How Do I Find the Right PDO, PLA, or PCL Lifting Thread for Me?

Many people who are looking into thread lifting for the first time have similar concerns.

There is a lot of information out there, and there are many different types of threads, but it is not easy to know which one is right for your face.

Online, you will find statements like, “PDO is good,” “PLA lasts longer,” and “PCL is trendy these days.”

But deciding based only on the thread material can actually leave you with fragmented information.

Even when you go to a clinic, one place may say one thing, while another says the exact opposite.

It only gets more confusing, and you end up not knowing what to trust.

But choosing based only on the name of the thread is similar to hearing a car model name and signing a contract without even test-driving it.

What matters is considering the thread material, how long it lasts, how reactive it is, and the condition of your face as a whole.

PDO, PLA, and PCL are

materials used in threads.

The threads used for thread lifting are broadly divided into PDO, PLA, and PCL depending on their material.

These names are abbreviations of sorts.

PDO comes from polydioxanone, PLA from polylactic acid, and PCL from polycaprolactone.

When people look up the different types of thread lifting online, they often see PDO threads, PLA threads, and so on, and may think of them as product names.

But scientifically, these simply refer to the materials, and in fact the actual products made with each material are far more varied.

First, looking at each material:

PDO threads dissolve relatively quickly and tend to cause less stimulation.

They are suitable for people trying thread lifting for the first time, people with sensitive skin, or those who want a natural lifting effect over a short period.

They usually dissolve gradually within about 6 months to 1 year, and during that time they promote collagen production to improve skin elasticity.

PDO threads are medical threads and are actually used as sutures in heart surgery as well.

As the thread slowly dissolves inside the skin, it creates a certain degree of stimulation in the surrounding tissue,

but compared with PLA or PCL threads, their effect on collagen enhancement is somewhat limited.

On the other hand, PLA threads are firmer, last longer, and are excellent at inducing collagen.

They are good for faces with significant volume loss, such as sagging facial contours or deeply sunken cheeks, and their elasticity-improving effect tends to last longer.

It takes about 1 to 1.5 years for them to be absorbed, which is a little longer than PDO.

However, since the tissue reaction can be somewhat stronger, they should be used cautiously on sensitive skin, and they are sometimes described as lacking in pulling strength compared with PDO threads.

Lastly, PCL threads are the ones that last the longest.

They also produce a natural fibrosis response, with less sensation of the thread curling inward.

Their effect usually lasts close to 2 years, and they are often used for patients in middle age and older who have less facial fat or more severe sagging.

However, because the thread itself is thicker and firmer, it must be carefully designed with consideration for skin thickness and tissue condition.

As such, whichever material is used, each thread has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Therefore, when deciding which thread to use, you should carefully assess your current skin condition and have a thorough consultation with the medical team performing the procedure about the results you want before making a decision.

Design and technical skill matter.

No matter how good the thread type is, if the design does not suit your face, the effect will inevitably be reduced.

It is like making clothes from expensive fabric: if the pattern does not fit your body type, it will not look good.

For example, a face shape with a flat forehead and prominent cheekbones has a structure that requires volume distribution.

In such cases, simple lifting threads alone are not enough, and threads with stronger collagen-filling properties need to be used for a natural result.

Some people have thin skin and very little fat, making the thread easy to show through; if thick threads like PCL are inserted too aggressively in such cases, the result can become uneven.

Therefore, when choosing a thread, you need to consider the patient’s facial bone structure, skin thickness, fat distribution, and even daily patterns, and focus on which thread should be placed where and how for the most harmonious result.

That is why even the same thread can produce completely different results depending on the placement, direction, and depth of insertion.

Sometimes people ask, “Doctor, which threads are people looking for these days?”

Whenever that happens, I usually say, “The thread itself is not the important part; what matters is where and how it is used.”

Lifting is not a simple procedure.

Which thread is used is important, but even more important are the insertion depth, the pulling direction, and the amount of force applied.

This, too, becomes much safer in terms of reducing the risk of side effects when it is carried out in a way that suits your current facial condition.

So if you are considering thread lifting, do not be swayed by stories like “this thread is good” or “that clinic is good with certain threads.”

Please make sure to receive enough consultation and proceed at a place with ample understanding and experience in thread lifting itself.

Thank you for reading this long post today.

| This post was written for informational purposes in compliance with Article 56, Paragraphs 1 to 15 of the Medical Service Act. All treatments carry a risk of side effects and complications depending on the individual. Before treatment, be sure to have a thorough consultation with experienced medical staff before making a decision. |