PDO Threads

Mesothread therapy belongs to the so-called thread lifting procedures, or “Embedding Thread Needle Therapy,” which translated from English means “therapy using a thread inserted with a needle.” It is a branch of Eastern medicine acupuncture and is used for facial and body treatments.

The mesothreads I use in my work are made of polydioxanone. Essentially, this is a suture material that surgeons use to stitch internal organs during operations. The threads are absorbed through hydrolysis over the course of 180 days. This mechanism of polydioxanone degradation is well studied and predictable.

Advantages of mesothreads:

• Fast and predictable lifting effect for facial soft tissues in cases of gravitational ptosis; prevention of gravitational ptosis in younger patients
• An alternative treatment for age-related changes in patients with fuller facial types and excess subcutaneous fat
• An alternative therapy for localized fat deposits; prevention and treatment of cellulite
• An alternative to botulinum toxin preparations (when it is necessary to preserve facial expressions)
• Can be combined with hyaluronic acid fillers and botulinum toxin
• Allows localized treatment in the nasolabial folds, perioral, and periorbital areas
• A structural lifting technique that is easy to perform in a cosmetic clinic setting

Main effects of mesothreads:

• Stimulates collagen production in the skin (most active during the first 2–3 months)
• Creates a supporting framework for the face, reducing sagging in the middle and lower thirds of the face (improves contour)
• Restores natural lymphatic drainage
• Relaxes expression wrinkles by reducing muscle hypertonicity
• Fills and smooths wrinkles. Unlike fillers, mesothreads do not cause excessive facial volume increase (“balloon effect”)
• Lifting effect for the eyebrows and upper eyelids
• Improves skin tone and normalizes pigmentation
• Restores missing volume and natural contours using a special mesh technique
• Lipolytic and anti-cellulite effect on the body

Indications:

• Improvement of skin quality and elasticity for all patient groups
• Anti-aging procedure, especially for patients with thin skin and fine-wrinkle aging type
• Optimal patient age: up to 60 years
• Body treatment for all indications, including maximum lipolytic effect
• Nasolabial folds and marionette lines
• Perioral and periorbital wrinkles
• Gravitational sagging of the cheeks and chin area
• Malar “bags” under the eyes
• Filling hollow areas in the cheekbones and lateral brow areas
• Brow and forehead lifting
• Age-related changes of the neck and décolleté skin
• Age-related changes of the inner thighs, buttocks, and abdominal skin

Mesothread therapy is performed as a course of 3–5 sessions with intervals ranging from 15 days to 2 months.

Structure of a mesothread
Mesothreads are a system consisting of a guide needle and the thread itself, fixed inside the needle opening. The thread is inserted into the skin and then the needle is withdrawn while the thread remains under the skin. Since the thread is purple in color, it may sometimes be visible through the skin; after about 3 weeks, the thread loses its color.

What happens to mesothreads in the tissues?
The threads gradually dissolve over 6–8 months, continuously stimulating the treated area and improving tissue metabolism. The best results are usually visible 2–6 months after the procedure.
Combination with other treatmentsLaser treatments are best performed 1 month before or 1.5 months after thread placement
Fillers: 1.5–2 months after thread placement
RF lifting: 1 month after
Massage: 1 month after
Mesotherapy and chemical peels: 2–3 weeks after
Combining with revitalizing products provides faster and more pronounced results

Contraindications
Tendency to form scars
Presence of inflammatory or infectious conditions (herpes, acne)
Skin neoplasms
Endocrine or cardiovascular diseases in the decompensation stage
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Avoid medications containing acetylsalicylic acid and NSAIDs for 7 days before the procedure

Post-procedure care
Avoid alcohol on the day of the procedure and for 3 days afterward
Avoid smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes as much as possible for 2–3 days after the procedure
Do not visit saunas or swimming pools for 3–4 days after the procedure
Avoid intense physical activity for 2 days before and 1 week after the procedure
A cold compress may be applied to the treated area
If bruising appears, arnica cream (such as Traumeel) may be used
Do not take NSAIDs for 2 weeks after the procedure
Treat injection sites with an antiseptic for 1–2 days after the procedure
If the thread becomes visible under the skin or gathers in folds, apply a fixing adhesive bandage to the area