Sagging skin is one of the most noticeable and frustrating signs of aging. Whether it’s along the jawline, cheeks, or brows, skin laxity can reshape your entire facial appearance—often before fine lines or wrinkles even appear.
Here’s what most patients don’t realize: Not all facial rejuvenation requires surgery.
Two of today’s most effective non-surgical options are PDO threads and dermal fillers. Both can restore youthful volume and definition, but they work in very different ways. The challenge? Deciding which treatment will work best for your unique anatomy and goals.
At Robert Andrews Laser and Medical Aesthetics, we help patients navigate these choices every day. This article will explain the differences, benefits, and how to know which is right for you.
Keep reading—this might just change how you think about aging.
What Is a PDO Thread Lift?
PDO thread lifting involves placing biocompatible threads beneath the skin’s surface using a thin cannula. These threads, made of polydioxanone (PDO)—a material long used in surgical sutures—anchor the skin in a higher, tighter position.
Once in place, the threads provide immediate skin tightening. Over the following months, they also stimulate collagen production, helping the skin naturally strengthen and maintain its lifted appearance even after the threads dissolve.
Benefits of PDO Thread Lifts:
- Instant skin tightening and lift
- Long-term collagen stimulation
- Natural-looking results without adding volume
- Minimal downtime (most patients resume normal activities within days)
- Can target areas like the midface, jawline, neck, and brows
PDO thread lifting is often called the non-surgical facelift—for good reason.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable substances—typically hyaluronic acid-based—that add volume beneath the skin. Rather than lifting skin directly, they restore the volume lost through aging, weight changes, or genetics.
Different fillers have different consistencies and can be used to address:
- Cheek enhancement
- Lip augmentation
- Under-eye hollowing
- Nasolabial folds
- Jawline contouring
- Facial volume restoration
Fillers are highly customizable and allow for precise sculpting of facial features. Results are immediate and typically last 6 to 18 months, depending on the product and area treated.
PDO Thread Lift vs. Dermal Fillers: Key Differences You Need to Know
When it comes to anti-aging treatments, both PDO thread lifting and dermal fillers can produce remarkable, natural-looking results. But they are not interchangeable solutions. Understanding the key differences can help patients make informed choices and set realistic expectations.
Here’s a deeper look at how these two aesthetic powerhouses differ:
1. Primary Mechanism of Action
- PDO Thread Lift: Works by physically lifting and repositioning sagging skin using medical-grade threads placed under the skin. These threads also stimulate collagen production, enhancing skin strength and elasticity over time.
- Dermal Fillers: Add volume beneath the skin to fill in wrinkles, hollow areas, and contour facial features. Most fillers use hyaluronic acid, which binds water to add plumpness and hydration.
Expert Insight: Thread lifts provide structural support and reposition tissue, while fillers restore lost volume or add new contour. Some patients benefit from both for complete rejuvenation.
2. Targeted Concerns
- PDO Threads: Best for mild to moderate sagging skin, early jowls, drooping cheeks, and lifting brows or neck. Threads primarily address skin laxity and sagging.
- Dermal Fillers: Designed to correct volume loss, sculpt cheeks or lips, smooth nasolabial folds, enhance the jawline, or treat under-eye hollows.
Expert Insight: If gravity has caused sagging skin but volume remains, threads may be the answer. If hollowness or flattened features are the issue, fillers are ideal.
3. Onset of Results
- PDO Threads: Provide an immediate lifting effect, with continued improvement over the following months as collagen production increases. Results evolve gradually.
- Dermal Fillers: Deliver instant volume and contouring right after the procedure. Final results are typically visible within a week after any swelling subsides.
Expert Insight: Patients seeking instant gratification may prefer fillers, while those interested in long-term improvement often appreciate the progressive results from threads.
4. Duration of Results
- PDO Threads: Results typically last 12 to 24 months, with some patients experiencing benefits even after the threads dissolve, thanks to new collagen.
- Dermal Fillers: Depending on the type and area treated, results last 6 to 18 months before maintenance is required.
Expert Insight: While both treatments are temporary, thread lifts may have longer-lasting effects, especially in patients with robust collagen response.
