Find trusted PDO thread clinics across the UK

Introduction to PDO Threads

For years there were only two ways to deal with sagging skin on the face: live with it, or go under the knife. PDO threads sit between the two. They give a visible lift and tighten the skin over time, and they do it through a handful of tiny needle entry points in a treatment that fits into a lunch break.

This is why PDO threading has become one of the fastest-growing options in facial rejuvenation in the UK. Below you'll find what the threads are, the science behind them, what the procedure involves, how results compare with other treatments, and how to choose a practitioner.

What Are PDO Threads?

PDO stands for polydioxanone, a synthetic, biocompatible polymer that the body breaks down safely. PDO threads are very fine absorbable sutures, many of them thinner than a human hair, that a practitioner places under the skin with a thin needle or blunt-tipped cannula.

After placement the threads work in two ways:

• Mechanical lift: barbed ("cog") threads grip the tissue beneath the skin and reposition it, giving a lift you can see straight away.
• Collagen stimulation: all PDO threads trigger a mild healing response that prompts the body to make new collagen and elastin around each thread. This gradually firms and thickens the skin.

The threads dissolve naturally in about six months, but the collagen they helped build stays in place. That's why results usually outlast the threads themselves.

What Is PDO Threading?

PDO threading, also called a PDO thread lift, is the procedure of placing these threads into targeted areas. Common areas include the jawline and jowls, cheeks and midface, nasolabial folds, brows, neck and under-eye area. Threads can also be used on the body, for example on the abdomen, arms and knees, to improve skin laxity.

Types of PDO Threads Available

Most treatment plans combine types. For example, cog threads lift the jawline while mono threads improve the quality of the skin over it.

History and Evolution of PDO Threading

Polydioxanone isn't new. Surgeons have used PDO sutures safely for decades, particularly in cardiovascular and general surgery, because the material dissolves predictably and causes little inflammation. Aesthetic thread lifting began with permanent, non-absorbable threads in the 1990s. Those threads raised concerns about migration and long-term complications, and they fell out of favour.

In the 2000s, practitioners in South Korea and elsewhere in Asia began using absorbable PDO threads for facial rejuvenation. The technique spread worldwide, and CE- and UKCA-marked PDO thread products are now widely used by aesthetic practitioners across the UK. Today's threads are finer, better engineered and placed with safer cannula techniques than the early versions. This is a large part of why the treatment has gone mainstream.

The Science of PDO Threads

How PDO Threads Work

When a thread is placed in the dermis or the subcutaneous layer, the body treats it as a small, controlled injury. That starts a well-understood cascade:

1. Immediate support. Cog threads anchor into the tissue and physically lift it. Mono and screw threads create a supportive scaffold.
2. Fibroblast activation. Over the next few weeks, fibroblasts (the skin's collagen-producing cells) gather around the threads and begin producing new type I and type III collagen.
3. Neocollagenesis and tightening. New collagen fibres form around the path of each thread. The skin becomes firmer, and fine blood vessels also increase, which can improve tone and radiance.
4. Absorption. Over about six months the PDO breaks down by hydrolysis into water and carbon dioxide. The new collagen structure remains.

The Benefits of PDO Threading

• Visible lift without surgery. No incisions, stitches or general anaesthesia.
• Minimal downtime. Most people go back to work within a day or two.
• Natural-looking results. Improvement builds gradually as your own collagen develops.
• Improved skin quality. Better firmness, texture and elasticity, not just position.
• Long-lasting effects. Results typically last 12–18 months and can be maintained with top-up sessions.
• Versatile. Treats the face, neck and body, and pairs well with fillers and other skin treatments.

For more detail on each benefit, read 5 Incredible Benefits of PDO Threads You Need to Know.

The PDO Threading Procedure

Pre-Treatment Considerations

A good practitioner starts with a thorough consultation to check your skin laxity, facial anatomy, medical history and goals. For roughly a week beforehand, you'll usually be asked to avoid blood-thinning medicines and supplements (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil and vitamin E) and alcohol, as long as your doctor agrees. This reduces bruising. Arrive with clean skin and no makeup.

PDO threads are generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with active skin infection in the treatment area, or for people with certain autoimmune or bleeding disorders. Always share your full medical history.

Step-by-Step Process of PDO Threading

1. Mapping. The practitioner marks entry points and thread vectors on your skin.
2. Numbing. Topical numbing cream and/or small injections of local anaesthetic are applied.
3. Insertion. Each thread is loaded in a fine needle or cannula, passed under the skin along the planned path, and the needle is withdrawn, leaving the thread in place.
4. Sculpting. Cog threads are gently tensioned to reposition tissue, and the excess thread is trimmed.
5. Aftercare. Entry points are cleaned, and you're given instructions for the days that follow.

