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What’s the Best Time of Year for PDO Threads (And Why Winter May be Ideal)

Thread lifts are becoming more popular, showing success rates of 85-90% at lifting tissue visibly. However, the timing of your treatment will have a notable impact on your results and recovery.

That’s why you should note that winter could be your best time to get PDO threading done for wrinkles. This article looks at why the coldest, darkest season might give you ideal conditions for the procedure.

What Is a PDO Thread Lift and How Does It Work?

PDO thread lifts offer a groundbreaking approach to facial rejuvenation using medical-grade sutures that deliver immediate and lasting results. These threads create a supportive framework under your skin and address sagging areas without traditional surgery. Doctors place thin, biodegradable polydioxanone (PDO) sutures—the same material used in cardiovascular surgery for decades—under your skin through tiny entry points [1].

Threading for Wrinkles: How Barbed Sutures Lift Sagging Skin

Barbed sutures work through their unique design features. Tiny projections along their length act as anchors once placed beneath your skin [2]. These microscopic barbs grab onto facial tissues and create tension that lifts sagging areas naturally [2].

Your Beauty Vault provider carefully positions these specialized threads with a fine needle or cannula to:

Lift loose skin in targeted areas like the cheeks, jawline, and neck.
Create immediate structural support for sagging tissues.
Shape facial contours more precisely.

The procedure earned its nickname “lunchtime facelift” because it doesn’t require large incisions or long recovery periods [3]. Also, these threads distribute tension along their entire length rather than focusing it on one point, which prevents the “cheese wiring” effect common with standard sutures [2].

Barbed sutures have proven stronger than their non-barbed counterparts in breaking strength, tensile strength, and pull-out resistance [2]. This superior structural integrity helps them support facial tissues longer.

Collagen Stimulation and Skin Tightening Explained

PDO threads do more than just lift—they trigger a biological response that continues working after the procedure. Your body sees these threads as “foreign objects” and launches a natural healing response [1]. This process activates fibroblast cells that produce fresh collagen around the threads [4].

The collagen stimulation follows this timeline:

Threads provide immediate support upon placement.
Healing response starts within days.
Collagen production increases around threads.
New collagen creates a supportive matrix over one to three months.

Why Winter Is the Best Time for PDO Threads

The timing of your thread face lift can substantially affect both your results and recovery experience. Winter offers several unique advantages that make it an ideal season for PDO thread procedures.

Lower Sun Exposure Reduces Pigmentation Risk

Winter’s shorter days naturally limit your exposure to harmful UV radiation—a vital factor for thread lift success. UV rays can directly compromise PDO thread treatments by breaking down collagen fibers in your body [2]. This works against one of the main benefits of facial threading—collagen production.

Sun exposure brings additional risks, such as:

Higher chance of developing hyperpigmentation in treated areas [2].
Slower healing process right after treatment [2].
Shorter overall lifespan of your thread lift results [2].

Furthermore, cold temperatures keep you indoors more often, which further reduces your sun exposure and creates a protective environment for your skin after treatment [15].

Cooler Temperatures Minimize Post-procedure Swelling

Winter’s cool temperatures help manage common post-procedure symptoms naturally. Specifically, cold air constricts blood vessels and reduces swelling and inflammation—common side effects after thread placement [15]. Heat, on the other hand, can dilate blood vessels and possibly worsen these temporary effects [2].

Winter also improves many environmental factors that could otherwise slow your recovery, including:

Reduced sweating, which can irritate treatment areas.
Less heat-induced inflammation.
Fewer activities that cause flushing or overheating.

Your skin needs minimal inflammation and maximum calm right after treatment [16]. Winter supports this naturally since you’re less likely to be in situations that cause these issues compared to summer months [16].

Typical Recovery Timeline in Colder Months

Recovery feels more comfortable in winter than in warmer months.

For the first one to two days, you’ll notice mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness right after treatment [3]. Cold compresses help reduce swelling when applied intermittently [6], and the low winter temperatures can enhance that effect.

On days three to seven, the swelling and bruising start to fade, but your face might feel tight with expressions [4]. By the time you’re into your second week, most visible side effects will be resolved, and normal activities can resume [4].

Your results will continue to develop slowly as collagen builds around the threads over three to six months [20]. Starting in winter gives your results time to look natural and refined by spring.

