Close
Written By: Jeffrey Atlas, PA-C, Health Content Writer
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Gopal Grandhige, MD, FACS, Board-Certified Surgeon
Last Reviewed: August 3, 2026
PDO thread is made of polydioxanone, a synthetic polymer your body dissolves over several months. It’s the same suture material surgeons have used to close incisions since the 1980s. So what PDO thread is made of comes down to a dissolvable medical stitch, repurposed to firm and lift skin on the face and neck.
PDO thread is made of polydioxanone (PDO), a colorless, biodegradable polyester. Your body breaks it down through hydrolysis over roughly 6 to 8 months. As it dissolves, it prompts skin cells called fibroblasts to build fresh collagen. That new collagen is what does the firming.
At Formation, patients light up when they hear the thread dissolves on its own, then deflate when they learn the lift goes with it.
PDO thread is made of one thing, polydioxanone, a lab-made polyester polymer. No fillers, no metals, no animal collagen.
Surgeons have used it for decades because it holds tissue while a wound heals, then dissolves without removal. Its presence sets off a mild healing response. Fibroblasts treat it as something to repair around, so they produce new collagen along its path. Collagen gives skin its structure, and we lose it steadily with age.
The material does two jobs. A barbed thread holds tissue in a lifted spot. The collagen it triggers keeps a little firmness after the thread is gone.
Not all PDO threads are shaped the same, and the shape decides the job. There are three main forms:
PDO isn’t the only absorbable thread out there. Two newer materials, PLA (polylactic acid) and PCA (polycaprolactone), turn up in some clinics. The difference comes down to how long they last and what they do best.
Thread material | Absorbs in | Best at |
PDO | about 6 to 8 months | Collagen stimulation, repositioning tissue |
PLA | about 12 months | Longer collagen effect, moderate lift |
PCA | about 12 to 15 months | Longest-lasting stimulation |
Longer isn’t automatically better. PDO breaks down faster, but it’s the most studied of the three and the one most providers know cold. I’d take a well-placed PDO thread over a longer-lasting one placed by someone still learning the material.
Most PDO thread side effects are minor and fade within a week or two. But minor is not the same as rare.
Pooled data from 2025 and 2026 reviews puts swelling between 16% and 34% of cases, bruising around 26%, and pain near 11%. Dimpling or slight asymmetry shows up in about 7%, visible or palpable threads in roughly 6%, and infection in about 2%. Serious problems stay uncommon when a trained provider uses cleared threads.
Some of that early lift is swelling, not thread, and it settles. The threads can also leave scar tissue along their path, which can make a future facelift harder to perform. That rarely makes the sales pitch, and it’s one reason some surgeons stay skeptical of threads.
RealSelf reviews land at about 3 in 4 patients calling it Worth It across roughly 437 ratings. Decent, not spectacular.
PDO threads work on the lower face, jawline, neck, cheeks, and brow area. They suit mild to moderate looseness, not heavy sagging.
If your skin is only starting to loosen, threads can tighten mild sagging enough to sharpen a jawline or lift a cheek. Heavy jowls are different, a thread will underdeliver and you’ll feel shortchanged. At Formation in Tampa, Dr. Gopal Grandhige is blunt about that line during consults.
Expect roughly 6 to 18 months, and treat any promise past that with suspicion.
The mechanical lift from barbed threads fades first, over weeks to months. The collagen effect lasts longer, but it’s modest and varies by person. Younger, more elastic skin holds results longer than older or thinner skin. You can read more on how long results hold and why they differ.
Actually, one framing gets this wrong. People treat PDO threads as a mini facelift. They aren’t. A facelift removes and repositions tissue and lasts years. Threads only nudge and stimulate.
It usually takes under 45 minutes, and you walk out the same day. The steps go like this:
Before your visit, skip alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and green tea extract for about 5 days, since all of them raise your risk of bruising.
Recovery is light. Most people head back to work the same day or the next.
Plan on some swelling and bruising for the first 1 to 7 days. Don’t rub or massage your face for a week, since that can shift a thread before it settles. Skip side-sleeping, hard workouts, saunas, and pursing your lips (so no straws) for a couple weeks. The full list of what to skip afterward is worth reading before you book, not after.
The material itself is one of the smaller pieces. What moves the price is who’s doing the work, how many threads you need, and where the clinic sits.
The rise in non-surgical treatments keeps pulling more clinics into offering threads, and quality ranges widely. One 2025 Japanese review of nearly 112,000 thread procedures found volume jumped roughly 45-fold in five years. A board-certified provider with high case volume works differently than a med spa where someone picked up threads over a weekend.
