The nasolabial folds are the clefts or wrinkles present from the edge of one’s nose down to the corners of the mouth. Most people tend to call them “smile lines” or “laugh lines.”
These lines are unavoidable with aging because there is a natural depletion of collagen, elasticity, and fat in the face. However, people eager to maintain a youthful appearance often find such lines worryingly deep and pronounced.
PDO threads and dermal fillers are two of the most recommended non-invasive skin procedures to help with the treatment of these folds.
But considering PDO threads vs filler for nasolabial folds, which one would suit you more? Let’s explore the two and see how they differ so that you can make an educated choice.
What are PDO Threads?
PDO (polydioxanone) threads are dissolving lines used for surgical procedures for many years. In recent years, they have become widely accepted into the beauty industry owing to their skin-lifting and tightening capabilities.
PDO threads stimulate collagen production as they slowly dissolve over time helping to create a younger and healthier-looking skin. They support the soft tissue and lift the skin.
Can PDO Threads Help Nasolabial Folds?
Knowing what PDO threads are, how do they get to work against the nasolabial folds?
The procedure is to introduce thin, absorbable, suture-like threads beneath the skin using a needle or cannula. The threads are used like a scaffold, helping to hold the skin in place and enhancing the production of collagen within the next several months.
With time, a natural tightening effect of the skin occurs that results in a slight elevation and lessens the severity of the nasolabial fold. This procedure, being minimally invasive, provides more of a natural appearance, in that the skin is not just made ‘plump’ but rather lifted and smoothed out.
An Introduction to Dermal Fillers?
To answer the question is filler better than PDO threads? Iit’s important to understand what both are. The term Dermal fillers describes an injectable treatment typically composed of hyaluronic acid. These fillers work by adding volume to hollow parts of the face which often develop as people age.
Results from filler injection procedures guarantee immediate satisfaction, which is one of the reasons for their recent popularity as a non-surgical cosmetic treatment.
How Do Dermal Fillers Work?
The treatment involves using a needle to inject the gel-like filling material into the skin to add volume and smooth the skin folds.
Hyaluronic acid fillers, which are the most common type, attract water to the area. Hence, they give the area that is filled with the material an instant plumping effect that improves the lines.
When used in the nasolabial folds, they fill in the lines to make the creases and deep grooves look less apparent. The end goal is to provide smooth, youthful skin.
Post-Procedure Care for PDO Threads and Dermal Fillers
The recovery period after any of these procedures is brief, however, aftercare remains important. Your physician may issue certain instructions and you must follow them precisely.
In addition, ensure that you adhere to the following general recommendations to encourage the best outcomes and prevent complications.
- Avoid heavy weights, strenuous workouts, or any activity that may cause tension in the treated zone for at least one week.
- Do not touch, apply pressure, or rub the treated zone for at least one day to avoid migration of the threads or fillers.
- For the first several days following the procedure, sleep on your back with your head elevated to manage swelling.
- Avoid strong skin care agents or any forms of skin treatments such as peeling, facials, or massages for about two weeks.
- Avoid excessive exposure to direct sunlight and hot environments such as saunas or hot water for two days as heat increases swelling.
- Do not drink alcohol or smoke to enable proper healing and prevent possible risks.
- Remember to drink lots of water especially after fillers as hyaluronic acid fillers are water-loving and will draw water to that part.
What Lasts Longer, PDO Threads or Fillers?
In the case of PDO threads, the threads that are inserted into the skin dissolve within six months, but the effects of the collagen that they stimulate (to smooth and tighten the skin) can last up to 18 months or longer.
If you opt for fillers, you can expect the results to last from 6 months to 2 years before any additional work becomes necessary. The time lapse can also be affected by the type of filler used. The common hyaluronic acid-based fillers can be easily broken down with an injection of hyaluronidase, which is a filler-dissolving enzyme.
PDO Threads vs Filler for Nasolabial Folds: The Key Differences
We have vaguely discussed both PDO threads and fillers so far. Let us now explore how the two differ in treating nasolabial folds.
- HOW THEY WORK
The first major differentiating factor between the nose threads and nose fillers is how they work.
PDO threads do their work primarily by lifting the skin. They also contribute to collagen production which causes a a natural tightening of the skin over time. Fillers on the other hand take up space beneath the skin and help provide firmness alongside volume for a youthful look.
- RESULTS
And due to the difference in how they work, the timeline for the appearance of results is also different. With PDO threads, the introduction of new collagen tissue develops over time. Thus, the lifting effect becomes more noticeable as time passes. Filler results, on the other hand, are immediate as the folds are filled up right after the treatment.
- NON-INVASIVENESS
Both procedures are also termed as non-invasive as opposed to the surgeries. However, PDO threads are minimally invasive. Although it is not a surgery, the process involves placing threads on the dermis thus some pain and or bruising may be expected.
Fillers, on the other hand, are non-invasive treatment methods and only involve a few injections.
- DOWNTIME
Both treatments have little downtime but lifting with PDO threads might need more than fillers.
With PDO threads, there may be some swelling, bruising, or discomfort for a few days following the procedure however most of the patients can go back to their normal routine within a week or two.
