top of page

How PDO Threads Stimulate Collagen: The Science Explained

Alison Mary

Updated: Feb 4

Let’s talk about PDO mono threads—because let’s be honest, if you’re thinking about getting them, you probably want to know how the heck they actually work. Everyone keeps saying they “stimulate collagen,” but what does that even mean?

Do they sprinkle collagen dust under your skin? No, but what they do is pretty clever...

Let me break it down for you in a way that actually makes sense.



What Are PDO Mono Threads?


Imagine tiny, dissolvable stitches placed just under your skin—not to sew anything up, but to trick your body into producing more collagen. These little threads are made of polydioxanone (PDO), a material that’s completely biodegradable.

Your skin sees these threads and basically panics (in a good way). It thinks, "What’s this? Something foreign? Better start fixing this immediately!" And so, your fibroblasts get to work, pumping out fresh collagen to “repair” an injury that doesn’t actually exist. Genius, right?


 

But How Do PDO Threads Actually Stimulate Collagen?

Here’s what happens under your skin once those threads go in:


1. Fibroblasts Go into Overdrive:


Fibroblasts are the little workers responsible for making collagen (think of the Doozers in Fraggle Rock... if you know, you know 😉).

When PDO threads are inserted, they kick into high gear, thinking they need to heal something.

The result? A whole lot more collagen and elastin, which makes your skin firmer, tighter, and smoother over time.


2. Increased Blood Flow = Healthier Skin:


PDO threads create a tiny bit of controlled trauma (nothing painful, don’t worry), which means more blood rushes to the area. More blood = more oxygen and nutrients = better skin regeneration. Think of it like your skin getting a direct IV drip of everything it needs to rebuild itself.


3. The Collagen Wrap Effect:


A, B & C are 3 biopsies of the skin before any treatments so show collagen and elastin formation. The skin looks wavy and not uniformed. D, E & F are biopsies taken after collagen inducing treatments. You can see the skin is more dense with new collagen, and smoother.
A, B & C are 3 biopsies of the skin before any treatments so show collagen and elastin formation. The skin looks wavy and not uniformed. D, E & F are biopsies taken after collagen inducing treatments. You can see the skin is more dense with new collagen, and smoother.


Now, this is where things get interesting. Your body doesn’t just produce random collagen—it actually starts wrapping new collagen fibers around the PDO threads like a cocoon. This reinforces your skin’s structure, making it naturally firmer.


Even better? When the threads dissolve after a few months, the collagen stays, so you get long-term tightening and skin thickening.


 

What’s Actually Happening Under Your Skin?


Unlike instant-fix treatments like Botox or filler, PDO threads work in phases. Here’s the timeline:


📆 Weeks 1-4: Your skin is adjusting. You might feel a bit of tightness, but there’s no major change yet. Patience!


📆 Months 1-3: Fibroblasts are officially on the job, building new collagen around the threads. This is when you start noticing improvements—a little tighter, a little smoother.


📆 Months 3-6: The threads are dissolving, but by now, your skin has built its own natural support system. This is where results really start to show.


📆 Months 6-12: Even though the threads are gone, the fresh collagen remains, keeping your skin firmer and more lifted. If you maintain it well, results can last over a year!


 

How to Get the Best Results (Because Not All PDO Treatments Are Created Equal)!


If you want the best collagen boost possible, here’s what you need to know:


More Threads = More Collagen – If someone offers you "a few threads" for a full face, run. You need at least 100+ threads per session to create a proper collagen scaffold.


Pair It with Other Treatments – If you want next-level results, combine PDO threads with CO2 fractional laser, RF microneedling or biostimulators like Sculptra or hyperdilute Radiesse to supercharge collagen production.


Look After Your Skin – No point stimulating collagen if you’re smoking, sunbathing, and living off junk food. A healthy diet (hello, protein!), medical-grade skincare, and hydration all help maintain results.


Find a Practitioner Who Actually Knows Their Stuff – If someone says, “Oh, I’ll just put in 10 threads and you’ll be good to go,” walk away. They either don’t understand collagen stimulation or are just after a quick sale.


 

Final Thoughts: PDO Threads Are a Long-Term Investment in Your Skin:


If you’re looking for instant, dramatic changes, PDO mono threads aren’t for you. But if you want gradual, natural-looking skin tightening that gets better over time, they’re one of the best collagen-stimulating treatments out there.


The secret to success? Enough threads, the right placement, and a practitioner who actually understands skin biology.




 

PDO threads are one of the best ways to rebuild collagen—here’s how they work.


For a complete strategy on maintaining collagen, this longevity guide is a must-read.



Comments


bottom of page