This page describes one type of thread
We keep recommendations before and after the treatment, the full list of complications and how to handle complications in one place, on the thread treatments page. They apply to all three types.
The content is for information. It does not replace a consultation, an examination or an individual medical assessment.
On this page
How revitalising threads work
The threads are inserted under the skin with thin needles, without an incision. The material is biodegradable and is gradually absorbed into the tissue, leaving behind a supporting network.
The presence of the threads stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin. An effect on microcirculation is also described, meaning better nourishment and oxygenation of the tissue. The change concerns the density, elasticity and colour of the skin, not its shape, and builds up over weeks.
This is what sets this group apart from lifting threads. Without barbs there is no mechanical support, so revitalising threads do not lift tissue that has sagged. If the problem is the oval of the face, lifting threads are more suitable.
PDO, PCL and PLLA, how they differ
Three materials, the same logic of action, different absorption times and different areas of application.
PDO, polydioxanone
The most commonly used material. It is absorbed gradually, stimulating collagen production within the treatment area.
Face, neck, décolletage.
PCL, polycaprolactone
It is absorbed more slowly than PDO, which means the effect lasts longer. A material with high elasticity.
Body skin: abdomen, buttocks, arms.
PLLA, polylactic acid
It stimulates collagen production and repair processes in the skin. The same acid is found in hard biostimulators.
Deeper wrinkles, more pronounced loss of firmness, body skin.
The choice of material is up to the doctor and depends on the area, the condition of the skin and the expected duration of the effect. We have described the full list of threads used in the clinic, together with the PDO variants, on the thread treatments page.
Threads under the eyes
The eye area is one of the more common areas for this group of threads, because they are placed shallowly and do not add volume. With thin, greyish skin of the lower eyelid, this makes it possible to work on the quality of the tissue without changing its shape.
Qualification here is more cautious than in other areas. The eyelid skin is thin and prone to swelling, and dark circles under the eyes do not always come from the quality of the skin: they can be pigmentation or the result of volume loss, in which case the approach is different. We have described this on the dark circles under the eyes page.
Treatment areas, face and body
Face
Work on skin quality: smoothing fine wrinkles, tightening pores, evening out skin tone. The change concerns texture, not the shape of the face.
Neck and décolletage
Areas where the skin loses elasticity early, while also being too thin for methods that add volume.
Body
Arms, abdomen, buttocks and knees, with reduced skin firmness. PCL threads are more often chosen in these areas.
Indications
The presence of an indication does not mean qualification. With post-acne changes and with a pronounced loss of firmness, revitalising threads can be part of a wider plan, not the only method.
What revitalising threads will not do
They will not lift tissue that has sagged. Without barbs there is no mechanical support, so for loss of the facial oval, lifting threads are appropriate.
They do not add volume. For a sunken cheek or a deep fold, the starting point is a filler.
They will not remove excess skin and will not replace a surgical procedure.
They have no effect on pigmentation or vessels, so dark circles under the eyes with this cause need a different method.
We publish photos of results only with patients’ consent and under comparable conditions: the same framing, light, facial expression and time interval. The result is always individual.
Sensations during the treatment
Before the treatment we apply an anaesthetic cream to the treatment area. Because of this, sensations are usually limited to slight pricks, although the insertion of the threads into the tissue itself can be noticeable.
Sensations are individual and depend on the area: the skin of the eyelid and neck is more sensitive than the cheek. If discomfort increases during the treatment, tell the doctor, because the anaesthesia can be topped up.
Contraindications
Allergy to thread components is a contraindication, so the consultation includes questions about reactions after previous treatments and after surgical sutures. Report any medication affecting blood clotting before your appointment.
The questions we are asked most often
How do revitalising threads differ from lifting threads?
Revitalising threads have no hooks and do not provide mechanical support to the tissue. They work on skin quality: density, elasticity and tone, by stimulating fibroblasts to produce collagen. Lifting threads have hooks and lift tissue that has sagged. These are two different tasks, not two versions of the same treatment.
Are threads under the eyes safe?
This is one of the areas where this group of threads is sometimes used, because they are placed superficially and do not add volume. The eyelid skin is thin and prone to swelling, so qualification here is more cautious. Whether the treatment is appropriate is decided by an assessment of the area and the cause of the change, because shadowing under the eye does not always result from skin quality.
How do PDO, PCL and PLLA threads differ?
In material and absorption time. PDO, made of polydioxanone, is most often used on the face, neck and chest. PCL, made of polycaprolactone, is absorbed more slowly, so the effect lasts longer, and is sometimes chosen for body skin. PLLA, made of poly-L-lactic acid, is used for deeper wrinkles and more pronounced loss of firmness. The choice belongs to the doctor.
Will revitalising threads lift sagging skin?
No. Without hooks there is no mechanical support, so this group of threads does not change the position of the tissue. For sagging tissue, lifting threads are appropriate, and with a large excess of skin the scope of possible change is limited regardless of the type of thread.
Does a treatment with revitalising threads hurt?
Before the treatment we apply a numbing cream, so sensations are usually limited to slight pricks. Inserting the threads into the tissue can itself be noticeable. Sensations depend on the area: the eyelid and neck skin is more sensitive than the cheek, and the numbing can be topped up during the treatment.
Can revitalising threads be used on the body?
Yes, they are used on the arms, abdomen, buttocks and knees, where skin firmness is reduced. For body skin, PCL threads are more often chosen, because of their longer absorption time.
How much do revitalising threads cost?
The cost depends on the area and the number of threads, so we keep one current aesthetic medicine price list instead of scattered amounts on individual pages. You will find out the price at the consultation, after an assessment of the skin condition and agreeing a plan.
The content is for information. It does not replace a consultation, an examination or an individual medical assessment.