The whole appointment usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how many areas are treated. For a full walkthrough, including the recovery timeline, see PDO Threads Explained: What to Expect During Your Treatment.

PDO Threads Before and After: Real Results

Search interest in PDO threads before and after is high, and it makes sense: people want to know what's realistic. Results depend on age, skin quality, the number and type of threads, and the practitioner's skill. Here is the typical pattern:

Transformative Journeys

Case Studies and Testimonials

The biggest changes people typically report are a sharper jawline with reduced jowls, lifted cheeks that soften nasolabial folds, a subtle brow lift that opens the eyes, and firmer, less crepey skin on the neck. Ask any practitioner you're considering to show you their own unretouched before-and-after photos of patients with a similar age and concern to yours.

See illustrated examples by treatment area in Transform Your Look: Real-Life Results from PDO Threads Before and After.

Comparing PDO Threading to Other Treatments

Traditional Facelifts vs. PDO Threads

A surgical facelift removes excess skin and tightens the deeper muscle layer (the SMAS). No thread can do that. PDO threads are not a replacement for surgery when laxity is severe, but for mild to moderate sagging they offer a meaningful lift with a fraction of the cost, risk and recovery. That's why they're often called a non-surgical facelift.

Costs vary a lot by location (London is usually at the upper end), provider and treatment plan. The figures above are broad ranges to guide you, not quotes.

Other Non-Surgical Options

• Dermal fillers restore lost volume. They can indirectly lift, but they don't reposition tissue or stimulate much collagen. Fillers and threads are often used together.
• Anti-wrinkle injections (botulinum toxin) relax the muscles that cause expression lines. They don't lift sagging skin.
• Radiofrequency and microfocused ultrasound heat deeper layers to tighten skin over months, with no immediate lift.
• Microneedling and lasers improve texture, tone and fine lines at the surface.
• Collagen biostimulators (e.g. poly-L-lactic acid injectables) gradually build collagen and volume.

PDO threads are unusual because they combine an immediate mechanical lift with long-term collagen building. That's why many practitioners see them as the bridge between injectables and surgery. If you're deciding how they fit into your regimen, read How PDO Threads Can Transform Your Skincare Routine Today.

Finding PDO Threads Near You

The single biggest factor in your result is the person holding the cannula. When you search "PDO threads near me" or "PDO threading near me", look past the introductory offers and check qualifications first.

Online Resources and Local Clinics

Start with consultant dermatologists and plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register, along with aesthetic clinics where treatments are carried out by registered doctors, dentists or nurse prescribers. Professional bodies and registers such as BAAPS, BAPRAS, the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and Save Face, clinic websites that show their own before-and-after galleries, and verified patient reviews are all useful ways to build a shortlist. The government has also announced plans for a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England, so it's worth checking what applies where you live.

How to Choose the Right Practitioner

• Registered healthcare professional (a doctor on the GMC register, a dentist on the GDC register, or a nurse on the NMC register) with specific training in thread lifting
• Strong knowledge of facial anatomy and a portfolio of their own thread-lift results
• Uses CE- or UKCA-marked threads and can tell you the brand
• Gives honest advice, including telling you if threads are not the best option for you
• Clear aftercare instructions and follow-up appointments included

Questions to Ask During Your Consultation

1. How many PDO thread procedures have you performed?
2. Which thread types and how many threads do you recommend for me, and why?
3. Can I see before-and-after photos of your own patients with similar concerns?
4. What side effects should I expect, and how do you handle complications?
5. What is the total cost, including any follow-up or touch-up visits?

What to Expect During Your First Visit

Your first appointment is usually a consultation only. Expect a skin assessment, a discussion of your goals and medical history, photos for your records, and a personalised plan with pricing. Some clinics offer same-day treatment. Good ones will never pressure you into it.

Use our guide to finding PDO threads near you for a printable checklist.

Conclusion: Is PDO Threading Right for You?

Ideal Candidates for PDO Threads

The best candidates are typically in their mid-30s to early 60s, have mild to moderate skin laxity, and are in good general health. They want a noticeable but natural improvement without surgery, and they understand that the results are temporary. People with very heavy or severely sagging skin will usually get better value from a surgical consultation.

Still unsure? Work through Are PDO Threads Right for You? 7 Key Considerations.

Final Thoughts on Facial Rejuvenation

PDO threads have earned their place as one of the most versatile tools in modern facial rejuvenation. They give a visible lift on the day, collagen-driven improvement over the following months, and a recovery measured in days rather than weeks. In the hands of a qualified, experienced practitioner, they are one of the most compelling non-surgical ways to turn back the clock.

Frequently Asked Questions