro-droplets of neurotoxin in the undereye area to weaken the orbicularis oculus, which when activated, exacerbates the look of crepiness under the eye,” she shared.
“I then add five to ten
smooth blunt 30G PDO threads through one to two portal holes lateral to or under the eye. This gives a subtle fill without swelling and decreases the muscle movement that is exacerbating the crepiness. The PDO threads dissolve over time and improve the quality of the skin under the eye,” Dr. Crosby continued. She explained this procedure can be repeated every four to six weeks for ongoing rejuvenation.
While dermal fillers are a popular adjunct to surgery, they can sometimes result in the “pillow face,” a puffy or uneven appearance of the skin. Dr. Crosby explained that combining PDO threads to enhance the support of facial structures, and fillers like SCULPTRA from Galderma (Ft. Worth, Texas) to stimulate bone and collagen growth, provide a youthful and age-appropriate appearance.
“Dermal fillers are quite benign and can be a wonderful adjunct to threads, but continual use of fillers alone can end up resulting in the “pillow face” effect if the supporting structures are not enhanced,” she advised. “PDO threads are one way to enhance the support of the facial structures, by pulling the tissues back and up, while stimulating collagen layers for improved skin quality.”
Providing patients with natural looking results by rejuvenating their skin to a more youthful appearance helps boost patient satisfaction. Combining PDO threads with other treatments will help aesthetic physicians achieve this goal, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and business success.
