PDO Threads · Non-Surgical Lifting
PDO Thread Lift
Lift. Reposition. Regenerate.
A non-surgical lift using fine absorbable threads to gently reposition sagging tissue and stimulate your own collagen — for a firmer, more refreshed face.
Not sure if it's right for you? Message us on WhatsApp — we'll happily answer your questions, no pressure.
Performed by a trained, insured practitioner · Leyton, London
Looking in the mirror and noticing…
- Cheeks that have started to drop
- A softer, less defined jawline
- Early jowls forming
- A heavier lower face
- A brow or neck that has begun to descend
You don't necessarily need surgery. You may simply need your own tissue lifted a little, held in a better position, and your collagen re-awakened.
A PDO thread lift is one of the most popular non-surgical lifting treatments available today. Using fine, absorbable threads placed beneath the skin, it lifts and repositions sagging tissue while stimulating fresh collagen — softening the signs of ageing without a scalpel.
What is a PDO thread lift?
PDO stands for polydioxanone — a soft, medical-grade material that has been used safely in surgery (for dissolvable stitches) for decades. In an aesthetic thread lift, very fine PDO threads are introduced beneath the skin using a thin needle or blunt cannula.
They work in two complementary ways:
Lifting threads (cog / barbed)
- Have tiny barbs or "cogs" along their length
- These grip the underlying tissue
- The thread is drawn upwards to reposition sagging tissue
- Gives an immediate, visible lift
Regenerating threads (mono / smooth / screw)
- Smooth "mono" threads or twisted "screw" threads
- Placed in a mesh to stimulate collagen
- Improve skin firmness, texture & quality
- Result builds gradually over the following weeks
Both types are fully absorbable. The threads themselves dissolve over roughly 6 months, broken down naturally by the body — but the lift and the new collagen they trigger last considerably longer, because your own tissue has been repositioned and strengthened.
How it works over time
The clever part
- Straight away — lifting threads physically reposition the tissue, so you see an immediate lift.
- Weeks 2–12 — your body responds to the threads by forming new collagen and fine supportive scaffolding around them.
- Around 6 months — the PDO threads themselves have fully dissolved, but the collagen and the repositioned tissue remain.
- The result — firmer, better-supported, lifted-looking skin that outlasts the threads.
Why clients love a PDO thread lift
An immediate lift
Cog threads gently reposition drooping cheeks, jowls and jawline — you often see a difference the same day.
Your own collagen, reawakened
The threads stimulate fresh collagen, so skin quality and firmness continue to improve for weeks after.
Subtle and natural
The aim is to restore your own contours, not change your face — you look refreshed, not "done".
No surgery, minimal downtime
No scalpel, no general anaesthetic and no long recovery — most people return to normal life quickly.
Fully absorbable
Nothing permanent is left behind — the PDO material dissolves naturally over time.
Wondering if it's right for you?
That's exactly what a consultation is for — a relaxed, no-obligation chat where we assess your face, talk through your goals, and give you honest advice. There's never any pressure to go ahead.
Prefer to ask first? Message us on WhatsApp ›
Which areas can be treated?
Face & neck
- Cheeks & mid-face
- Jawline definition
- Jowls
- Brow / eyebrow lift
- Neck & under-chin
- Nasolabial folds
- Marionette lines
- Nose refinement (nose thread lift)
Body (where offered)
- Mild skin laxity
- Upper arms
- Abdomen
- Knees
- Décolletage / crêpey skin
The right thread type, number and placement are chosen for your face and goals at your consultation. Body areas are assessed individually and are not suitable for everyone.
Is a PDO thread lift right for me?
You may be a good candidate if you have
- Mild to moderate skin laxity
- Early jowls or a softening jawline
- Cheeks that have begun to descend
- A wish to lift without surgery
- Good general health
- Realistic expectations
It may NOT be suitable if you
- Have severe sagging better suited to a surgical facelift
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have an active infection or skin condition in the area
- Have an autoimmune condition, bleeding disorder or a history of keloid/poor scarring
- Have very thin, fragile skin
- Expect a permanent or surgical-level result
Your results — realistic expectations
A thread lift gives you two results in one: an immediate lift from the threads themselves, and a gradual improvement in firmness and skin quality as new collagen forms.
When you'll see it
- Immediate lift visible on the day (though initially with some swelling)
- Swelling settles over 1–2 weeks to reveal the true lift
- Collagen-led firmness continues to build over 6–12 weeks
How long it lasts
- Typically around 9–18 months
- Threads dissolve by ~6 months; the lift & collagen outlast them
- Depends on age, skin quality, thread type & lifestyle
- Top-up or maintenance sessions can extend results
Results vary from person to person and cannot be guaranteed. Some clients benefit from a combination of lifting and regenerating threads, or from more than one session for the best result.
What happens during treatment?
Consultation & planning
We assess your skin, facial structure and goals, mark your lift vectors and agree the thread type and number with you.
Preparation
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and local anaesthetic is used to keep you comfortable.
Placement
The threads are gently introduced beneath the skin through tiny entry points using a fine needle or cannula, then lifted into position. Most clients describe pressure or mild pulling rather than pain.
Aftercare
You go home the same day. We give you full written aftercare — the first 1–2 weeks are important for protecting your result.
How many sessions will I need?
