Close
Written By: Jeffrey Atlas, PA-C, Health Content Writer
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Gopal Grandhige, MD, FACS, Board-Certified Surgeon
Last Reviewed: August 8, 2026
PDO threads rarely cause keloids, but the risk is real if your skin already makes them. The tiny entry points from a thread lift close up without a mark for most people. If you have a history of keloids or thick raised scars, though, even a small puncture can set one off. So the honest answer leans far more on your skin than on the threads.
I’ve watched this play out with patients for years. The ones who run into trouble almost always had a warning sign in their history that a rushed consultation missed. Screening matters more than technique.
A keloid is scar tissue that grows past the edge of the wound that caused it. PDO threads enter the skin through a thin needle or cannula, so they can trigger a keloid in people prone to them. In patients with no keloid history, keloids after threads stay uncommon.
The rest of this guide walks through who’s at risk, why the collagen response is usually a good thing, and how to protect yourself before you book. I won’t get into pricing, since that shifts by clinic and by case.
Not every raised scar is a keloid. This is the first thing I clear up with patients, because the words get mixed up constantly.
A keloid is an overgrown scar. It grows past the borders of the original wound and pushes into healthy skin nearby. It can feel firm or rubbery, look shiny, and sometimes itch or sting. A keloid won’t shrink on its own, and it can keep growing for months after the skin has healed.
People confuse these two all the time. A hypertrophic scar is raised, but it stays inside the wound’s edges and often fades over a year or two. A keloid spills outside those edges and tends to stick around. Both come from too much collagen during healing, but the keloid is the more stubborn one.
This matters with threads. The punctures from threads along the neck or jaw are far smaller than a surgical cut. Smaller wounds give the skin less to overreact to. But keloids don’t need a big wound. A piercing, a vaccine, or a bug bite can start one in the wrong skin.
Yes, though it’s not the norm. For most people the odds sit low, because the insertion points are about the size of an IV entry. The threads are made from a material cleared by the FDA for closing soft tissue, and it dissolves on its own over several months.
The honest version is one most ads skip. Thread marketing loves the phrase “no downtime, no risk.” That’s not true. Swelling and bruising are common after any thread lift. And for keloid-prone patients, a real scarring risk sits behind that cheerful copy.
The needle or cannula does break the skin. Any break in the skin can start a keloid in someone whose body is wired for it. The chance is small, but small is not zero, and I’d rather you hear that up front than find out after.
Keloids come down to genetics and skin type more than luck. Some bodies simply lay down too much collagen when they heal, and no amount of careful technique changes that wiring.
Certain groups carry a higher risk. People of African, Asian, or Latin American descent are prone to keloids far more often than people with lighter skin tones. Family history counts too. About a third of people who get keloids have a close blood relative who also forms them. Age plays a part, with keloids showing up most often between the teens and early thirties. Pregnancy and puberty, both times of hormone shifts, can raise the odds as well.
Body location matters on top of all that. The chest, shoulders, earlobes, and cheeks form keloids more readily than other spots. That’s worth keeping in mind, since thread lifts often target the cheeks and jawline. None of this means threads are automatically off the table for everyone in these groups. It means the conversation before treatment has to be real, not rushed.
The collagen your body makes around dissolving threads is the whole point of the treatment. As the threads break down, your skin treats them as something to wrap up and lays down fresh collagen in the area. That firms and smooths the skin, and it’s why results can outlast the threads themselves.
The kind of thread shapes that response, so the threads used at a clinic are worth asking about. Cheap or poorly placed threads can trigger lumps or uneven texture. Good threads, placed well, give a smoother, steadier collagen build.
This internal firmness is not a keloid. A keloid is disordered, overgrown scar tissue that shows on the surface and keeps spreading. The collagen from threads stays organized and mild for nearly everyone. In one clinical study of facial scars, PDO threads brought clear improvement across every measure the reviewers tracked (p<0.001). That’s the collagen response doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.
Say the rare thing happens and a keloid does form. What then?
The first rule is don’t panic and don’t wait. A keloid caught early is far easier to manage than one left to grow for months. Common treatments include steroid injections to flatten the scar, silicone sheets, pressure therapy, and in some cases laser work. These often get combined, since no single fix works for everyone.
If a keloid needs more than home care, it’s worth seeing a specialist rather than trying drugstore creams for half a year. Cutting a keloid out sounds appealing, but surgery on its own has a high comeback rate, so it’s usually paired with steroids or other follow-up. The takeaway is simple. Keloids are manageable, but they respond best to early, professional care.
If you form keloids, threads are probably the wrong call for you. This is where I get blunt with patients, because it saves them grief later.
Research shows PDO threads work well for atrophic scars, the sunken kind left by acne or injury. They’re a poor match for keloid-prone or thick-scar skin. One clinical study found clear improvement in atrophic facial scars, yet those patients were chosen for that scar type, not for keloids. Using threads to chase a lift on keloid-prone skin is a different gamble entirely.
Tell your provider about any keloid, even an old one from a childhood ear piercing. That single fact can change the whole plan. A provider who shrugs it off is a provider to walk away from.
Good aftercare won’t override bad genetics, but it does lower your odds of a rough scar. The basics are dull and they work.
Keep the entry points clean and dry for the first day or two. Skip heavy sun on the treated area while it heals, since ultraviolet light can darken a forming scar. Don’t massage or press the skin hard in the early days unless your provider tells you to. And watch the area. If a spot starts to thicken, raise, or spread past where the needle went in, call your clinic early rather than waiting to see what happens. Early attention is the whole game with keloids.
Start with a real consultation, not a sales pitch. At Formation, Dr. Gopal Grandhige reviews your scar history and skin type before anyone recommends threads. A board-certified surgeon who specializes in aesthetic surgery, he screens for the traits that raise keloid risk instead of clearing everyone who walks in.
If you’re not a good candidate for threads, that’s useful to learn early, not after a scar forms. Radiofrequency skin tightening can firm loose skin without breaking the surface the way a thread does. For the right person, that’s a smarter path with less scarring risk.
Bring a few questions to your visit. Have you looked at my scar history? What threads do you use? What’s the plan if I react badly? A clinic that answers these plainly is one worth trusting. A clinic that dodges them is telling you something.
For most people, yes. Threads give a real lift with little downtime, which is why so many patients now pick non-surgical options over surgery. The collagen boost is real, and surface scarring is rare when the work is done well.
The catch is candidacy. Threads reward the right patient and punish the wrong one. So the question isn’t only whether PDO threads can cause keloids in general. It’s whether they can cause one in your skin, which is exactly what an honest consultation is built to answer.
ย Yes, and the risk is higher. People with Fitzpatrick skin types IV through VI form keloids more often, so thread punctures can trigger one. Many providers caution against threads for this group or screen carefully first.
ย Almost never. The entry points are about the size of an IV puncture and usually heal without a visible mark. Poor technique or an infection can raise that risk, which is why provider skill matters.
It's uncommon. Without a personal history of keloids or thick raised scars, the odds of forming one after threads stay low. An honest scar-history review at your consultation is the best way to gauge your own risk.
ย The lift and firming often last around 6 to 24 months. The threads dissolve within months, but the new collagen your body makes keeps working after they're gone. Results vary by person and skin quality.
ย No. PDO threads are FDA-cleared as Class II devices for soft tissue approximation, not approved for cosmetic lifting. Their use for facial rejuvenation is off-label, which is legal and common but worth understanding.
ย Share any history of keloids or raised scars, even an old one from an ear piercing. That single detail can change whether threads are safe for you and what your provider recommends instead.
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
