Unsure about choosing between PDO threads and dermal fillers to rejuvenate your jawline and neckline? Each option offers its own benefits, tailored to what bothers you most, whether it’s loose skin or lost volume around your jaw and neck. This article will clear up the key differences between these popular treatments and help you pick the right one to match your beauty goals.
How Aging Affects the Jawline and Neckline
Understanding facial aging is crucial for selecting between PDO threads and dermal fillers for rejuvenating the jawline and neckline. The aging process affects facial anatomy at every level, from skin to bone.
Anatomical Changes in the Lower Face and Neck
The lower face and neck display the most obvious signs of aging because the muscles that run vertically from your jawline down your neck start to weaken and separate. This creates visible vertical “turkey neck” bands that make you look older. They become more obvious as support structures break down.
The area where your chin meets your neck also increases as you age, and the tissues lose their strength, making your profile and jawline less sharp and defined. This changes your face’s youthful heart shape into something more rectangular or trapezoidal.
Skin Thinning and Collagen Degradation
As you age, your skin produces less collagen and elastin, leading to a loss of firmness and elasticity. The jawline and neck areas develop loose, sagging skin as a result.
The dermis becomes thinner because dermal collagen breaks down, and cell numbers decrease. Reduced collagen production shows up as fine lines, wrinkles, and loose skin.
Fat Redistribution and Bone Resorption
The most surprising aspect of facial aging involves changes in fat and bone structures. Facial fat volume decreases in some areas while building up in others. Fat that was once evenly spread starts to clump and move downward, which creates:
- Sagging jowls along the jawline.
- Fat buildup under the chin (submental fullness).
- Areas that look hollow, while others have excess volume.
The facial skeleton also changes substantially through resorption. Due to a loss of bone density, the mandible (lower jawbone) recedes on both sides of the chin. This forms grooves or indentations on either side of the chin. When these structures change, the soft tissues above lose their support.
How PDO Threads Work for Contouring
PDO thread treatments showcase an exciting blend of medical science and innovation in jawline and neckline contouring. These specialized sutures work differently from fillers that add volume. They provide immediate physical support and stimulate long-term biological changes.
Mechanotransduction and Collagen Induction
The science of PDO threads relies on mechanotransduction, a process that turns mechanical stress into biochemical signals in your skin. Medical-grade sutures placed under your skin create controlled microtrauma that triggers your body’s natural healing response. This original reaction activates fibroblasts, which are cells that produce collagen. This new collagen builds a stronger framework in your skin and improves its elasticity and firmness.
PDO Threads for Jawline Lifting
PDO threads deliver both immediate and gradual benefits for jawline definition. The threads create an instant lifting effect by supporting sagging skin and reducing jowls right after insertion along the jawline. Strategic placement of these threads forms a framework system that tightens and lifts sagging skin around the jawline, creating a sharper profile.
PDO thread treatments don’t need incisions or sutures, unlike traditional surgery. Doctors place them using fine needles or cannulas with precision, thereby minimizing risks and substantially speeding up recovery time.
PDO Threads for Neckline Tightening
The neck area presents unique challenges that PDO threads effectively address. Doctors insert threads in a crisscross pattern beneath the skin to provide the best structural support for neckline tightening. This approach works well for people who have a “turtle neck” appearance or horizontal lines that affect their jawline’s look.
The threads lift and firm the skin under the chin and along the neck. This creates a smoother, more toned appearance. Just as with jawline treatments, you’ll see an initial mechanical lift followed by collagen stimulation that continues to improve the neckline’s appearance.
How Fillers Work for Contouring
Dermal fillers take a different path to facial rejuvenation than PDO threads. They restore lost volume instead of lifting tissues mechanically.
Volumizing Effect of Hyaluronic Acid and Calcium-Based Fillers
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers stand out because of their amazing water-binding power. These fillers stay soft and gel-like, which lets doctors mold them easily after placement.
Calcium-based fillers, such as Radiesse, work through two steps. The first step provides immediate support right after the injection. After that, they trigger fibroblast activity that leads to new collagen formation. This biological process improves skin quality and maintains volume over time.
Fillers for Jawline Sculpting
Fillers reshape the lower face by addressing structural issues and correcting irregular contours. An 18-month study of HA fillers showed promising results for volume increases in the chin and jawline.
Some doctors combine calcium-based fillers with JA. This mix utilizes both products’ strengths; HA adds volume immediately, while the calcium-based fillers build collagen for lasting results.
