Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 3, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Facial Rejuvenation Therapy with Post-Laser Salicylic Acid Application
Published on: September 27, 2024
Polydioxanone Threads for Facial Rejuvenation: Analysis of Quality Variation in the Market
Matthias M Aitzetmueller1, Carolina Centeno Cerdas1, Phillipp Nessbach1
1From the Departments of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery and Orthopedics and Sportsorthopaedics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München; the Biotechnology Research Center, Costa Rica Institute of Technology; the College of Pharmacy, University of Florida; and the Section for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kepler University Hospital.
Background:
Beside botulinum-toxin injections and hyaluronic acid fillers, thread lifts have established themselves as the third column of minimally invasive facial rejuvenation. Most commonly, barbed threads for this approach are made out of polydioxanone, a material known for decades from application in resorbable sutures. The clinical efficacy and the putative material safety of polydioxanone have fueled the popularity of thread lifts.
Methods:
The present study highlights significant variation among six commercially available threads in microstructure, tensile strength, elasticity, anchoring capacity in human tissue, and biocompatibility.
Results:
Despite their license to be marketed and sold in the European Union, some products performed significantly worse than others on material testing, and even displayed cytotoxic characteristics.
Conclusion:
The results of this study are highly relevant for clinicians and may be linked to various typical side effects of polydioxanone threads for facial rejuvenation.
