Beyond the Lift: Why Smooth PDO Threads Are Becoming a Favorite for Natural Skin Rejuvenation
When people hear about PDO threads, they often think of dramatic lifting procedures. While lifting threads certainly have their place, Smooth PDO Threads offer something entirely different—and for many patients, even more appealing.
Rather than physically lifting sagging tissue, Smooth PDO Threads work beneath the skin to stimulate your body’s own collagen production. The result isn’t a dramatically different face. Instead, it’s healthier, firmer, more youthful-looking skin that continues to improve gradually over time.
At her Henderson, Nevada practice, Marielaina Perrone, DDS, incorporates Smooth PDO Threads into comprehensive facial rejuvenation plans for patients seeking subtle, natural-looking improvements without surgery or significant downtime.
If your goal is refreshed skin rather than an obvious cosmetic procedure, Smooth PDO Threads may be an excellent option.
What Are Smooth PDO Threads?
PDO (Polydioxanone) threads are ultra-fine, absorbable medical sutures that have been safely used in surgery for decades.
Unlike barbed lifting threads, Smooth PDO Threads contain no hooks or anchors. Instead, multiple smooth threads are strategically placed beneath the skin to stimulate your body’s natural healing response.
As the threads gradually dissolve over several months, they encourage new collagen formation that continues long after the threads themselves have disappeared.
The treatment is designed to improve skin quality rather than reposition facial tissues.
Think of Smooth Threads as “Collagen Therapy”
Many cosmetic treatments replace lost volume or temporarily relax muscles.
Smooth PDO Threads work differently.
Instead of adding something to the face, they encourage your skin to rebuild itself.
Over time, collagen production helps improve:
- Skin firmness
- Elasticity
- Texture
- Fine lines
- Overall skin quality
The improvements develop gradually, making the results appear natural rather than sudden.
Why Collagen Matters
Collagen is the structural protein responsible for youthful, resilient skin.
Beginning in our mid-20s, collagen production naturally declines by approximately 1% each year.
This gradual loss contributes to:
- Thinner skin
- Fine wrinkles
- Reduced elasticity
- Crepey texture
- Mild skin laxity
Smooth PDO Threads help stimulate the body’s natural collagen-producing cells, creating healthier skin from within.
Benefits of Smooth PDO Threads
Patients often choose Smooth PDO Threads because they provide subtle, progressive improvements without surgery.
Potential benefits include:
- Increased collagen production
- Firmer skin
- Improved elasticity
- Softer fine lines
- Better skin texture
- Healthier skin quality
- Minimal downtime
- Natural-looking rejuvenation
- Long-lasting collagen remodeling
Many patients appreciate that friends notice they look refreshed without immediately recognizing why.
Areas That Can Be Treated
Smooth PDO Threads are remarkably versatile.
Common treatment areas include:
Around the Mouth
Helps soften fine “smoker’s lines” and improve skin texture.
Cheeks
Stimulates collagen while improving overall skin quality.
Jawline
May improve mild skin laxity and create smoother contours.
Neck
A popular treatment for crepey skin and early aging changes.
Under the Chin
Can improve skin quality beneath the jawline.
Forehead
May improve fine lines and overall skin texture.
Around the Eyes
Helps improve thin, delicate skin while supporting collagen production.
Décolletage
Often used to rejuvenate sun-damaged chest skin.
What Makes Smooth Threads Different from Lifting Threads?
Many patients assume all PDO threads are identical.
They are not.
Smooth Threads
Focus on:
- Collagen stimulation
- Skin rejuvenation
- Texture improvement
- Fine lines
- Skin quality
Barbed Threads
Focus on:
- Mechanical lifting
- Tissue repositioning
- Facial contour improvement
- Mild to moderate sagging
Some patients benefit from one approach, while others achieve the best results by combining both.
The Treatment Experience
Smooth PDO Thread placement is typically performed in the office.
Treatment generally includes:
- Consultation
- Treatment planning
- Topical or local anesthesia
- Careful thread placement
- Post-treatment instructions
Most appointments take less than an hour, depending on the number of treatment areas.
Is the Procedure Painful?
Most patients report minimal discomfort.
Local anesthesia helps keep treatment comfortable.
Following treatment, patients may experience:
- Mild swelling
- Temporary tenderness
- Minor bruising
- Tightness
These effects generally improve within several days.
When Will I See Results?
Unlike dermal fillers, Smooth PDO Threads are not designed to produce immediate cosmetic changes.
Instead, improvements develop gradually.
Typical timeline:
First Few Weeks
Mild improvements as early healing begins.
One to Three Months
Collagen production increases.
Skin begins feeling firmer and smoother.
Three to Six Months
Many patients notice the most significant improvements during this period.
Because collagen remodeling continues after treatment, results often become more noticeable over time.
How Long Do Results Last?
Although the threads dissolve naturally over several months, the collagen they stimulate may continue providing cosmetic benefits well beyond that period.