Fillers, on the other hand, have a relatively short downtime. There might be some bruising or swelling, but most patients do not stop normal activities after the procedure.
Is Filler Better Than PDO Threads? When Should You Choose PDO Threads?
In the discussion about PDO threads vs filler for nasolabial folds, PDO threads are best for creating a lifting effect rather than adding volume to the folds. PDO threads can lift the skin over the nasolabial fold that has begun to sag, creating a more youthful appearance if the cause of the folds was not volume loss but rather lax skin.
PDO threads might also be more suitable if you have dry or thin skin. PDO threads stimulate collagen production, helping to improve the overall texture of the skin over time. Fillers can also work, but there is a risk that they may be more visible under thinner skin.
This treatment is better suited for middle-aged people in their 40s and 50s because, for these people, the skin is a lot more sagging. This is as a result of age, so they may need some skin tightening for a more even appearance.
Also, because these results are slow to appear, they are good for those who are patient to see results.
Also, PDO threads can be supplemented with fillers or Botox injection for a more aggressive aesthetics correction.
Is Filler Better Than PDO Threads? When Should You Choose Dermal Fillers?
If your primary concern is the loss of volume around the nasolabial region, then it is likely that fillers will serve you best. It brings about changes immediately and works really well in filling in the deep folds formed as a result of loss of fat.
Dermal fillers can be a good option for most of the people in the thirties age range. Because their volume loss is still minimal, the fillers can enhance the area and smooth the wrinkles at the same time without the need for aggressive therapy.
In some cases, dermal fillers may also be the solution for oily or acne-prone skin patients. Since PDO threads are meant to be placed under the skin, there is a likelihood of getting infected if the skin is heavily contaminated with acne or has excess oil.
So in cases where patients suffer from a lot of acne, their aesthetician will most likely advise for the less invasive procedures like fillers which have a lesser risk of causing infections.
For the ones impatient to see the results or for people whose schedules do not allow any downtime, fillers are also a handy fix. They can also be reversed which is a sigh of relief for first-timers in injectable fillers.
PDO Threads vs Filler For Nasolabial Folds: Cost Comparisons
In general, PDO threads have a steep price, and they incur costs that range anywhere between $1,500 and $4000 depending on the area treated and the number of threads applied.
On the other hand, fillers come cheap, that is, they can range between $500 and $2,000, based on how much filler is needed as well as the brand.
Naturally, you have to understand that using cheaper filler will probably necessitate repeat sessions as early as 6 months, therefore, that is also an expense to you.
Combining PDO Threads and Fillers
When it comes to PDO threads vs filler for nasolabial folds, it is all too easy to think of it as one or the other. However some experts advise applying both methods at the same time for the best outcome. When PDO threads are used with fillers, the effects can be very natural and bear the test of time.
This combination method is the best of both worlds. The threads give the desired lift for drooping skin, while the fillers give back volumes that have been lost.
In the case of nasolabial folds, this combination helps in achieving a more flattering transition from the midface region to the lower face, reducing deep lines and giving a balanced facial structure. This two-pronged approach sufficiently faces problems of sagging external skin and loss of volume inside without surgery.
And of course, each face is unique. Therefore, the practitioner will modify the treatment plan depending on the type and the depth extent of your nasolabial folds, skin quality, and other factors.
Most cosmetic practitioners recommend first placing the PDO threads to provide a lift, then filling certain areas with fillers for a more satisfying and longer-lasting result.
Side Effects and Risks of PDO Threads and Fillers
Despite being non-invasive, and hence, generally considered safe, both procedures do have their side effects and risks.
PDO Threads
There are some temporary side effects that accompany PDO thread lifts like bruising, swelling, and discomfort at the insertion points.
However, some more severe, albeit rare, risks include:
- Infection
- Migration of the thread
- Asymmetrical result
- Allergic reaction to the thread material
- Extreme pain due to “tight” threads
In the end, the threads dissolve and are absorbed into the body, which also lessens the long-term threat.
Fillers
Injections of fillers may lead to commonly observed side effects such as bruising, swelling, and redness around the area where the fillings were injected.
There are also instances of serious side effects such as lumps or asymmetry, similar to that of PDO threads. More side effects include allergic responses or even migration of the filler, though these effects are rare.
Conclusion: Is Filler Better than PDO Threads or Vice Versa?
Deciding on PDO threads vs filler for nasolabial folds comes back to your own goals and concerns.
There are so many factors that would determine what kind of treatment you have to choose, like whether it is lax skin or loss of volume and even skin type. It also depends on how soon you want results and how long you want those results to last.
But both treatments are amazing as a non-surgical solution to nasolabial folds, and one can enjoy the rejuvenated, young-looking feature without undergoing an invasive kind of surgery.
It is highly recommended that, for better results, you consult the professionals who deal in nonsurgical facial treatments. They will give you recommendations based on your skin needs and help you achieve the look you want.
It is also advisable to use the best quality materials for whichever treatment you choose. That way, you get the best look and reduce the risks of dangerous side effects.
You can find those materials at Diaminy Aesthetics, where there are only the best and safest.
