What Are PDO Threads and How Do They Work? | Rejuvenation by Vienna
- Vienna Magan
- Jul 1
- 6 min read
If you have been researching non-surgical options for sagging or tired-looking skin, you have likely
come across the term ‘PDO threads’ — and probably a fair number of confusing or conflicting explanations of what they actually are. This article breaks it down clearly: what PDO threads are made of, how they work beneath the skin, and what makes them different from other cosmetic treatments.
At Rejuvenation by Vienna in Caloundra, understanding how a treatment works is considered just as important as the treatment itself. An informed client is an empowered client — which is why this guide goes into more depth on the science and mechanism behind PDO threads than you might find elsewhere.
In This Article
Section 1
What Does ‘PDO’ Actually Stand For?
PDO stands for polydioxanone — a synthetic polymer material. If that sounds unfamiliar, here is some helpful context: polydioxanone has been used in medicine for decades, most commonly as a material for absorbable surgical sutures used to close wounds after surgery.
This is an important point of reassurance for many clients. PDO threads are not a new or experimental material— they are made from a substance with a long, well-documented history of safe use in medical settings, simply applied here in a cosmetic context to support facial skin rather than to close a surgical incision.
Section 2
What Are PDO Threads Made Of?
PDO threads are made from a biodegradable synthetic polymer. Unlike permanent implants or non-absorbable materials, PDO is specifically designed to break down and be safely absorbed by the body over a predictable period of time — generally within 4 to 8 months, depending on the thread type and thickness.
This biodegradability is a deliberate and important design feature. It means the thread does not remain in the skin indefinitely as a foreign object; instead, it gradually dissolves into carbon dioxide and water, which are naturally processed and eliminated by the body.
Threads also vary in design depending on their intended purpose:
At Rejuvenation by Vienna, the specific thread design used — monothreads, volumising threads, or lifting threads — is selected based on your individual concerns and the result you are hoping to achieve, as outlined in our main PDO Threads guide HERE.
Section 3
How PDO Threads Work — The Two-Part Mechanism
This is the part most people are genuinely curious about: what is actually happening beneath the skin when a PDO thread is inserted?
The answer involves two distinct, complementary mechanisms working together.
It is this second mechanism — collagen induction — that explains why PDO thread results continue to improve in the weeks after treatment, rather than appearing all at once. The body needs time to respond to the thread and build new collagen around it.
Section 4
The Role of Collagen in the PDO Thread Process
Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the skin, providing firmness, elasticity, and overall support to the skin’s framework. As we age, the body’s natural collagen production slows considerably —one of the primary reasons skin gradually loses firmness and begins to sag.
PDO threads work by deliberately exploiting the body’s wound-healing response. When the thread is placed beneath the skin, the body identifies it as a foreign material (in the same way it would respond to any surgical suture) and initiates a controlled healing cascade. Part of this cascade involves fibroblasts — the cells responsible for collagen production — becoming activated in the area surrounding the thread.
Over the following weeks and months, this localised collagen production continues to build, gradually improving skin firmness, thickness, and texture in the treated area — independent of the thread itself.
Section 5
What Happens to the Thread Over Time?
Many clients are surprised to learn that the thread itself does not stay in the skin permanently. Polydioxanone is fully biodegradable, meaning the body gradually breaks it down through a natural process called hydrolysis — where the material slowly absorbs moisture and breaks apart at a molecular level.
A simplified timeline of what happens beneath the skin:
This is an important distinction to understand: the longevity of your results is not simply about how long the physical thread remains in your skin. It is the lasting collagen — built during the months the thread was present — that provides the most durable benefit.
Section 6
Why PDO Threads Are Different from Dermal Fillers and Anti-Wrinkle Injections
It is common for people to lump all injectable cosmetic treatments together, but PDO threads work in a fundamentally different way to both dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle treatments.
PDO Threads
• Physical sutures placed beneath the skin
• Provide mechanical lift + stimulate collagen
• Address skin laxity and sagging
• Results develop gradually over 4–6 weeks
• See more information HERE
Dermal Fillers (Volume Restoration)
• Hyaluronic acid gel injected into tissue
• Add immediate volume and structure
• Address volume loss and hollowing
• Results visible immediately
• See more information HERE
Anti-wrinkle treatments (wrinkle relaxation) work differently again — they temporarily relax the facial muscles responsible for dynamic expression lines, rather than providing structural support or volume. You can read more in our Wrinkle Relaxation guide.
Section 7
Is the Science Behind PDO Threads Well Established?
Polydioxanone itself has an extensive, well-documented history of safe use in surgical medicine, where it has been used as a suture material for many years. Its application in cosmetic thread-lifting procedures is a more recent development within aesthetic medicine, and like many minimally invasive cosmetic techniques, the body of large-scale clinical research is still growing.
It is worth noting, in the interest of transparency, that some published reviews of the cosmetic thread-lifting literature have observed that rigorous, large-scale studies specifically on PDO threads for facial rejuvenation remain relatively limited compared to more established treatments like dermal fillers. This does not mean the treatment is unsafe or ineffective — it simply reflects that thread-lifting is a newer area of aesthetic medicine compared to some other cosmetic procedures.
Section 8
What to Expect During the Procedure Itself
Understanding the mechanism behind PDO threads is one thing — but many people also want to know practically what happens in the room during treatment. Here is a simple step-by-step overview.
The full procedure typically takes 30–60 minutes depending on the number of threads and areas being treated. For a complete walkthrough of the consultation process, see our main PDO Threads guide.
Section 9
Frequently Asked Questions
Are PDO threads the same material used in surgical stitches?
Yes. Polydioxanone has been used safely as a surgical suture material for decades. PDO threads use this same well-established material, applied beneath the skin in a cosmetic context rather than to close a surgical wound.
Can I feel the thread under my skin after treatment?
Some clients report a mild sensation of tightness or awareness of the treated area in the first days after treatment, which generally settles as initial swelling resolves. The thread itself is not typically felt as a hard or noticeable object once healing has progressed.
Does the thread dissolve completely, or does part of it remain?
The thread material is fully biodegradable and is broken down completely through a natural process within the body, generally within 4–8 months. No thread material remains permanently — what remains afterward is the new collagen the thread stimulated.
Why does it take weeks to see the full result?
The full result depends on two factors: the immediate mechanical lift from the thread itself, and the gradual build-up of new collagen, which takes several weeks to develop. This is why most clients see their best result at the 4–6 week mark, rather than immediately after treatment.
Is the collagen-stimulating effect scientifically proven?
The general principle that foreign materials trigger a wound-healing response involving collagen production is well understood in medicine. However, large-scale clinical research specifically on PDO threads for facial rejuvenation is still a developing area compared to more established cosmetic treatments. This is discussed openly during consultation so you can make an informed decision.
Will my body reject the thread?
Polydioxanone is widely used in medicine and is generally well tolerated. As with any foreign material introduced to the body, individual reactions can vary, which is why a thorough medical history review is completed during consultation to assess your individual suitability.
How is this different from a thread used in surgery?
The material itself — polydioxanone — is the same type used in some surgical sutures. The application is different: rather than closing a surgical incision, PDO threads used cosmetically are placed beneath the skin specifically to provide support and stimulate collagen production for facial rejuvenation.
Ready When You Are
Curious Whether PDO Threads Are Right for You?
Now that you understand how PDO threads work beneath the surface, the next step is finding out whether they are the right fit for your individual skin and goals. Vienna offers thorough, honest consultations in Caloundra — with no pressure to proceed on the day.
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