Many patients enjoy improvements lasting approximately 12 to 18 months, depending on:
- Age
- Skin quality
- Lifestyle
- Sun exposure
- Smoking
- Individual collagen response
Maintenance treatments may help prolong results.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Smooth PDO Threads may be ideal for patients who:
- Want natural-looking improvement
- Have mild to moderate skin laxity
- Notice thinning skin
- Prefer non-surgical treatment
- Want collagen stimulation
- Wish to delay more invasive procedures
Patients with realistic expectations generally experience the greatest satisfaction.
Can Smooth Threads Be Combined with Other Treatments?
Absolutely.
One reason Smooth PDO Threads have become increasingly popular is their ability to complement other aesthetic procedures.
They may be combined with:
- Botox®
- Juvederm® fillers
- Laser resurfacing
- Microneedling
- Chemical peels
- Medical-grade skincare
Rather than replacing other treatments, Smooth Threads often enhance an overall facial rejuvenation strategy.
Safety and Recovery
PDO threads have been used safely in medicine for decades.
Following treatment, patients are generally advised to:
- Avoid strenuous exercise for several days
- Sleep with the head elevated
- Avoid excessive facial manipulation
- Follow all post-treatment instructions
Most patients return to normal daily activities quickly.
A Natural Approach to Healthy Aging
One of the biggest trends in facial aesthetics is moving away from “overdone” cosmetic procedures.
Today’s patients increasingly want treatments that preserve facial expression and enhance their natural appearance.
Smooth PDO Threads fit perfectly into this philosophy.
Rather than dramatically changing your face, they help support healthier skin that ages more gracefully.
“Many patients aren’t looking to look different—they simply want their skin to look healthier, smoother, and more refreshed. Smooth PDO Threads are one of my favorite treatments because they work with the body’s natural collagen production to create gradual, elegant improvements.”
— Marielaina Perrone, DDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Smooth PDO Threads lift the face?
Not significantly. Their primary purpose is collagen stimulation and skin rejuvenation rather than mechanical lifting.
How many threads are needed?
The number depends on the treatment area, skin quality, and cosmetic goals. Your treatment plan is customized during your consultation.
Can Smooth PDO Threads replace a facelift?
No. Patients with significant skin laxity may benefit more from surgical procedures. Smooth Threads are designed for mild to moderate aging changes and collagen stimulation.
When can I wear makeup?
Many patients can resume makeup within 24 hours, provided there are no complications and after following your provider’s instructions.
Are the results permanent?
No. The threads dissolve naturally, but the collagen they stimulate can provide benefits for many months. Periodic maintenance treatments may help sustain results.
Healthy Skin Begins Beneath the Surface
Looking younger isn’t always about adding volume or creating dramatic changes. Sometimes, the best results come from encouraging your skin to function the way it did years ago.
Smooth PDO Threads offer a minimally invasive way to stimulate collagen, improve skin quality, and achieve subtle, natural-looking facial rejuvenation with little downtime.
If you’re interested in non-surgical facial rejuvenation in Henderson, NV, schedule a consultation with Marielaina Perrone, DDS to learn whether Smooth PDO Threads can help you achieve healthier, firmer, and more youthful-looking skin.
Are Smooth PDO Threads Right for Your Skin Goals?
Smooth PDO threads are not designed to create dramatic surgical lifting or replace lost facial volume. Their role is more subtle: supporting gradual skin rejuvenation and collagen remodeling. Select each question to decide whether this approach fits your goals.
1. What Would You Like to Improve?Start with the concern—not the treatment
Facial aging does not happen in only one way. Fine lines, texture changes, loss of firmness, volume loss, and skin laxity are different concerns and may require different solutions. Smooth PDO threads may be considered when the goal is gradual improvement in skin quality rather than significant lifting or replacement of lost volume.
✓ Fine lines and early textural changes
✓ Mild loss of firmness
✓ Crepey or aging skin appearance
✓ Desire for gradual, subtle rejuvenation
“Successful facial rejuvenation begins by understanding what bothers the patient—not by choosing a treatment first.”
— Marielaina Perrone, DDS
2. What Exactly Are Smooth PDO Threads?Understanding what the treatment can—and cannot—do
Smooth PDO threads are absorbable polydioxanone sutures placed beneath the skin. Unlike barbed lifting threads, smooth threads are not primarily intended to mechanically reposition sagging tissue. They are placed to create a controlled tissue response as the material gradually dissolves, with collagen formation and remodeling occurring around the treated area.
✓ They are not dermal fillers
✓ They do not work like Botox®
✓ They are not a surgical facelift
✓ Improvement develops gradually rather than instantly
3. Smooth PDO Threads, Botox, or Juvederm?Different treatments solve different problems
These treatments are not interchangeable. Botox® is used to temporarily reduce targeted muscle activity. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm® are used to add or restore volume in selected areas. Smooth PDO threads take a different approach by encouraging a tissue-healing and collagen response.
