Thread Lifts
The PDO thread lift is a technique-sensitive procedure that requires a detailed understanding of facial anatomy, tissue movement, and the changes that occur with aging.
Lifting threads gently reposition descended soft tissue, restoring definition to facial contours without surgery. As the threads gradually dissolve, they stimulate collagen production, supporting skin firmness and quality. Results depend on careful patient selection, precise placement, and an understanding of how the face moves and ages.
Dr. Sue Min Mak has performed PDO thread lifts since 2016. Her approach emphasizes natural contours, appropriate lifting, and results that remain harmonious with the rest of the face.
“Think of this as a natural, regenerative procedure.
We actually like the threads to dissolve — no foreign product long term. Only you, with the collagen framework we have strategically designed.”
What we treat
Most patients come with concerns about the lower face — jowling, the softening of the jawline, the heaviness that appears when the cheeks begin to descend. These are among the areas where thread lifts produces the most meaningful results, particularly when anatomy is well-suited to the procedure.
Lifting threads address the jowls and jawline, the cheeks and midface, and the neck. Smooth threads improve skin quality throughout the face and are particularly effective for patients who want regenerative improvement without a physical lift.
For patients who have had a surgical facelift, threads offer an excellent way to maintain the result and address changes that occur over time. The two approaches are not in competition. They work together, each serving a different moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, when performed by an experienced thread lift specialist using FDA-cleared threads. The safety and quality of the result depend on the skill, experience, and anatomical understanding of the person performing the procedure. Dr. Mak has been performing PDO thread lifts since 2016 with training in the US and Korea.
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The concerns are legitimate. Thread lifting is technique-sensitive, and poor results happen when the procedure is performed without sufficient experience. The answer is not to avoid threads — it is to be very selective about who performs them. Look at the work. Understand the training. Ask how long they have been doing this and where they have trained. Those answers matter more than any reassurance.
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Yes — when performed well and in the right candidate. Thread lifting is anatomy-dependent. Not every patient is a good candidate, and part of skilled practice is knowing who will benefit most. This is exactly why a thorough consultation is always the first step.
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Results vary by patient, age, skin quality, and how well the body produces collagen. For lifting threads, results in ideal candidates last years — most patients find they want a maintenance visit somewhere between 18 months and several years. Older patients or those with accelerated aging tend to refresh closer to 18 months. Smooth threads follow a different schedule — maintenance every 6 to 12 months supports ongoing collagen production.
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Recovery is minimal. Most patients return to work the next day. Some mild swelling and bruising is normal and typically resolves within a few days. Strenuous exercise is avoided for two to three weeks.
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A surgical facelift and PDO thread lifts are not in competition. They serve different patients at different moments. For someone not ready for surgery, or who will never choose it, thread lifts are the most effective non-surgical lifting option available. For someone post-facelift, threads are excellent for maintaining the result and refining over time.
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No. PDO threads dissolve completely over several months. This is intentional. The goal is to stimulate your own collagen and create a framework your tissue maintains long after the threads are gone. No foreign product remains. Only you — with the collagen your body has built around the structure we created.
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Yes, and the best results often come from targeting multiple areas and concerns using multiple modalities. Neuromodulator treatment, lifting threads, smooth threads, filler, and regenerative treatments each address something different. When combined thoughtfully, the results are more comprehensive, more natural, and longer lasting.
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Patients travel from across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New England for this procedure.
Yes — during your consultation. Our patients are private, and we honor that. Results are shared in person, not publicly.