PDO Thread Lift Complications

Can PDO Thread Lifts Have Complications?

Yes. Thread lifting is minimally invasive but not complication-free. Some early effects are expected and usually temporary, including swelling, bruising, tenderness, pulling sensation and mild asymmetry during healing. Other problems may require assessment, including persistent dimpling, puckering, contour irregularities, visible or palpable threads, migration, extrusion, infection, inflammatory reactions, persistent pain, numbness, facial asymmetry or injury to nearby structures.

What Is Normal After a Thread Lift?

Immediately after treatment, patients may experience swelling, bruising, tenderness, tightness, a pulling sensation, mild temporary asymmetry, small entry-point marks and discomfort opening the mouth widely because of tenderness or tension.

What Is Not Normal?

Increasing rather than improving pain, worsening swelling, increasing redness or heat, discharge or pus, fever, thread emerging through skin, persistent severe dimpling, increasing asymmetry, a visible thread, persistent numbness or weakness, a painful lump or skin breakdown require assessment.

What Causes Dimpling?

Dimpling can occur when a barbed or cog thread catches tissue close to the skin surface or creates excessive local tension. Contributing factors include superficial placement, excessive tension, strong fixation of a cog close to skin, skin thickness, thread design, tissue anatomy and uneven distribution of lifted tissue.

Can Threads Be Visible or Palpable?

Yes. Visible threads are more likely when placement is too superficial or overlying tissue is thin. A persistently painful, prominent or abnormal palpable thread deserves assessment.

What Is Thread Extrusion?

Extrusion means part of the thread becomes exposed through skin or an entry point. Do not pull the thread yourself.

Can Threads Migrate?

Yes. Migration or displacement can occur if fixation fails, a thread moves through tissue or other mechanical factors affect stability.

Can Threads Become Infected?

Yes. Warning signs may include increasing redness, heat, pain, tenderness, pus or discharge, a painful swollen lump, fever or systemic illness.

Can PDO Threads Damage Nerves or Other Structures?

Rare nerve-related and deeper structural injuries have been reported. Persistent weakness, significant movement asymmetry, numbness or unusual sensory symptoms should be assessed.

Can Threads Be Removed?

Yes, in selected circumstances. Reasons may include persistent severe dimpling, extrusion, migration, infection associated with the thread, persistent pain, significant contour abnormality or specific structural complications. Removal is not always simple.