PDO vs PCL Thread Lift: Materials and How Long They Last

What is thread lifting and how does it pull the face?

Thread lifting inserts a medical thread beneath the skin and pulls sagging tissue in the intended direction to fix it. It is used mainly to improve facial contour, including cheek sagging, a blurred jawline and laxity around the nasolabial folds. Products with barbs on the thread surface hook and support tissue, while smooth threads without barbs are used to improve skin elasticity.

The effect can be understood in two parts: the physical lifting produced by the thread supporting tissue, and the elasticity improvement produced by the tissue reaction around it. Immediately after treatment the tissue is pulled and the contour changes; later, as the thread degrades, a collagen-forming response can occur in the surrounding tissue. The changes you can expect differ with the type of thread, its barb structure and where it is inserted, so the results should not be judged by material name alone.

What kinds of threads are used?

Threads are classified by material into PDO, PCL, PLLA and others. PDO stands for polydioxanone and PCL for polycaprolactone. Both are absorbable polymers that break down gradually in the body and are used in medical sutures and lifting threads.

The structure of the thread matters as much as the material. Cog threads with barbs on the surface are used to hook and pull sagging tissue, while smooth mono threads are inserted densely into the skin to improve elasticity. When comparing PDO and PCL, review the degradation rate, the product's shape, thread thickness and barb design together.

What are the characteristics of PDO threads?

PDO is a material widely used in medical sutures and breaks down gradually through hydrolysis in the body. PDO thread itself is generally described as being absorbed over about 6 to 8 months, although the actual period varies with thickness, structure and product design.

PDO thread lifting is used to pull tissue in specific areas such as sagging cheeks or the jawline and tidy the contour. Barbed PDO threads fix tissue to create an immediate pulling effect, while smooth PDO threads can be used to improve skin elasticity. It is the material most often encountered when considering a thread lift focused on supporting tissue and tidying contour over a relatively short period.

One point to remember: the period over which the thread is absorbed is not the same as the period over which the lifting effect lasts. Even after the thread degrades, tissue recovery and collagen formation can continue for some time, but the actual lifting effect is influenced by the insertion technique and the degree of skin laxity.

What are the characteristics of PCL threads?

PCL threads are made from polycaprolactone, a biodegradable polymer. Compared with PDO they break down more slowly in the body, and some products are designed to support tissue over a longer period. General sources quote an absorption period of about 12 to 18 months for PCL, but the actual period depends on the product's composition and structure.

PCL thread lifting uses the thread's support to pull sagging tissue and aims to induce elasticity improvement through the tissue reaction around it. The thread remaining in the body for a comparatively long time is what distinguishes it from PDO. Pure PCL threads and products that blend PDO, PLLA and PCL differ in composition, so the same duration should not be applied from the product name alone.

When choosing a PCL thread, review not only the absorption period but how much sagging tissue it can support, which area it is applied to and what barb structure it has. Where skin is significantly lax, planning treatment around the degree of sagging and the characteristics of the facial tissue matters more than simply changing the material.

In an animal study comparing PDO and PCL threads, PDO was absorbed at about 24 weeks while PCL remained for more than a year. Collagen formation increased over the first 12 weeks with both threads and declined afterwards.^[1]

How do PDO and PCL differ?

These periods are the approximate time for the thread itself to degrade in the body, and do not directly mean the period for which the facial lifting effect persists. Products containing PCL in combination may degrade differently from pure PCL threads, so the exact material and product guidance should be confirmed.

Read alsoHow threads are absorbed is covered in “Do thread lift threads dissolve over time?” (Korean).

What affects how long a thread lift lasts?

Duration depends on several factors beyond material. First is thread structure and fixation. Barbed threads hook and pull tissue, and the length, thickness, barb direction and arrangement change how tissue is supported. Even with the same PDO thread, different products and treatment designs produce different lifting results.

Second is the condition of skin and subcutaneous tissue. Skin with good elasticity and mild sagging needs a different level of support and treatment range from a face where cheek fat has descended significantly. Third is the recovery process: early on, avoid strong massage or pressure on the face and follow the treating team's aftercare guidance.

A longer absorption period does not guarantee a proportionally longer lift. Thread degradation speed and the force actually holding tissue are different concepts, so at consultation the absorption period and the expected duration of lifting should be confirmed separately.

When are PDO and PCL considered?

When choosing between PDO and PCL, look at the area you want to improve and the degree of sagging before the material name.

PDO thread lift: can be reviewed when you want to tidy sagging of the cheeks or jawline, or are considering lifting with a PDO product.

PCL thread lift: can be reviewed when you want a thread that degrades relatively slowly, or are looking into products using PCL.

Barbed thread lift: used to pull sagging tissue directly and improve contour.

Smooth thread treatment: applied to improve skin elasticity rather than to move tissue significantly.

Material and structure change the purpose of a thread lift, so at consultation it helps to confirm the exact product name, material composition, whether barbs are present, and the expected lifting change and duration.

What should be avoided after treatment?

Swelling, bruising, tightness or tenderness may appear at the insertion sites. During early recovery it is better to avoid rubbing or massaging the face firmly, opening the mouth wide, and strenuous exercise — anything that loads the treated area. The specific restriction period depends on the thread used and the treatment range, so follow the guidance provided.

If a thread becomes visible or feels like it is protruding, or if one side pulls severely or pain and swelling worsen, be checked at the clinic where you were treated. In thread lifting the insertion site and fixation method affect the result as much as the material, so it is important not to press or pull the area yourself if symptoms appear.

In a meta-analysis of 26 facial thread-lifting studies, the most common complication was swelling (35%), followed by skin dimpling (10%).^[2]

Thread lifting: common myths and facts