✓ Botox®: targets selected muscle movement
✓ Juvederm®: restores or adds volume
✓ Smooth PDO Threads: focus on gradual tissue remodeling and skin quality
“The question should not be which treatment is better. The question is which treatment addresses the change we are trying to improve.”
— Marielaina Perrone, DDS
4. When Will You See a Difference?Think gradual improvement—not overnight transformation
Because smooth PDO thread treatment relies partly on the body’s tissue response, results develop over time and vary among patients. Early changes may be subtle, with additional improvement appearing as collagen remodeling progresses over the following weeks and months.
✓ Immediately after: temporary swelling, tenderness, bruising, or redness can occur
✓ Following weeks: the treatment area settles as the tissue response develops
✓ Following months: collagen remodeling may contribute to gradual improvement
✓ Longer term: results and longevity vary by patient, treatment area, and plan
5. Who May Be a Good Candidate?Matching expectations to realistic outcomes
Smooth PDO threads may appeal to patients experiencing early skin changes who want a minimally invasive approach and understand that improvement is generally subtle and progressive. A consultation is necessary to evaluate skin condition, medical history, medications, anatomy, and treatment goals.
✓ Early or mild signs of skin aging
✓ Interest in collagen-focused rejuvenation
✓ Preference for subtle rather than dramatic change
✓ Realistic expectations about results and longevity
6. What Should a Good Result Look Like?Refreshed skin without looking overtreated
The goal of smooth PDO thread treatment is not to create a different face. When appropriately selected and performed, the desired change is subtle—skin that appears refreshed, smoother, firmer, or healthier without an obvious sign that a cosmetic treatment was performed.
✓ Subtle improvement in skin quality
✓ Softer appearance of selected fine lines
✓ Improved appearance of firmness or texture in appropriate cases
✓ Natural facial expression remains unchanged
“The goal isn’t to make someone look different. It’s to help the skin look naturally refreshed while preserving what makes the face individual.”
— Marielaina Perrone, DDS
7. Can Smooth PDO Threads Be Part of a Larger Plan?Facial aging rarely has only one cause
Muscle movement, volume loss, skin quality, pigmentation, texture, and laxity are separate components of facial aging. For appropriate patients, smooth PDO threads may therefore be considered as one part of a broader rejuvenation strategy rather than expected to correct every concern by themselves.
✓ Botox® for selected dynamic expression lines
✓ Dermal fillers for selected volume concerns
✓ Skin treatments chosen for texture, tone, or surface concerns
✓ Professional skincare and sun protection for ongoing maintenance
8. Are Smooth PDO Threads Worth Considering for You?The answer depends on the result you actually want
Smooth PDO threads may be worth considering when your goal is gradual skin rejuvenation rather than dramatic lifting, muscle relaxation, or volume replacement. They are less likely to satisfy someone expecting an immediate or surgical-level transformation. The decision should follow an evaluation of your anatomy, health history, skin condition, and expectations.
✓ You prefer subtle improvement
✓ You understand results develop gradually
✓ Your primary concern involves skin quality rather than major volume loss
✓ You have realistic expectations about nonsurgical treatment
“Good aesthetic treatment isn’t about doing everything possible. It’s about choosing what makes sense for that person, at that moment.”
— Marielaina Perrone, DDS
A Personalized Approach to Facial Rejuvenation
Smooth PDO threads are not appropriate for every patient or every aesthetic concern. Treatment recommendations should follow an in-person assessment of skin quality, facial anatomy, medical history, medications, goals, risks, and available alternatives. Results, recovery, and longevity vary.
About Marielaina Perrone, DDS
Dr. Marielaina Perrone, DDS, is a trusted cosmetic and family dentist in Henderson, NV, known for helping patients achieve healthy,
beautiful smiles through personalized, compassionate care. With more than 20 years of clinical experience, she combines advanced dental expertise with an artistic eye to deliver exceptional results in porcelain veneers, dental implants, smile makeovers, periodontal therapy, Botox, dermal fillers, and facial aesthetic treatments.
A graduate with honors from Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Perrone remains committed to lifelong learning and regularly pursues advanced continuing education in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, and facial aesthetics. Her comprehensive approach focuses on enhancing oral health, facial harmony, and overall confidence through customized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique goals.
Dr. Perrone is passionate about patient education, preventive care, and building lasting relationships founded on trust, communication, and comfort. She believes every patient deserves individualized attention and treatment that supports both long-term health and a confident smile.
Proudly serving Henderson, Green Valley, Las Vegas, Summerlin, and surrounding communities, Dr. Perrone is dedicated to providing modern, patient-centered dentistry in a welcoming environment. Outside the office, she enjoys cooking, staying active, spending time with family, and participating in community activities throughout the Las Vegas Valley.
Reviewed for Clinical Accuracy
This article has been written and clinically reviewed by Marielaina Perrone, DDS, to ensure it reflects current evidence-based dentistry and the personalized philosophy of care practiced at her Henderson, Nevada office.
Last Reviewed: July 2026