Provider skill is the biggest driver of both your result and your risk. Skimp there and you may pay twice, once for the threads and again to fix them. Formation’s plastic surgeon, Dr. Ahmad Saad, and Dr. Gopal Grandhige both stress that a thread session is rarely one and done.
So, what is PDO thread made of? Polydioxanone, a dissolvable surgical suture that firms skin by triggering collagen while it breaks down over 6 to 8 months. It’s a real tool for mild sagging and a poor stand-in for surgery on heavy laxity. Figure out which one you are before you spend a cent, and pick your provider like your result depends on it. Because it does.
PDO thread is made of polydioxanone, a synthetic, biodegradable polyester. It's the same suture material used in surgery since the 1980s. Your body absorbs it through hydrolysis over about 6 to 8 months, and as it dissolves it prompts new collagen in the skin.
Polydioxanone has decades of use in cardiovascular and orthopedic surgery, and the FDA has cleared it for soft-tissue use. Most side effects are minor and short-lived. Infection is uncommon, showing up in roughly 2% of cases when a trained provider uses cleared threads.
Most people see results for about 6 to 18 months. The physical lift from barbed threads fades first, while the collagen effect lasts a bit longer. Younger skin with better elasticity tends to hold the effect longer than older or thinner skin.
All three are absorbable threads, but the materials differ. PDO absorbs in about 6 to 8 months, PLA in around 12 months, and PCA in roughly 12 to 15 months. PDO is the oldest and most studied, which is why many providers reach for it first.
The procedure is done under local anesthetic, so most people feel pressure rather than pain during placement. Mild soreness and tenderness afterward are normal. Pain is reported in about 11% of cases and usually settles within a few days.
No. PDO threads suit mild to moderate skin looseness, not heavy sagging. A facelift removes and repositions tissue and lasts years, while threads give a lighter lift and stimulate collagen for 6 to 18 months. If your skin is heavily lax, a thread will disappoint.
Everyoneโs anatomy and aesthetic goals are uniqueโwhich is why a personalized assessment is key.
Ready to see if Renuvion is the right fit for your transformation?
DM us or give us a call at (813) 922-2920 to schedule your consultation.
#renuvion #jplasma #skintightening #skingoals
Tampa, we have a secretโฆ and ELLE Magazine just confirmed it. ๐โจ
Say hello to Picofy by InModeโofficially named the Best Glass Skin Laser by ELLE! And the best part? We are the ONLY clinic in Tampa that has it.
If youโve been dreaming of that effortless, glowing glass skin with zero downtime, this is your sign.
Why weโre obsessed with Picofy:
๐ Painless treatments (yes, really!)
๐ Safe & effective for ALL skin tones
๐ Ultimate skin rejuvenation, pigment reduction, and glow
Ready to upgrade your skincare routine?
Drop a ๐ช in the comments or head to the link in our bio to book your consultation!
You can also stop by for our open house this Thursday, July 30 to check it out in person!!โจ๐ฅ
โI just want to look like me, but fitter.โ โ Mission accomplished. ๐
Here is an incredible 3-month update for our patient following a circumferential body lift with liposculpting.
By addressing excess skin 360 degrees around the beltline while strategically sculpting the chest, shoulders, and abdomen, we achieved a smooth, athletic frame without sacrificing a natural appearance. He looks leaner, stronger, and completely redefined.
Ready to start your journey? DM us or click the link in our bio to book your consultation.
#tampa #360lift #plasticsurgeryclinic
RSVP (link in bio) and get a raffle entry.
โผ๏ธget another raffle ticket for every three friends you tag. Unlimited entries. You can essentially guarantee a prize !
Weโre going ALL OUT for our July 30th Party, and our raffle lineup this year is unmatched. ๐ฅณ
Every ticket you get puts you in the running for some serious glow-ups and top-tier treatments!
Take a look at what you could win:
1๏ธโฃ 3-Pack Picofy Laser Facialsโจ($3,375 value)
2๏ธโฃ COMPLETE Tattoo Removal โ Unlimited sessions until itโs gone! ๐ซ๐จ ($4,340 value)
3๏ธโฃ 100 Units of Botox ๐ ($1,500 value)
4๏ธโฃ Full Syringe of Filler ( @juvederm ) ๐ ($900 value)
5๏ธโฃ $500 Gift Card toward Peptides ๐งฌ
6๏ธโฃ FULL Permanent Makeup Brow Set (Nano/Powder/Combo)๐๏ธโจ ($1,000 value) @bladingbybrent
7๏ธโฃ Epicutis Gift Bag packed with luxury skincare ๐๏ธ
*Exclusive Event-Only Discounts just for showing up!* ๐ธ
Which prize are you claiming? Drop the number in the comments below! ๐๐ฌ
๐
When: July 30th
๐ Where: Formation (1315 S Howard Ave, Tampa)
โฐ Time: 5:30pm
Tag your party bestie who needs to enter with you! ๐ฏโโ๏ธ๐
Edited ยท 2d
1 Month Post-Op Transformation! ๐ฅ
Fixing previous surgical outcomes requires precision, expertise, and a tailored approach.
