PDO Threads
Lift what's softening — without surgery.
Five Thread Lifts
A PDO thread lift repositions softening tissue without incisions — absorbable threads placed beneath the skin provide an immediate mechanical lift and trigger a gradual collagen response as the body heals around each suture. At Desert Bloom, Dr. Natalya Borakowski, NMD performs five distinct PDO thread treatments across brow, midface, jowl, neck, and nose — each matched to a specific anatomical area and concern, rather than one generic lift applied to every patient.
Not every face should be threaded. If your laxity or tissue profile is better served by a facelift, filler, or a different modality, she will say so at the consultation.
PDO threads are one of several non-surgical treatment categories at Desert Bloom, alongside dermal fillers and botulinum toxin.
At a Glance
What it is: Absorbable PDO sutures placed under the skin to lift tissue and stimulate collagen
Five distinct treatments: Face, brow, neck, nose, and multi-zone non-surgical facelift — each for a different anatomy
Procedure time: Typically 30–90 minutes under local anesthetic, same-day discharge
Recovery: Many patients return to desk work within 1–3 days; bruising and swelling resolve within about a week
Results duration: Typically 12–18 months; outcomes vary by anatomy, technique, and individual response
Ideal candidate: Mild-to-moderate laxity with good skin quality
What Are PDO Threads?
PDO — polydioxanone — is an absorbable suture material originally developed for cardiovascular surgeries in the 1980s and used safely in medicine for decades. In aesthetic use, PDO threads are placed under the skin via a fine cannula under local anesthetic. Two mechanisms work together: an immediate mechanical lift as the thread repositions tissue, and a gradual collagen response as the body heals around the suture over several months. The thread itself dissolves in about 4–6 months; the collagen scaffold it leaves behind sustains the result for approximately 12–18 months — though outcomes vary based on anatomy, technique, and individual response.
PDO sutures are FDA-cleared for soft tissue approximation. Their use in aesthetic thread lifting is an off-label application performed by trained medical professionals.
Within the non-surgical facial rejuvenation landscape: threads are for lift and structural support, dermal fillers address volume loss, botulinum toxin (Botox) addresses dynamic movement, and surgery addresses advanced laxity. PDO threads are not a substitute for volume correction or muscle relaxation — they are specifically for lifting and collagen stimulation. If your concern is primarily volume loss, start with dermal fillers. If it’s dynamic wrinkling, see botulinum toxin. If laxity is significant enough that a non-surgical approach won’t produce a satisfying result, Dr. Borakowski will recommend a surgical referral.
Lift a Specific Area
Each anatomical zone has its own thread protocol. Select the area that matches your concern — the full page for that treatment opens in place.
Full-Face Rejuvenation Goals
For patients who think in outcomes rather than anatomy — the broader goals a PDO thread program can address.
Avoid or Delay Surgery
Goal: The multi-zone non-surgical approach for patients who are not ready for a surgical facelift — or not yet candidates for one
Rejuvenate Without Fillers
Goal: Structural improvement through collagen stimulation — no added volume. Best for patients who want a more lifted, supported look without dermal filler
Open the Eye Area
Goal: Lift the brow, reduce upper-lid heaviness, and refresh the upper face — without touching the eyelid itself
Compare Thread Types
Not all PDO threads do the same job. At the category level:
Smooth Threads
When the concern is texture, support, or mild laxity without visible descent. Smooth threads build collagen but do not lift or reposition tissue. They can be combined with barbed threads when both lift and skin-quality improvement are needed — usually as separate appointments because the techniques and post-treatment care differ.
Barbed Threads
When the concern is visible descent — jowls, jawline softening, brow ptosis — that needs mechanical repositioning. Barbed threads are the primary lifting threads, and they also act as a biostimulating implant — improving skin quality for roughly 12–18 months as the body remodels collagen around each suture.
Dr. Borakowski selects the thread category — or a combination — based on your assessment. Thread-specific technology, placement pattern, and duration detail live on each treatment’s page: PDO Thread Lift, Thread Brow Lift, Neck Thread Lift, PDO Nose Thread Lift, Non-Surgical Facelift.
PDO Threads vs Other Non-Surgical Options
PDO threads sit alongside fillers, neuromodulators, and surgical facelift as distinct tools for different tissue problems. This table compares them on the factors most patients weigh during a consultation.
| Factor | PDO Threads | Dermal Fillers | Botox | Surgical Facelift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary effect | Mechanical lift + collagen | Volume restoration | Muscle relaxation | Structural repositioning |
| Duration | Typically 12–18 months | 6–18 months (HA) | 3–4 months | 5–10+ years |
| Anesthesia | Local | Topical / local | Topical | General |
| Recovery | 1–7 days | Minimal | Minimal | 2–4 weeks |
| Reversibility | Not reversible (dissolves naturally) | HA reversible with hyaluronidase | Wears off | Permanent |
| Best for | Mild-to-moderate laxity, early jowling | Volume loss, contouring | Dynamic wrinkles | Significant laxity, advanced aging |
| Starting cost | from $1,180 | from $500/syringe | from $14/unit | $12,000+ |
For volume loss specifically, see dermal fillers. For dynamic wrinkles around the brow or eyes, see Botox. For surgical consultation, Dr. Borakowski can provide a referral.