Maintaining Results and Minimizing Risks

PDO thread lifts offer many benefits, but they won’t last as long as they should if you don’t perform proper aftercare. Also, like any aesthetic procedure, they come with potential risks.

Post-Care Tips: Avoiding Heat, Pressure, and Sun

Winter aftercare focuses on reducing inflammation and protecting healing tissues:

Keep your head elevated during sleep for the first few nights to reduce swelling [3].
Take it easy on facial movements; limit talking, smiling, or chewing for 48 hours [3].
Stay away from hot showers, saunas, and heated indoor pools [21].
Use cold compresses wrapped in soft cloth every hour for 10 to 15 minutes in the first 24 to 48 hours [4].

Again, winter naturally shields you from sun exposure, but you should still apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen daily [6]. The dry winter indoor air might also call for extra skin hydration with gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers [22]. Lastly, wait at least two weeks before scheduling dental visits, facial massages, or heavy exercise to keep threads in place [21].

Common Side Effects: Bruising, Dimpling, and Tightness

Patients typically experience temporary side effects in the first 24 to 48 hours after their PDO thread treatment. You might notice swelling, bruising, and tender areas around the treatment sites [1]. The skin often feels noticeably tight or pulled in certain spots—this shows that the threads are creating the lift you want [1].

Other common temporary effects include:

Mild skin dimpling or puckering that usually goes away as threads settle [1].
Soreness like in post-dental procedure discomfort [1].
Temporary facial stiffness during expressions [23].
Minor redness where threads were inserted [23].

These effects usually fade during the first week after the procedure. Dimpling issues happen mostly when threads sit too close to the skin surface or aren’t placed correctly [23]. Uneven thread depth can also create depressions where threads lie closer to the surface [24].

Infection Prevention in Dry Winter Air

The risk of infection with PDO threads stays very low [24], but prevention matters—especially when you have dry indoor winter air that might affect healing. Good skin hydration plays a key role in winter recovery.

Take any prescribed antibiotic cream or oral medication exactly as directed [25]. Clean the treated area with mild, non-abrasive cleansers and lukewarm water only [6]. Stay away from facial massages, harsh skincare, high-heat environments like saunas, and smoking while you heal [26].

When to Contact Your Beauty Vault Provider

Some symptoms need immediate medical attention. Contact your Beauty Vault promptly if you notice:

Increased redness, warmth, or swelling that lasts beyond 48 hours [27].
Any discharge from entry points (especially if black, brown, red, or greenish) [27].
Fever or persistent headaches [27].
Pain that becomes severe or unusual [1].
Dimpling that won’t go away or thread pushing through the skin [23].

Quick medical attention for worrying symptoms will give you the best results and help protect your investment.

Plan a Wintertime PDO Thread Lift Treatment at the Beauty Vault

The season you choose for your PDO thread lift can substantially affect your recovery and results. Winter is often the ideal time because several factors work in your favor.

However, the timing of seasons is just one aspect to think about when planning facial rejuvenation procedures. For instance, you need a provider who cares as much about your needs and goals as you do. That’s why you should book a PDO thread lift appointment with the Beauty Vault team in West Hollywood. Get started by calling us at (323) 800-6770 or filling out a contact form.

FAQs

Q1. How long do the effects of PDO threads typically last?

The effects of PDO threads can last anywhere from one to three years. Barbed PDO threads, in particular, can provide visible results for up to nine months. However, the full collagen-boosting benefits may take several months to become noticeable.

Q2. Why is winter considered an ideal time for PDO thread treatments?

Winter offers several advantages for PDO thread treatments. Lower sun exposure reduces the risk of pigmentation issues, cooler temperatures help minimize post-procedure swelling, and the holiday season often provides more downtime for discreet recovery.

Q3. What are the common side effects of PDO thread lifts?

Common side effects include temporary swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the treated areas. You may also experience mild skin dimpling, soreness, facial stiffness when making expressions, and minor redness at insertion points. These effects typically subside within the first week after the procedure.

Q4. How can I extend the longevity of my PDO thread lift results?

To enhance and prolong your results, maintain a good skincare routine using medical-grade products with peptides and hyaluronic acid to support collagen production. Avoid aggressive facial massages, protect your skin from sun exposure, and follow your Beauty Vault provider’s aftercare instructions carefully, especially regarding heat exposure and physical activities.