PDO Thread Lift Aftercare Instructions
These are my pre-care and PDO thread lift aftercare instructions. Following them closely gives you the best chance of a smooth recovery, a natural-looking result, and a low risk of complications. Please read them all before your appointment and keep them handy while you recover. If anything is unclear, contact the office before your procedure.
23+ YEARS EXPERIENCE | BOARD CERTIFIED MD | FORMER ASST. PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE | 5.0★ ACROSS 136 REVIEWS
About the Procedure
A PDO thread lift is a minimally invasive treatment that uses dissolvable surgical threads placed under the skin to gently lift sagging tissue and stimulate your body’s own collagen. The threads are fully absorbed over several months, while the collagen they trigger continues to improve skin firmness and texture. The lifting effect is immediate but temporary, and results vary from person to person. Most people return to normal activities quickly, though some visible bruising and swelling are common in the first days to weeks.
Before Your Procedure
Two weeks before
- Tell me about all medications, supplements, and medical conditions, including any history of cold sores, keloid or abnormal scarring, autoimmune disease, bleeding disorders, or prior facial surgery or fillers.
- Avoid medications and supplements that thin the blood and increase bruising, unless your prescribing doctor tells you otherwise. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, ginseng, garlic supplements, and high-dose turmeric. Never stop a prescribed blood thinner without approval from the doctor who prescribed it.
- Avoid other injectable treatments or facial procedures in the treatment area unless we have coordinated them.
One week before
- Limit alcohol, which increases bruising and swelling.
- Stay well hydrated and eat a balanced diet to support healing.
- If you are prone to cold sores and are having threads near the mouth, ask me whether you need a preventive antiviral medication.
Two to three days before
- Avoid intense sun exposure, tanning, and harsh skin treatments — chemical peels, strong retinoids, waxing, or aggressive exfoliation — in the treatment area.
The day of your procedure
- Arrive with clean skin, free of makeup, lotion, and sunscreen.
- Eat a light meal beforehand so you are comfortable during the treatment.
- Wear a shirt that buttons or zips in front so you do not pull clothing over your face afterward.
- Arrange your schedule so you can rest and avoid strenuous plans for the remainder of the day.
- Let me know if you feel unwell, have an active skin infection or breakout in the area, or think you may be pregnant.
After Your Procedure
Some discomfort, tightness, mild swelling, bruising, and small puckering or dimpling at the entry points are normal in the early days and usually settle on their own. The steps below help the threads stay in place while your tissues heal.
First 24 to 48 hours
- Apply a cold compress gently to the treated areas for short periods to reduce swelling and discomfort. Do not press hard, and do not apply ice directly to the skin.
- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for discomfort if you need it, unless you have been told otherwise. Avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen for the first few days unless I approve them, as these can worsen bruising.
- Keep your head elevated and sleep on your back for about the first week to reduce swelling and avoid disturbing the threads.
- Keep the entry points clean and dry. Do not scrub or pick at them.
First week
- Do not massage, rub, or apply firm pressure to the treated area.
- Minimize big facial movements when possible — avoid excessive chewing of tough or chewy foods, wide yawning, and exaggerated facial expressions. Choose soft foods for the first few days.
- Avoid strenuous exercise, bending over, heavy lifting, and anything that raises your blood pressure or causes flushing.
- Avoid heat and temperature extremes: no saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga, very hot showers, sunbathing, or tanning beds.
- Avoid alcohol, which increases swelling and bruising.
- Do not sleep face-down or press your face into a pillow.
- Be gentle when washing your face. Use lukewarm water and a mild cleanser, and pat — do not rub — the skin dry.
First two to three weeks
- Hold off on dental work and dental cleanings unless urgent, since keeping the mouth open wide can strain the threads.
- Delay facials, facial massage, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser treatments, and other injectables until I confirm it is safe.
- Avoid makeup over the entry points until they have fully closed, usually a few days; then apply gently.
- Protect your skin from the sun and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen once the entry points have healed. Sun protection helps prevent discoloration and supports healing.
Ongoing
- Continue gentle skin care and daily sun protection to help maintain your results.
- Your final result develops over several weeks to months as collagen builds. Be patient, and keep your follow-up appointments so I can check your progress.
What to Expect and What Is Normal
Mild to moderate swelling, bruising, tenderness, and a pulling or tight sensation are common and usually improve within one to two weeks.
Small dimples or slight unevenness may appear early and often relax on their own within days to a couple of weeks. Let me know if they persist.
You may briefly feel the threads under the skin. This typically fades as the area heals.
Call Us Immediately If You Notice
Call the office promptly at (415) 644-8301 if you notice:
- Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pain after the first few days, or pus or drainage — these may signal infection
- Fever
- A thread becoming visible, poking through the skin, or a thread end sticking out
- Persistent dimpling, puckering, or noticeable asymmetry that does not improve
- A hard lump or nodule that is growing or tender
- Numbness, weakness, or an inability to move part of your face
- Severe or worsening pain not relieved by acetaminophen
- Any symptom that worries you
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have difficulty breathing, severe swelling, signs of a serious allergic reaction, or any other medical emergency.
PDO Thread Lift Care FAQs
Questions About Your Thread Lift Care?
Keep these instructions for reference while you recover, and do not hesitate to reach out to the office with any questions. Your comfort, safety, and result are the priority throughout your healing.
Reviewed and approved by Kourosh Moazemi, MD, FACP, board certified in Internal Medicine. Last reviewed September 9, 2026.