PDO Thread Lift in Riverside
a lift without surgery
PDO thread lift in Riverside at Skin Clinic Med Spa. A non-surgical lift using dissolvable polydioxanone threads — immediate lift, collagen stimulation and minimal downtime, at an accessible entry price.
Ask about PLLA threads
What is a PDO thread lift,
and how does it work?
At Skin Clinic Med Spa, a PDO thread lift in Riverside is the most accessible way to lift sagging tissue without surgery — and for many patients, the perfect way to find out whether thread lifting suits them before committing to something longer-lasting.
PDO stands for polydioxanone, a synthetic polymer that has been used in dissolvable surgical sutures for decades and has the longest track record of any thread material. Using a fine cannula, your injector places the threads beneath the skin along carefully mapped vectors. Your body then absorbs them over roughly six to eight months, laying down fresh collagen along each thread path as it does.
There are three thread types, and we often combine them. Cog (barbed) threads have tiny bidirectional barbs that grip tissue and physically reposition it — this is what creates the lift. Mono (smooth) threads don’t lift but are placed in a mesh to firm and tighten the skin. Screw threads add subtle volume to hollow or crepey areas. Results typically last 6 to 12 months.
Every treatment is performed by licensed injectors under the medical direction of Dr. Syed W. Bokhari, MD. If you want a longer-lasting result, our PLLA thread lift uses a slower-dissolving material — and threads combine well with Sculptra or dermal fillers for volume beneath the lift.
Thread types &
where they work
Mono (Smooth) Threads
Fine smooth threads placed in a mesh pattern to stimulate collagen and firm skin — no mechanical lifting.
Screw & Tornado Threads
Twisted threads that add subtle volume and firmness to hollow or crepey areas.
Cog (Barbed) Threads
Barbed threads that grip and physically reposition sagging tissue for an immediate lift.
Early Jowls & Jawline
The most common reason patients try threads — softening jaw definition caught early.
Midface & Cheeks
Lifts descended cheek tissue back toward the cheekbone for a fresher midface.
Brow Lift
Subtly elevates a heavy brow — a popular, quick, low-commitment thread treatment.
Neck & Under Chin
Tightens mild laxity beneath the chin and along the upper neck.
Preventative Tightening
Mono threads used in your 30s and 40s to build collagen before laxity sets in.
The best way to try
thread lifting
Not sure threads are for you? PDO is the sensible place to start. It costs meaningfully less than PLLA and absorbs within six to eight months, so if you decide thread lifting isn't your thing, you haven't committed to a two-year result. Many of our patients start here and upgrade later.
- The most affordable thread material
- Absorbs in 6–8 months — a shorter commitment
- Longest clinical track record of any thread type
- Easy to move up to PLLA at your next treatment
Not all threads
do the same job
This is where thread lifts are often misunderstood. Cog threads are the only ones that physically lift — mono and screw threads improve firmness, texture and subtle volume instead. Most good treatments combine them: cogs to lift the structure, monos to improve the skin quality over it.
- Cog (barbed) threads reposition and lift tissue
- Mono (smooth) threads firm skin in a mesh pattern
- Screw threads add subtle volume to hollow areas
- We usually combine types in one treatment
Threads suit a
specific window
Most thread lift disappointment comes from poor patient selection. Threads work beautifully for mild to moderate laxity, roughly ages 35 to 55, with reasonable skin thickness. With significant sagging or very thin, sun-damaged skin, they underdeliver — and a surgical consultation is the honest recommendation.
- Ideal for mild to moderate laxity, roughly ages 35–55
- Needs reasonable skin thickness and elasticity
- Not a substitute for a surgical facelift
- We'll refer you to a surgeon if that's what you need
The treatment process
step by step
Consultation & candidacy
We assess your skin quality and degree of laxity, then confirm whether threads will genuinely deliver for you — and which thread types your treatment should combine.
Mapping your vectors
Your injector marks entry points and the exact directions each thread will follow. This planning determines the entire result, so we don't rush it.
Cleanse & anaesthetise
The area is thoroughly cleansed and local anaesthetic is placed at the entry points and along each thread path, keeping the procedure comfortable.
Thread placement
Threads are introduced through a fine cannula and gently drawn to lift tissue into position. A lower-face treatment usually takes 30–45 minutes.
Assess, trim & aftercare
We check symmetry with you, trim any excess thread at the entry points, and go through the aftercare restrictions — which genuinely determine how well your lift holds.
Your thread lift,
week by week
PDO collagen stimulation peaks around month three. Many patients treat annually to maintain and build on the result.
How to prep & care
for a lasting lift
Before your treatment
- Avoid blood thinners, fish oil and vitamin E for 5–7 days (with your doctor's approval)
- Skip alcohol for 24–48 hours to reduce bruising
- Tell us about any autoimmune condition or history of keloid scarring
- Reschedule if you have an active infection, breakout or cold sore
- Avoid dental work within two weeks either side of treatment
- Allow at least 3–4 weeks before a major event — bruising is common
- Plan a quiet couple of days afterwards
After your treatment
- Sleep on your back with your head elevated for at least a week
- Avoid exaggerated expressions, wide yawning and chewing gum for 2 weeks
- Stick to soft foods for several days — heavy chewing shifts the threads
- No facial massage, facials or dental work for 3–4 weeks
- Skip strenuous exercise, saunas and hot yoga for 2 weeks
- Don't rub, press or sleep on the treated areas
- Cool compresses help swelling in the first 48 hours
- Call us about any visible thread, persistent dimpling or signs of infection
How much does a PDO thread lift cost
in Riverside?
