PDO Threads Aftercare

Straight after treatment

Your threads need some care while they settle into place, and the first week is the most important.

• Rest for the remainder of the day.
• For the first 24 hours, hold a cold compress wrapped in a clean cloth against the treated areas to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Take paracetamol for mild discomfort. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen, which can make bruising worse.
• Keep make-up off the treated areas for 48 hours, then put it on and take it off gently.

The first week

• Don’t touch, rub or massage the treated areas.
• Sleep on your back with your head propped up.
• Keep your expressions gentle: avoid opening your mouth wide, big yawns, chewing gum and very hard food.
• Wash your face gently with a mild, non-abrasive cleanser, with no scrubs or exfoliants.
• Keep the points where the threads went in clean, and use a hydrating moisturiser that won’t block pores.

The first few weeks

• Light activity is fine from the next day, but avoid hard exercise for one to two weeks.
• Avoid saunas, steam rooms, sunbeds and strong sun for two weeks.
• Avoid facials and dental work for three to four weeks.
• Use a high-SPF sunscreen every day, as sun can make swelling worse and cause changes in pigmentation.

What’s normal

• Swelling for three to seven days and tenderness for two to three days.
• Bruising, which may take one to two weeks to fade.
• A tight or pulling feeling that eases over a few weeks.
• Small dimples or puckers along a thread, which usually smooth out as things settle.
• A little unevenness while each side settles in its own time.

Longer term

• Carry on using a high-SPF sunscreen every day.
• Eating well, exercising regularly and drinking plenty of water all help your skin.
• Come to your follow-up appointments so John can check how you’re getting on.