Sagging Face: Causes and Liquid Thread” PDO Lift Explained

Have you noticed your face looks less lifted, even when you feel rested? As we get older, facial sagging happens slowly and can change the way our features look.

Over time, changes in collagen, fat, and skin elasticity can soften your facial contours, reduce support, and lead to drooping. While this is a normal part of ageing, many people now look for non-surgical ways to manage these changes.

In this article, we’ll explain:

• Why does facial sagging happen
• Which areas are most commonly affected
• Available sagging face treatment options, including the liquid PDO thread lift

Why Facial Sagging Happens

Facial sagging has more than one cause. It results from changes in your skin, fat, and facial structure.

Collagen and Elastin Loss

Collagen and elastin keep your skin firm and elastic. By your late 20s, your body produces less collagen.

Over time:

• Skin becomes thinner
• Elasticity decreases
• The skin is less able to “bounce back”

This is one of the main reasons people begin to look for treatments for sagging skin.

A 2022 review in Dermatologic Therapy highlights that collagen decline is a primary driver of visible skin ageing and laxity.

Loss of Facial Volume

Facial fat not only affects your appearance but also supports your facial structure.

With age:

• Fat pads shrink or shift downward
• The mid-face loses fullness
• The lower face appears heavier

Because fat shifts, especially in the cheeks and jawline, many treatments aim to restore balance to these areas.

Gravity and Skin Laxity

Gravity affects us daily. As the skin’s support weakens, facial tissues gradually move downward.

This leads to:

• Jowls along the jawline
• Drooping cheeks
• Less defined facial contours

Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

Certain habits can cause sagging to happen earlier or increase the need for treatment:

• Sun exposure (UV damage breaks down collagen)
• Smoking (reduces blood flow and skin repair)
• Poor skincare
• Dehydration
• Chronic stress

The World Health Organisation identifies UV exposure as a major contributor to premature skin ageing.

Areas of the Face Commonly Affected by Sagging

Facial sagging appears differently for everyone. It often depends on how each person ages.

Cheeks and Mid-Face

The cheeks are usually among the first areas to show sagging.

• Cheeks lose volume and appear flatter
• Skin begins to shift downward
• The face may look more tired or hollow

This is why many people look for treatment options early on.

Jawline and Jowls

As support weakens:

• The jawline becomes less defined.
• Jowls may form along the lower face.

This can cause the lower face to look heavier or less defined.

Nasolabial Folds and Marionette Lines

Sagging tissue can deepen lines around the mouth:

• Nasolabial folds (nose to mouth lines)
• Marionette lines (corners of the mouth downward)

These changes can make you look older or more tired.

What Is a Liquid PDO Thread Lift?

A liquid PDO thread lift is a minimally invasive treatment that can improve skin firmness and support without surgery.

PDO, or polydioxanone, is a biodegradable material often used in medical stitches. In cosmetic treatments, it’s used in another form to help stimulate the skin.

Unlike traditional thread lifts that physically lift the skin, a liquid PDO thread lift works by:

• Encouraging collagen production
• Improving skin structure
• Supporting areas with mild sagging

This makes it a newer option for people who want gradual, natural-looking results.

How Liquid PDO Thread Lift Helps Treat Sagging Face

Collagen Stimulation

The main benefit of a liquid PDO thread lift is that it triggers your body’s natural healing response.

This leads to:

• Increased collagen production
• Strengthening of skin support structures

A 2023 study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal reported that PDO-based treatments can enhance collagen synthesis over time, improving skin firmness.

Skin Tightening Effect

As collagen rebuilds, the skin becomes firmer.

This gradual tightening:

• Helps reduce mild sagging
• Improves overall facial contour

Unlike treatments that give instant results, the effects of a liquid PDO thread lift appear gradually over time.

Improvement in Skin Quality

Beyond lifting, a liquid PDO thread lift may also improve:

• Skin texture
• Elasticity
• Overall skin resilience

This means a liquid PDO thread lift can improve both the structure and quality of your skin.

Liquid PDO Thread Lift Side Effects

Like any cosmetic procedure, a liquid PDO thread lift can have some temporary side effects.

Common Side Effects

Most side effects are mild and go away quickly:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Redness
• Tenderness at injection sites

These typically resolve within a few days.