5. Downtime and Recovery
- PDO Threads: Minor bruising, swelling, or tenderness may occur, usually resolving within a few days. Strenuous exercise and heavy facial movements are typically restricted for about a week.
- Dermal Fillers: Minimal downtime. Some patients experience mild swelling or bruising at injection sites, but daily activities can usually be resumed immediately.
Expert Insight: Both treatments are considered minimally invasive, but threads often involve slightly more aftercare and recovery planning than fillers.
6. Customization and Precision
- PDO Threads: Thread placement and vectoring can be tailored to address specific sagging patterns and facial structures, offering a custom lift.
- Dermal Fillers: Different types and viscosities of fillers allow for precise sculpting and layering, offering highly customizable results.
Expert Insight: An experienced provider can fine-tune either treatment to align with your unique facial anatomy and aesthetic goals. A personalized approach is key.
7. Cost Considerations
- PDO Threads: Higher upfront cost due to the complexity of placement and the longevity of results.
- Dermal Fillers: Typically lower per-session cost but may require more frequent maintenance.
Expert Insight: While fillers seem more budget-friendly initially, threads may be more cost-effective over time for those seeking long-lasting improvements.
8. Treatment Areas
- PDO Threads: Commonly used on the midface, jawline, neck, brow, and even under the chin for tightening and repositioning sagging skin.
- Dermal Fillers: Frequently applied to the cheeks, lips, temples, under-eyes, nasolabial folds, chin, and jawline for facial volume restoration.
Expert Insight: Threads and fillers often complement each other. Threads lift and tighten, while fillers add structure and contour for comprehensive rejuvenation.
9. Texture and Skin Quality Benefits
- PDO Threads: Promote collagen production that improves skin quality, firmness, and elasticity over time.
- Dermal Fillers: Some fillers offer minor hydration and firmness, but they primarily focus on restoring or adding volume.
Expert Insight: If you want skin rejuvenation along with lifting or volume, both treatments can be combined strategically for optimal texture and tone improvements.
10. Natural-Looking Results
- PDO Threads: Provide a subtle, natural lift without adding fullness, making them ideal for patients who want to avoid a “filled” appearance.
- Dermal Fillers: When administered by a skilled injector, fillers create natural-looking fullness and contour without appearing overdone.
Expert Insight: Your provider’s skill makes the biggest difference. Whether choosing threads or fillers, selecting an experienced, artistic injector ensures results that enhance—not alter—your natural beauty.
Why a Professional Consultation Matters
Choosing between PDO thread lifting and dermal fillers—or opting for a combination—requires expert evaluation. Every face ages differently, and every patient’s aesthetic goals are unique.
At Robert Andrews Laser and Medical Aesthetics, a consultation includes:
- Facial analysis: Muscle activity, skin elasticity, bone structure, and volume loss are assessed.
- Discussion of goals: Do you want subtle lifting, fuller cheeks, or comprehensive anti-aging results?
- Treatment plan: A customized approach using one or both techniques is designed based on your needs and lifestyle.
An experienced provider can also assess skin thickness, hydration, and collagen levels to determine how well you’ll respond to threads versus fillers.
Pro Tip: Be open about your previous cosmetic treatments and any concerns you may have. This will help your provider develop the safest and most effective plan.
Choosing the Best Option for You
Both PDO thread lifts and dermal fillers are powerful tools in the fight against aging, but selecting the right one depends on your anatomy, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle. If you want immediate volume restoration with flexible sculpting, dermal fillers may be the best fit.
If you seek subtle, long-lasting lift and collagen stimulation, PDO thread lifting could be your ideal solution. And if you want the best of both worlds? A strategic combination can deliver truly transformative results.
At Robert Andrews Laser and Medical Aesthetics in Colorado Springs, CO, we specialize in advanced non-surgical facelift techniques, including both skin tightening threads and anti-aging injectables. Our customized treatment plans focus on achieving natural, balanced results—so you can look refreshed, never overdone.
PDO thread lifting and dermal fillers are not just treatments. They’re pathways to restored confidence and timeless beauty.
Schedule your consultation today and discover what’s possible when artistry and medical expertise meet!
