PDO Thread Lift

Aura Skin Spa San Francisco offers PDO (Polydioxanone) thread lifting as a non-surgical alternative to surgical facelift procedures. Absorbable threads are inserted with fine needles to mechanically lift sagging tissue in the midface, jawline, brow, and neck, while simultaneously stimulating collagen production along the thread pathway. Results develop over three to six months as collagen builds and last up to eighteen months. Performed by Dr. Anthony Waechter and Dr. Ghausia Ata at the Jackson Square clinic.

PDO thread lifting at Aura Skin Spa San Francisco is a minimally invasive facial rejuvenation procedure in which Polydioxanone (PDO) sutures are introduced under the skin via small needle insertions to lift and tighten sagging facial tissue. PDO is the same biocompatible, absorbable material used in cardiovascular surgery and tissue repair, with an established safety record spanning decades of medical use. The procedure works through two complementary mechanisms. First, the physical placement of barbed or cog threads into the subcutaneous tissue creates an immediate mechanical lift — the tiny barbs anchor to the soft tissue and allow the treating physician to reposition and elevate descended facial structures including the cheeks, jowls, brow, and neck. This immediate effect is visible from the day of treatment and continues to improve as any post-procedural swelling resolves. Second, the presence of the foreign material stimulates the body's fibroblastic response: the tissue surrounding each thread produces new collagen and elastin along the thread pathway. As the PDO dissolves over six to eight months, it is replaced by a column of new connective tissue that maintains the structural support created during the procedure. The combined effect means patients enjoy both immediate and progressive improvement, with results typically lasting twelve to eighteen months depending on the patient's age, skin laxity, and the number of threads placed. At Aura Skin Spa, threads are placed by board-certified physicians Dr. Anthony Waechter and Dr. Ghausia Ata — both of whom have completed dedicated training in PDO thread insertion techniques. Thread types used include smooth threads (for collagen stimulation only, suitable for fine lines and under-eye areas), barbed cog threads (for structural lifting of the midface and jawline), and screw threads (for volumising and skin tightening in areas like the cheeks and temples). Recovery involves mild bruising, swelling, and tenderness at insertion points for several days. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous exercise, facial massage, and sleeping face-down for two weeks. The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthetic in approximately 45–60 minutes at the clinic's Jackson Square premises, serving San Francisco patients who want meaningful anti-aging results without the recovery time or risks of surgical intervention.