Less Common Risks

Although uncommon, possible liquid PDO thread lift side effects may include:

• Infection
• Minor skin irregularities
• Temporary asymmetry

These risks are usually lower when the procedure is done by a trained medical professional.

Other Non-Surgical Sagging Face Treatment Options

Not everyone needs the same treatment. Often, a personalised plan combines several methods to get the best results.

Energy-Based Skin Tightening Treatments

These include:

• Ultrasound-based treatments
• Radiofrequency treatments

These treatments work differently from liquid PDO thread lifts. They use heat to reach deeper layers of the skin and boost collagen production, while liquid PDO thread lifts use dissolvable threads to encourage natural collagen without heat.

Collagen-Stimulating Treatments

Other supportive treatments include:

• Microneedling
• Skin boosters

These treatments help improve skin quality and can be used together with other options for sagging skin.

Who May Consider Liquid PDO Thread Lift?

You might wonder who should consider a liquid PDO thread lift. It may be a good choice for people who:

• Have mild to moderate facial sagging
• Prefer non-surgical treatments
• Are looking for gradual, natural improvements

However, if sagging is more advanced, other treatments or a combination of options may be needed.

When Should You Seek Medical Advice for Sagging Skin?

It’s important to know when to ask a doctor for advice about sagging skin. You may want to see a doctor if:

• Sagging becomes more noticeable over time
• Multiple concerns (volume loss, wrinkles, laxity) appear together
• You are considering aesthetic treatments

A proper assessment helps make sure your treatment matches your facial structure and what you want to achieve.

Understanding Sagging Face and Available Treatment Options

Facial sagging occurs slowly due to collagen loss, volume changes, and looser skin. These changes can affect many areas of the face, including the cheeks and jawline.

Today, there are many treatment options for sagging skin, such as liquid PDO thread lifts, energy-based therapies, and collagen-stimulating procedures. Each one works in a different way to improve skin firmness or support without surgery. Knowing how they differ can help you choose the best option for you.

If you’re considering treatment options, a personalised consultation can help you find the best approach for your skin and level of sagging. At Freia Medical, we tailor treatment plans to achieve natural-looking results guided by medical expertise.

A Note from Dr. Joanna Chan

I often use an analogy of silk fabric when discussing liquid threads with a patient. Silk threads can be spun and woven into thick ropes with high tensile strength that can support one’s body weight as is the case in aerial acrobatics. On the other hand, they are prized to be luxuriously soft and light as a scarf or drape. I hope this helps one see how one material can have different properties when crafted and designed differently to do so, so that they can have different applications and uses. 

Any medical aesthetic procedure involves careful customization based on individual anatomy and aesthetic goals, and the overall result of the procedure will also vary depending on individual factors such as skin laxity, overall health, and specific treatment goals. This is why doctors often recommend a combination of treatments. 

While liquid threads are a new and exciting treatment we can now offer, there is still a place for energy-based machines, botulinum toxins, and dermal fillers in my practice. There is no one-size-fits-all solution in aesthetic medicine, especially when dealing with the topic of ageing - a process that we embrace humbly and gracefully as humans.

At Freia Medical, our aim is to provide a safe, reliable, and optimized treatment for every skin concern. To find out more, schedule a consultation with our experienced doctors today.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Joanna Chan and Dr. Harold Ma.

FAQ

1. Is liquid PDO thread lift an effective treatment for sagging facial features?

A liquid PDO thread lift may help improve mild to moderate sagging by stimulating collagen and enhancing skin firmness over time.

2. How long do results from a liquid PDO thread lift last?

Results vary depending on individual skin condition, but collagen stimulation effects may last several months as the skin continues to regenerate.

3. What are the possible liquid PDO thread lift side effects?

Common side effects of the PDO thread lift include temporary swelling, bruising, and redness. These typically resolve within a few days.

4. Is there downtime after a liquid PDO thread lift?

Most patients experience minimal downtime, with mild swelling or bruising being the most common temporary effects.

5. Who is a suitable candidate for a liquid PDO thread lift?

Suitable candidates are individuals with mild to moderate sagging who prefer non-surgical sagging face treatment options and gradual improvements.