Who Is a Good Candidate for PDO Threads?
PDO threads are best for patients with mild-to-moderate skin laxity who still have good skin quality and enough subcutaneous tissue for the threads to anchor. Most patients fall between age 35 and 65, though this varies.
Threads may not be the right choice if:
- You have significant skin redundancy that would be better addressed surgically
- You have an active skin infection, autoimmune condition, or bleeding disorder in the treatment area
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have permanent fillers in the planned treatment area
- You have unrealistic expectations for a non-surgical procedure
If you’re not sure whether threads are the right approach, that’s exactly what an assessment is for.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if threads are the right choice for me?
The five treatments address different anatomical zones — brow, face, neck, nose, full face — and are not interchangeable. The face map above maps concerns to treatments; if your situation spans multiple areas, a consultation clarifies which approach or combination applies. If surgery or a different modality would serve you better, Dr. Borakowski says so directly.Does it hurt?
The treatment area is numbed with local anesthetic before any threads are placed. Most patients describe the insertion sensation as pressure or tugging, not pain. Soreness and tenderness for a few days after is common.How long do PDO thread results last?
Typically 12–18 months. The thread itself dissolves in about 4–6 months, but the collagen it stimulates sustains the result beyond that. Outcomes vary based on anatomy, thread type, technique, and individual response — some patients see fading closer to 9–12 months, others maintain results beyond 18 months.What if I don’t like the result?
PDO threads are not reversible in the way HA fillers are (which can be dissolved). However, because threads dissolve naturally and the collagen response is the lasting element, any mechanical lift softens gradually as the thread resorbs. Serious asymmetry or complication is uncommon in experienced hands; when it occurs, it can often be addressed with additional adjustment.Are there serious risks?
Common side effects — bruising, swelling, tenderness — typically resolve within about a week. Uncommon effects include mild asymmetry or palpable thread as tissue settles. Rare but serious complications (infection, nerve irritation, vascular injury) are possible with any procedure and are strongly reduced by experienced placement and thorough consultation screening.Can threads be combined with other treatments?
Yes — threads are frequently part of a broader plan. Common combinations include Botox for dynamic wrinkles, dermal fillers for volume restoration, and RF microneedling for skin quality. Dr. Borakowski designs combined plans at consultation, with timing and sequencing chosen to avoid treatment interference.Your Provider: Dr. Natalya Borakowski, NMD
All PDO thread procedures at Desert Bloom are performed by Dr. Natalya Borakowski, NMD. Dr. Borakowski trained with Dr. Murat Tsintsadze — one of the world’s foremost authorities on PDO thread lifting technique — in Tbilisi, and presented her thread lift methods at IMCAS World Congress in Paris in January 2025. She developed Desert Bloom’s five-area thread program to give patients anatomy-matched outcomes rather than a generic lift.
Desert Bloom Skincare is located along the Shea Corridor in North Scottsdale, AZ.
“PDO threads are not one procedure — they are five different tools. The right choice depends on where the tissue has moved, not on a single technique applied to every patient.”
Book Your PDO Thread Assessment in Scottsdale
Before recommending any thread treatment, Dr. Borakowski evaluates your tissue structure, skin laxity, and specific concerns — then tells you directly which treatment, combination, or alternative fits your anatomy.
The consultation is complimentary. There is no obligation and no pressure to proceed. It is simply a conversation about what is realistic for your face and your goals.
References
- “Use of Barbed Threads in Facial Rejuvenation.” Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2008. DOI(PMC2840911)
- “Outcomes of polydioxanone knotless thread lifting for facial rejuvenation.” Dermatologic Surgery. 2015. DOI(PMID 25993611)
- “Vertical Lifting: A New Optimal Thread Lifting Technique for Asians.” Dermatologic Surgery. 2017. DOI(PMID 28430736)
- “Safety and Complications of Absorbable Threads Made of Poly-L-Lactic Acid and Poly Lactide/Glycolide.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2018. DOI(PMID 29607627)
PDO thread lifting is performed off-label for aesthetic facial rejuvenation; PDO sutures are FDA-cleared for soft tissue approximation. Results vary by individual anatomy, skin quality, and number of threads placed. Information on this page is educational and is not a substitute for a clinical assessment.
Content medically reviewed by Dr. Natalya Borakowski, NMD. Last updated: April 2026.
PDO Threads
- Neck Thread Lift$1800 and up60 and up
- Non surgical rhinoplasty$1250 and up60 and up
- Non-Surgical Facelift$250060 and up
- PDO Thread Lift$118015 minutes and up
- Thread Brow Lift$180060 minutes
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10752 N 89th Place, Suite 122B,Scottsdale, AZ 85260.
Phone:(480) 567-8180
E-mail:info@desertbloomskincare.com
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Desert Bloom Skincare is conveniently located in the Shea Corridor of North Scottsdale, within Edwards Professional Park I — minutes from HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale Campus.
Areas We Serve
We proudly provide expert non-surgical rhinoplasty and PDO thread lifts to patients across the Southwest:
- ScottsdaleNorth Scottsdale · McCormick Ranch · Gainey Ranch
- Paradise Valley
- PhoenixArcadia · Biltmore · North Phoenix
- Fountain Hills
- Cave Creek & Carefree