PDO Threads Treatment Care Instructions

Avoid blood thinners and NSAIDs. Stop aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and similar NSAIDs 7 days before treatment. If you take prescription blood thinners, do not stop without speaking to your prescribing physician first. 

Pause blood-thinning supplements such as vitamin E, fish oil/omega-3s, ginkgo, and ginseng for 7–10 days prior. If any of these are medically necessary, check with your prescribing physician before stopping. 

Avoid alcohol for 48–72 hours before your treatment to minimize bruising and swelling. 

If you have recently received neurotoxin or filler in the area being treated, please discuss timing with your provider. Neurotoxin and filler treatments should be separated from PDO Threads by at least 2 weeks. 

Avoid dental procedures, including cleanings and dental work, for 2 weeks before and after treatment. 

Pause smoking and vaping, ideally for 1–2 weeks before and after. Nicotine impairs healing. 

Consider starting Arnica 3–5 days prior to help minimize bruising and swelling (optional, ask your provider). 

Set yourself up for success. Hydrate well in the 24–48 hours leading up to your appointment, eat a light meal beforehand to keep you comfortable, and arrive with clean skin: no makeup, SPF, or product on the treatment area. 

Disclose your full history with your provider, including every medication, supplement, allergy, prior cosmetic treatment, and any history of cold sores. 

Plan ahead. Avoid scheduling threads within 2–3 weeks of a major event such as a wedding, photos, or travel. 

Reschedule if needed. Cold sores, infection, illness, or open skin in the treatment area requires postponement. 

Apply a cold compress gently, 10–15 minutes on and 10–15 minutes off, for the first 24 hours. No pressure or massage. 

Sleep on your back with your head elevated for the first 48 hours to reduce swelling and prevent thread displacement. 

Hands off. No touching, rubbing, or massaging the area. 

Gentle cleansing only. Use a mild cleanser and pat dry. Avoid scrubbing for 7 days. 

Avoid makeup on the treatment area for 24 hours. 

Minimize big facial movements. Avoid wide yawning and exaggerated expressions. 

Use Tylenol (acetaminophen) only for discomfort, and avoid NSAIDs for 48–72 hours post-treatment. 

Skip alcohol for 48–72 hours, as it worsens swelling and bruising. 

Stick to a soft diet for 3–5 days. No chewing gum or hard, crunchy foods, and cut food into small pieces. 

Avoid strenuous exercise for 72 hours. Light walking is fine. 

Avoid heat, including saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, hot yoga, and tanning beds, for 72 hours. 

Protect your skin from the sun. Once entry points are sealed, wear SPF 30+ daily. 

Avoid facial treatments, including facials, peels, lasers, microneedling, RF, and ultrasound, for 3–4 weeks. Professional facial massage should wait 4 weeks. 

Avoid dental work for 2 weeks, as prolonged mouth-opening can shift threads. 

Avoid neurotoxin or filler treatments in the treated area for at least 2 weeks after your PDO Threads appointment unless otherwise directed by your provider. 

Mild swelling, tenderness, or bruising that peaks at 24–72 hours and improves over 1–2 weeks. 

It’s normal to feel some tightness or pulling as the tissue settles — this typically fades within 1–3 weeks. You may also notice mild discomfort when chewing, smiling, or making facial expressions during the first few days, which should ease as swelling goes down. 

Small dimples or puckering near entry points, typically resolving within a few days to two weeks. 

Mild asymmetry during the healing phase, which often evens out as swelling resolves. 

Pinpoint redness or scabs at insertion sites that heal within several days. 

Pain that is worsening or not controlled by Tylenol. 

Swelling that increases after 72 hours rather than improving. 

Signs of infection, including spreading redness, warmth, drainage, pus, fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills. 

A thread that is visible, palpable at the surface, or poking through the skin. 

Persistent dimpling, puckering, or visible irregularity lasting beyond 2 weeks. 

Numbness, tingling, or facial weakness that does not improve within a few days or is worsening. 

New, firm, painful nodules or lumps. 

Significant asymmetry that persists after swelling has resolved.