PDO Threads vs Filler: Key Differences
Several critical differences emerge between PDO threads and dermal fillers for facial rejuvenation. These differences go beyond their simple mechanisms and include practical aspects like how well they work for specific concerns, recovery expectations, and safety profiles.
Are PDO Threads Better Than Filler for Lifting?
These treatments work in fundamentally different ways. PDO threads physically lift and reposition sagging tissue. They provide a subtle “pull” that redefines falling contours. In stark comparison to this, fillers add volume beneath the skin instead of creating lift.
PDO threads may yield better results due to their mechanical lifting capabilities, particularly for individuals with moderate skin laxity along the jawline or a drooping mid-face. Fillers excel as a way to address volume-related concerns, such as hollow cheeks or flattened areas. They’re also great if you want to define contours through strategic volume placement.
Downtime and Recovery Comparison
Each treatment comes with its own recovery experience. PDO thread procedures might cause:
- Mild swelling, bruising or tenderness that lasts several days.
- Temporary tightness with certain facial movements.
- A need to avoid strenuous exercise for about one week.
Filler treatments require nowhere near as much downtime—most patients return to their normal activities right away. You may experience some swelling or bruising at the injection site, but this typically resolves within a few days.
Many practitioners suggest taking a weekend to recover from the “social downtime” that accompanies treatment.
Treatment Frequency
Results differ with these treatments. PDO threads create effects that stay for 12 to 24 months, and you’ll see continued benefits even after thread dissolution because of collagen stimulation. Fillers need maintenance every 6 to 18 months, depending on the treated area and product used.
Choosing the Right Treatment for You
Your unique facial features should guide you in choosing between PDO threads and dermal fillers. Here is what you should consider.
Skin Laxity vs. Volume Loss
The best treatment choice depends on identifying the biggest problem:
- Gravity-related sagging with adequate volume: PDO threads work better by physically lifting descended tissues
- Hollowness or flattened features: Dermal fillers deliver more appropriate outcomes by restoring lost volume
- Skin elasticity and quality: Thin skin responds differently to threads versus fillers
Your Beauty Vault provider will look at muscle activity, bone structure, and collagen levels to create the optimal treatment plan.
Age-Based Treatment Planning
Most patients in their early 40s still have skin with enough elasticity to benefit from preventative thread procedures. Those in their late 50s and beyond usually show more pronounced laxity that needs detailed intervention. People in their 40s and 50s often seek facial rejuvenation due to hormonal changes that cause noticeable loss of collagen. Either way, your facial condition matters more than your actual age. Those
Combining PDO Threads and Fillers for Optimal Results
Facial aging involves both tissue descent and volume loss; therefore, combining treatments often yields better outcomes. Threads lift and tighten sagging areas while fillers add structure and contour for complete rejuvenation. This cooperative approach addresses multiple aging signs simultaneously. Combined treatments can also last longer, with some patients experiencing benefits anywhere from 18 to 24 months.
Go to the Beauty Vault for Dermal Fillers or PDO Threads
Your choice between PDO threads and dermal fillers for jawline and neckline enhancement depends on your specific goals, as facial rejuvenation is unique to each individual. A treatment that gives amazing results for someone else might not be perfect for you. The Beauty Vault team in West Hollywood can give you a full picture of your needs and options, so schedule an appointment today by calling them at (323) 800-6770 or filling out a contact form.
FAQs
Q1. Which treatment is more effective for lifting: PDO threads or dermal fillers?
PDO threads are generally more effective for lifting sagging tissues, as they physically reposition and support the skin. Fillers, on the other hand, are better suited for adding volume and sculpting contours. The choice depends on whether your primary concern is skin laxity or volume loss.
Q2. How long do the effects of PDO threads and fillers typically last?
PDO threads generally produce effects lasting 12 to 24 months, with continued benefits even after thread dissolution due to collagen stimulation. Fillers typically require maintenance every 6 to 18 months, depending on the area treated and the specific product used. The longevity of results can vary among individuals.
Q3. Is it possible to combine PDO threads and fillers for better results?
Yes, combining PDO threads and fillers can often yield superior outcomes. This approach addresses both tissue descent and volume loss simultaneously, providing comprehensive rejuvenation. Threads can lift and tighten sagging areas, while fillers add structure and contour. This combination can potentially extend the longevity of results, with some patients enjoying benefits for up to 18 to 24 months.