Many clients achieve a lovely result from a single session. Depending on the degree of laxity, the area and your goals, we may recommend combining lifting and regenerating threads, or a second session to build the result. Maintenance sessions can be planned as the effect gradually softens over time.
Recovery at a glance
Day 1–3
Swelling, tightness and possible bruising.
Week 1
Bruising settling; a pulling sensation is normal.
Week 2
Most visible swelling resolved; true lift revealed.
Week 4–6
Any mild dimpling settles; collagen building.
Month 3
Collagen-led firmness at its best.
9–18 months
Gradual softening; maintenance can be considered.
A guide only — everyone heals at their own pace.
Downtime & common side effects
A PDO thread lift is minimally invasive, so some downtime is normal. Most people feel presentable within a few days, though bruising and swelling can take up to 1–2 weeks to settle fully.
Common & temporary
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness & soreness
- A tightness or pulling sensation (especially with movement)
- Mild dimpling or puckering at entry points that settles
- Small bumps or areas of firmness while healing
The pulling sensation is normal and eases as healing progresses — it often feels most noticeable when you first open your mouth wide or smile broadly, which is why we ask you to limit big facial movements at first.
Important risks
A PDO thread lift is generally well tolerated, but it is a minimally invasive procedure and all treatments carry risk. We explain everything fully at your consultation before you decide.
Common & temporary
- Swelling & bruising
- Tenderness
- Tightness / pulling sensation
- Mild dimpling or puckering
- Small bumps at entry points
- Temporary asymmetry from swelling
Less common / more serious
- Thread migration or extrusion (a thread moving, or a thread end poking through the skin)
- Infection
- Persistent asymmetry
- Persistent dimpling or puckering
- Visible or palpable threads under the skin
- Nerve irritation or, rarely, nerve injury (altered sensation or muscle weakness)
- Granuloma (a firm inflammatory lump)
- Prolonged pain or discomfort
- Vascular injury (a thread affecting a blood vessel)
- Unsatisfactory result / need for further treatment or thread removal
When PDO threads are not advised
Please tell us if you
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have an active infection, cold sore or skin condition in the area
- Have an autoimmune or connective-tissue condition
- Have a bleeding disorder or take blood-thinning medication
- Have a history of keloid or poor scarring
- Have very thin or fragile skin
- Have had recent filler in the same area (may need caution or timing adjustment)
- Have a known allergy to PDO / polydioxanone
This is not a full list — your consultation and medical history form ensure treatment is safe for you.
Alternatives to consider
A thread lift is one of several ways to address laxity. At your consultation we'll help you choose what genuinely suits your face — sometimes that's threads, sometimes it's something else, and sometimes it's a combination.
Non-surgical options
- Dermal filler — to restore lost volume & support
- HIFU / Titan X — energy-based skin tightening
- Endolaser — laser lifting & tightening beneath the skin
- Combining threads with the above for a fuller result
Other options
- Surgical facelift — for significant laxity
- No treatment — always a valid choice
What our clients say
"I was nervous about threads but Husna talked me through every step and was completely honest about what they could and couldn't do. My jawline looks so much more defined and it still looks like me. The aftercare information was brilliant."
"The lift was visible straight away and got even better as the swelling settled. Husna checked in on me afterwards to make sure I was healing well. I felt genuinely looked after from start to finish."
Reviews shown are genuine client feedback from Layali Clinic patients. Individual results vary and a consultation is required to determine suitability.
Pricing
Because a thread lift is completely bespoke — the thread type, the number of threads and the areas are chosen for your individual face — pricing is confirmed for you personally.
Not ready to book? Ask us anything on WhatsApp ›
Frequently asked questions
Will it look natural?
Yes. The aim is to lift and support your own tissue and reawaken your collagen — so you look fresher and firmer rather than "done".
Does it hurt?
Local anaesthetic keeps you comfortable. Most clients feel pressure or mild pulling rather than pain during placement, with some soreness afterwards.
Is it the same as a facelift?
No. A thread lift is a non-surgical option for mild to moderate laxity. It won't replicate a surgical facelift for significant sagging — we'll always advise you honestly.
How long do the results last?
Typically around 9–18 months. The threads dissolve by about 6 months, but the lift and the new collagen they stimulate last longer.
Do the threads dissolve completely?
Yes — PDO is fully absorbable and is broken down naturally by your body over roughly 6 months, leaving nothing permanent behind.
Is there much downtime?
Most clients are back to normal quickly, but swelling and bruising can take 1–2 weeks to settle. Avoiding wide mouth movements and big facial expressions early on protects your result.
Will I need more than one session?
Many clients achieve a great result from one session; some benefit from combining thread types or a second session depending on their goals.
What does it cost?
It's fully bespoke, so we confirm your exact price at your consultation once we've assessed your face — see the pricing section above.
How do I know if I'm suitable?
The easiest way is a quick, no-obligation consultation (or a WhatsApp message with a couple of photos). We'll honestly tell you whether threads are right for you, or if another treatment would suit you better.
Ready to see if a thread lift is right for you?
Book a relaxed, no-obligation consultation — we'll assess your concerns, explain your options and create a personalised plan. You're never under any pressure to proceed.
Or simply message us on WhatsApp — we'd love to help you decide.
Layali Clinic · Leyton, London · 07787 708200
Layali Clinic · Leyton, London · 07787 708200 · layaliclinic@gmail.com · Privacy Notice