A PDO thread lift at Skin Clinic Med Spa starts at $900, depending on how many threads your treatment needs and which areas we’re treating. PDO is the most affordable thread material, which makes it an excellent starting point if you’re new to thread lifting.
Mono thread treatments for skin firming start lower, while a full lower-face lift with cog threads sits higher. Because thread count varies so much with anatomy and laxity, we quote precisely at consultation — and we’ll tell you honestly if threads aren’t the right answer.
First-time guests enjoy a special rate on their first treatment. Ask us about current pricing at your consultation.
Claim This OfferEstimated PDO thread lift pricing — Riverside, CA (confirm current pricing with our team)
| Treatment | Threads | Best For | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mono Thread Firming | 10–30 mono | Skin quality and texture, no lift | $600 |
| Brow Lift | 2–4 cog | Heavy or dropping brow | $600 |
| Jowls & Jawline | 4–6 cog | Early jowling, jaw definition | $900 |
| Midface & Cheeks | 4–6 cog | Descended cheek tissue | $900 |
| Full Face | 8–10 cog | Midface plus lower face | $1,600 |
| Neck & Under Chin | 6–10 threads | Mild neck laxity | From $1,100 |
PDO to start,
PLLA to last
Both work through the same mechanism — the difference is how long the material stays. PDO absorbs in six to eight months at a lower cost, making it ideal for a first thread lift or annual maintenance. PLLA takes twelve to eighteen months, stimulating collagen for longer and delivering results that last roughly twice as long. We'll help you choose based on your goals and budget, not on what we'd rather sell.
Compare Thread OptionsWhy patients trust us
Skin Clinic for threads
Vector planning, not guesswork
Where threads go and which direction they pull determines everything. Ours are mapped carefully before a single thread is placed.
Physician-supervised
Threads are a minor surgical procedure, not a facial. Care is overseen by our Medical Director, Dr. Syed W. Bokhari, MD, with proper sterile technique.
Honest about materials
We offer both PDO and PLLA and will recommend based on your goals and budget. If threads won't deliver what you want at all, we'll tell you that too.
Jessica Bokhari, NP
Founder & Lead Injector
Jessica is a Family Nurse Practitioner and the founder of Skin Clinic Med Spa. Since 2014 she has specialized in natural, structural facial rejuvenation — combining thread types thoughtfully rather than applying one approach to every face. Her honesty about what non-surgical treatment can achieve is why Riverside trusts her.
Which is right for you?
Both lift without surgery, but they're very different commitments. Here's how to choose.
PDO Thread Lift
Surgical Facelift
Questions,
answered
A PDO thread lift at Skin Clinic Med Spa starts at $900 for the lower face, with mono thread firming treatments from $600 and a full face around $1,600. Pricing depends on how many threads your anatomy requires, and we quote precisely at consultation. (Please confirm current pricing with our team.)
Typically 6 to 12 months. The threads absorb within about six to eight months, but the collagen they stimulate keeps the result visible for a while afterwards. If you want longer, PLLA threads dissolve over 12 to 18 months and results generally last 12 to 24.
Both work the same way; the material differs. PDO absorbs in 6 to 8 months and costs less, making it a great first thread lift. PLLA — the same polymer as Sculptra — takes 12 to 18 months, so it stimulates collagen for longer and results last roughly twice as long, at a higher price.
No. A surgical facelift removes excess skin and repositions deeper structures, lasting many years. A thread lift repositions existing tissue without removing anything, giving a subtler improvement for 6 to 12 months with PDO. If your laxity is significant, we'll recommend a surgical consultation instead.
Local anaesthetic is placed along each thread path, so the procedure is comfortable. Afterwards expect tightness, tenderness, swelling and often bruising. Most patients feel social within two to three days, though bruising can last one to two weeks — plan three to four weeks before an event.
Cog (barbed) threads are the only type that physically lifts — the barbs grip tissue and hold it repositioned. Mono (smooth) threads are placed in a mesh to firm skin and stimulate collagen without lifting. Screw threads add subtle volume to hollow areas. Most treatments combine them.
Threads work best for mild to moderate laxity, roughly ages 35 to 55, with reasonable skin thickness and elasticity to hold the lift. They're less effective with significant sagging or very thin, sun-damaged skin. We assess this honestly at consultation and will refer you on if surgery is the better answer.
Yes. Because they fully absorb, many patients treat annually — and because each round stimulates more collagen, results often build over time. You can also switch to PLLA at a later treatment if you'd like longer-lasting results.
What our patients say
thread lift patients say
“I wanted to try threads without committing to the priciest option. PDO was the perfect starting point — visible lift along my jaw and it lasted the better part of a year.”
“They combined cog threads for the lift with monos for my skin texture and explained exactly why. The difference in firmness months later was the part that surprised me most.”
“Bruised for about ten days, exactly as they warned, so I'd booked it well before my daughter's wedding. By week three it looked so natural nobody guessed.”
Try thread lifting
without the commitment
Book a consultation and we'll assess your laxity honestly, explain what PDO threads can realistically achieve, and help you choose between PDO and PLLA — physician-supervised, right here in Riverside.
Book a Consultation