PDO Thread Training and Certification Information

Thread lifts have been around since before 2000, but many were difficult, risky and caused complications many years into the future.  With the advent of monofilament PDO material, the procedure has become safer, but must be done at regular intervals since this suture material dissolves in around 100 days.  There are distinct differences between barbed threads that are advertised for “lifting” and smooth threads with are advertised for volumization.  We will discuss each separately.

BARBED THREADS PRO’s and BENEFITS

• Can potentially do things that other injectables cannot.  That is lift tissue against gravity instead of just reinflating it.
• PDO is the safest thread material with the lowest complication rate.
• Molded barbs have made for less slippage and breakage before the 100 day date.
• Some patients can make new tissue over time to help support the fat pads after the threads dissolve.
• Younger and Asian patients tend to do best.
• Low competition in many markets.
• There is a CME-Approved Online course which can be taken prior to the many non-CME hands-on classes offered.

• One must master facial anatomy and nerve and vascular landmarks which are not in play for other injectable procedures.
• Barbed threads can be expensive pushing basic mid- and lower- lift pricing well over $1,000 to the patient for a procedure that will not last more than 6 months.
• This is a minor surgical procedure and will need additional professional liability insurance.
• Popularity has leveled off nationwide over the past few years.  It still remains hot in some markets.
• Requires extensive patient counseling and pre-procedure evaluation prior to booking the case.
• Many patients, especially older patients are NOT candidates.
• It does not replace a face lift.
• Requires local anesthesia.
• Threads do expire although they often have a shelf life over a year when purchased.
• Most of the best hands-on training is NOT CME accredited and sponsored directly by the individual thread manufacturers.  This is because there is a lack of experts who choose to do hands-on training.
• Always underpromise and overdeliver
• There is very little guidance among licensing boards regarding scope of practice for RN’s and midlevels in PDO Threads.