One of the many methods of closing an open wound are dissolvable sutures – how long threads dissolve and are they completely safe to use? If you are interested in this topic, please read on – we explain why this method is so popular.
Dissolvable threads – how long do they take to dissolve in the body?
Dissolvable sutures are an extremely popular method of closing wounds after procedures or mechanical damage. What do dissolvable stitches look like? This is a special type of thread that is used to close wounds after surgery. They may look similar to regular non-dissolvable stitches – they are simply threads that pass through the skin. Are you wondering how to recognize dissolvable stitches? The type of suture can often be identified by its color: dissolvable sutures are often clear or have a natural, “leathery” color, while insoluble sutures are usually blue, black or white.
What Do Dissolvable Stitches Look Like in Aesthetic Medicine? (The PDO Thread Lift Explained)
While many people search for dissolvable sutures to understand how surgical wounds heal, there is a revolutionary application for these threads that goes beyond just closing cuts. In the world of aesthetic medicine, these same safe, medical-grade threads are the secret behind the non-surgical face lift.
If you are wondering “what do dissolvable stitches look like” because you are considering a cosmetic treatment to lift sagging skin, you are looking for PDO Threads.
Call our reception today to book your consultation.
The Science: From Closing Wounds to Lifting Faces
Surgical dissolvable stitches are traditionally used to close internal tissues after an operation. However, in a PDO Thread Lift, we use a specialized version of these threads made from Polydioxanone (PDO).
Unlike the smooth threads used in hospitals to close a wound, aesthetic PDO threads often have microscopic features designed to lift:
- They are not just smooth: High-end lifting threads contain tiny barbs, cogs, or cones.
- The “Velcro” Effect: These tiny structures act like velcro beneath the skin. They gently hook into the sagging tissue, allowing the doctor to physically lift the skin upwards to restore a youthful V-shape.
Click the Before and After Image to Read more about PDO Threads:
What Do Aesthetic Threads Actually Look Like?
To the naked eye, a PDO thread looks like a fine, translucent fishing line. However, under a microscope, their design reveals their function:
- Mono Threads (Smooth): These look like short, smooth hairs. They are placed in a mesh-like pattern to tighten skin and treat fine lines but do not provide a heavy lift.
- Cog/Barb Threads: These look like a stem with tiny thorns. These “thorns” open up under the skin to grip and lift heavy tissues like jowls or nasolabial folds.
- Screw/Twisted Threads: These look like a coiled spring. They are used to give volume to sunken areas, such as deep wrinkles.
Enter your phone number and our consultant will call you back …
How Long Do Threads Dissolve? (The Dual Benefit)
One of the most common questions we hear is: “If the threads dissolve, does the lift disappear?”
The answer is no. The beauty of the PDO thread lift lies in its dual action:
- Immediate Mechanical Lift (Months 0–6): The threads physically hold your skin in its new, lifted position. During this time, the threads are slowly breaking down (hydrolysis). Most dissolvable stitches in aesthetic medicine disappear completely within 6 to 9 months.
- Biological Lift (Months 6–18+): This is the “magic” phase. As the thread dissolves, your body treats it as a mild “injury” and rushes to repair it. It builds a tunnel of new collagen and elastin around the thread. Even after the thread is gone, this newly formed collagen structure remains, keeping your skin firm and tight for up to 18 months or more.
Why Choose Threads Over Surgery?
While a surgical facelift involves cutting skin and permanent sutures, a thread lift offers a minimal downtime alternative.
- No Scars: The threads are inserted via a tiny needle, leaving no visible scarring.
- Natural Results: Because it uses your own collagen, the result is a fresher version of you, not a “wind-blown” plastic look.
- Safety: Since PDO threads are fully biodegradable, the risk of long-term complications is significantly lower than with permanent implants.
Self-dissolving sutures are made of materials that gradually dissolve in the body. This means they don’t need to be removed by a doctor – they just disappear after a while. Therefore, the patient does not have to use the services of a surgeon again – so it is no wonder that solutions such as dissolvable sutures are being used more and more often. How long does it take for them to dissolve? The truth is that this time can vary depending on many factors!
Dissolvable stitches – how long does the body need to get rid of them?
We already know how useful dissolvable sutures are. How long does our body need to absorb them? This aspect depends on many factors. This is influenced by, among others, the type of suture, type of surgery, and even the specificity of a given organism. Generally speaking, most dissolvable stitches will begin to disappear after 1-2 weeks and will be completely gone after about 6 weeks.
Is it possible to recognize dissolvable stitches on your own? Although such decisions are better left to specialists employed by the aesthetic medicine clinic in London, there are a few tips that may help. As previously mentioned, we can often rely on the color of the thread. Moreover, if after a few weeks the stitches do not cause pain and there is almost no trace of them, the probability that they are dissolvable stitches is very high.
Even though dissolvable sutures are being used more and more often, they are not always the best option. It all depends on the type of surgery, the location and size of the wound, as well as the preferences of the patient and the surgeon. In some cases, specialists may decide that traditional non-dissolving sutures are better. Most dissolvable stitches will disappear completely, but in some cases small fragments may remain and these will also disappear over time. Do dissolvable stitches hurt? Pain sensations associated with dissolvable stitches may vary depending on the person and the location of the wound, but they usually do not cause severe pain. If you have dissolvable stitches, it is worth waiting a few days before bathing – it is necessary to make sure that the wound is well closed.
Due to their many advantages, such as comfort and lower risk of infection, dissolvable sutures are becoming more and more popular around the world. Remember that you should obtain any recommendations regarding postoperative wound care directly from your doctor. If you care about the best care, our clinic in London recommends its services!
Eskulap Aesthetic Medicine Clinic in London Greenford and Maple Cross Rickmansworth
To submit your Google Review, click the Star 
Homepage:
Media:
Treatments:
Treatments for face:
Treatments for body:
Cost of treatments:
Call our Clinic to book you assessment today 07747474755
Social media
Instargram:
https://www.instagram.com/eskulap.clinic/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/polskaklinika
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/polskaklinika/
LinkedIn:
https://uk.linkedin.com/company/eskulap-clinic-london
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnjXp2zHp55B-gbIxAqXkpQ