Injectable lip filler is the quick and easy go-to for plumping the lips and restoring lost volume. But, for all the good lip fillers provide, there’s always something new and innovative just around the corner. Enter: PDO lip threads, a new way to get fuller, more plump looks without using dermal fillers.
Any PDO thread procedure utilizes PDO sutures that are strategically inserted to lift the skin. In the case of PDO lip threads, the procedure creates a plumping and contouring effect that’s different from what’s achieved with injectables. Inserting PDO threads under the skin of the lips acts like a scaffold of sorts for more added definition than there is volume if that’s what you’re trying to achieve. The results are subtle and natural-looking, and some longtime fans of fillers are switching to PDO threads.
Here, we break down everything you need to know about PDO threads in the lips and determine if this is the right treatment for you.
How do PDO lip threads work?
Unlike dermal fillers, which draw water to the lips to restore lost volume, PDO lip threads work differently. Inserting several sturdy PDO threads (the number of threads needed is individual to each patient and whether the upper or lower lip is treated) allows for more definition in the lips by lifting the outline of the lips and the Cupid’s bow.
Lip threads, also commonly referred to as a PDO thread lip, is a minimally invasive procedure that stimulates the production of new collagen, unlike injectable lip fillers. With age, the natural levels of collagen decrease, leading to sagging skin and fine lines and wrinkles. So, while PDO lip threads can help perk up the shape of the lips, the procedure also helps mitigate the signs of an aging lip.
During the procedure, which takes about 30 minutes, the lips are first numbed with topical numbing cream or lidocaine injections to make the insertion process more comfortable. Next, the threads are inserted under the skin through a tiny entry point at the mouth’s outer corner. Then, the threads are placed along the lip line using a cannula. The tension created on the lips, which occurs when the threads are locked into place, can create the look of a fuller upper lip while simultaneously minimizing the look of lip lines and creating a more well-defined upper lip.
PDO lip threads are dissolvable, and while the results are long-lasting, they are not permanent. The treatment uses threads of the same collagen-stimulating substance in fillers such as Sculptra.
Can PDO threads make lips bigger?
A PDO lip lift can enhance the lips by further defining their shape. The quick, easy, and minimal downtime treatment results in natural, subtle-looking lips with a bit of pop. Elevating the tissue in the lips via threads creates tension and improves the shape of the lips to give the appearance of bigger, fuller lips.
Injecting filler into the lips creates volume, which can increase the size of the lips. But PDO threads work differently, and rather than adding volume to the area, they create an initial change in the appearance of the lips and then stimulate collagen for a longer-lasting change to their shape. As the body absorbs the threads in the coming months, it triggers the creation of new collagen where the threads were placed.
Do PDO threads add volume?
PDO threads in the lips can add volume, but the amount created is less than what a filler can provide. PDO threads provide a subtle volume boost from the new collagen produced over time, giving a natural look to the lips.
Are PDO lip threads painful?
Lip threading can be uncomfortable, like many other aesthetic treatments. For this reason, your provider will numb your lips with either topical numbing cream or a dental block before placing the threads. Whereas fillers contain an anesthetic that takes effect upon injections, PDO threads do not. However, numbing medication will make the treatment virtually painless, and you shouldn’t feel much during the procedure.
After the procedure, there may be swelling and bruising that can last up to two weeks.
How long do PDO threads in the lips last?
The threads last in the lips, on average, six months. But just because the threads begin to dissolve after a few months doesn’t mean the effects of the procedure are no longer visible. As the threads dissolve, the body starts to create collagen in its place, which can give added definition and fullness for one to three years, depending on various factors.
Are PDO lip threads reversible?
Unfortunately, PDO lip threads are not reversible. Any PDO thread procedure, including PDO thread eyes and lips, cannot be reversed like hyaluronic acid can. So if you don’t like the results, you’ll need to wait until the threads dissolve, which can take upwards of six months. But the long-lasting effect of lip threads is often seen as a benefit, especially by those who desire more definition than what fillers provide. However, in some cases, your provider may be able to minimize the effects of a PDO lip lift can be minimized to some degree with a special laser.
Are lip fillers or PDO threads better?
It’s not to say that one technique is better than the other, but rather which best suits your needs and achieves your desired look. Threads create a longer-lasting effect and are more invasive than filler in the lips. With PDO thread lips, the goal is to create a better definition and shape in the lips by giving a subtle lift to the edges and a small amount of volume via collagen production.
On the other hand, injectable lip fillers draw water to the lips for more volume and added projection, giving the lips sexy plumpness. Fillers can also help further define the shape of the lips and add height.
The most significant distinction between filler and PDO threads is that in the lips, the threads can only be placed along the lip border and not within the lips themselves like filler is.