Hereโs how Dr. Grandhige transformed this patientโs core and chest:
The Challenge:
Previous tummy tuck left uneven abdominal fat distribution
High scar placement creating a visible โshelfโ effect
The Solution:
HD Liposculpture to refine and sculpt a athletic, masculine core and chest
Scar Revision to eliminate the shelf-like appearance and create a smoother profile
Keep in mind, at just 1 month post-op, swelling is still settling and we are nowhere near final results! Canโt wait to see this shape mature over the next few months. ๐ฅ
๐ฌ Questions about revision procedures? Drop them in the comments or send us a DM!
Trust the process. ๐ค
This beautiful tummy tuck transformation is only 1 month post-op!
What makes this journey even more special is where it began. Two years ago, this patient came to us wanting change but wasnโt quite ready for the operating table. Instead of rushing, we partnered with her for the long haul. Through the strategic use of GLP-1 therapy, dedicated nutrition guidance, and mindset coaching, she completely transformed her health to get to where she is today.
While she is already looking incredible, itโs important to remember that residual swelling and inflammation are completely normal at this stage. Healing takes time, but the foundation for an amazing result is officially set!
We are so incredibly honored to be a part of every patient`s unique journey, and we are committed to being with you every single step of the way.
Drop a โค๏ธ to wish her a continued smooth recovery!
#TummyTuckJourney #PlasticSurgeryResults #BodyTransformation
Thinking about breaking up with your ink? ๐
Here is exactly why Formation should be your go-to for tattoo removal:
1๏ธโฃ We use PICOFY: Our advanced picosecond laser treats all ink colors. No stubborn blues or greens left behind. ๐จ
2๏ธโฃ Fewer Sessions: Your time is valuable. Our laser targets ink more efficiently, meaning you get results in fewer visits than traditional lasers. โฑ๏ธ
3๏ธโฃ Practically Painless: No, seriously. We can inject lidocaine under the skin to completely numb the area. Say goodbye to the โrubber band snapโ feeling! ๐โจ
4๏ธโฃ Safe for ALL Skin Types: Our laser is highly precise and safe for every beautiful skin tone, minimizing the risk of hyperpigmentation. ๐ค๐ค๐ผ
Bonus reasons to choose Formation:
โจ Certified Laser Experts: We donโt do โone-size-fits-all.โ Your treatment plan is completely customized to your skin, ink depth, and goals.
โจ Fading vs. Full Removal: Whether you want a clean slate or just want to fade a piece enough for a flawless cover-up, weโve got you covered.
Stop living with a tattoo youโve outgrown. Tap the link in our bio to book your free consultation today! ๐ฒ
#TattooRemoval #PicoLaser #PainlessTattooRemoval #InkRegret #FormationTattooRemoval
NOW is the time to start planning for next years summer body!
Schedule your consultation today to determine the next steps in your unique journey: https://formation.janeapp.com
#bodycontouring #Tampa #hdlipo
Face, neck, and chestโbecause your glow shouldnโt stop at your jawline. ๐๐
We are obsessed with the Picofy Laser for total skin rejuvenation.
Why we love Picofy:
โจ Full Coverage: Treats the delicate skin on your neck and chest just as effectively as your face.
โจ The Benefits: Boosts collagen production, shatters unwanted pigment, minimizes pores, and smooths skin texture.
โจ Minimal Downtime: Get that radiant glow without the lengthy recovery.
โจ Safe for ALL Skin Tones: Unlike older laser technologies, Picofyโs ultra-fast pulses deliver incredible results safely and effectively across the entire Fitzpatrick scale.
Ready to level up your skin game? ๐ค Click the link in our bio to book your consultation!
#Picofy #PicofyLaser #SkinRejuvenation #LaserSkinToning #AllSkinTypes
We previously posted this beautiful patientโs immediate before and after following her PDO Lifting Thread treatment.
Take a look at her fantastic results now that the 10 threads we placed are settled.
Send us a DM or click the link in our bio to schedule a consultation to discuss what treatments are the right fit for you!
#Tampa #Beauty #LiftingThreads #beforeandafter
