Facelift vs PDO Threads for Jowls: Which Treatment Works Better?

Jowls are one of the most common signs of facial aging. As skin loses elasticity and deeper tissues descend, the jawline becomes blurred and sagging appears along the lower face. To address this, many patients compare facelift surgery and PDO thread lifts.

While both treatments aim to improve jowls, they work in very different ways and deliver very different levels of correction. Understanding the difference between facelift vs PDO threads for jowls is essential before choosing a treatment.

Why Do Jowls Form?

Jowls are caused by a combination of:

• Skin laxity
• Descent of facial fat pads
• Weakening of deeper support structures
• Gravity and age-related collagen loss

Because jowls involve structural sagging, not just surface looseness, treatment choice matters greatly.

What Is a Facelift for Jowls?

A facelift corrects jowls by lifting and repositioning deeper facial tissues and removing excess skin.

It improves:

• Sagging skin along the jawline
• Moderate to severe jowls
• Blurred jawline definition
• Often combined with a neck lift for complete lower-face rejuvenation

Facelift surgery treats the root cause of jowls rather than masking them.

Who is a good candidate for a facelift?

• Moderate to severe jowling
• Loose skin that no longer responds to non-surgical treatments
• Jawline sagging caused by tissue descent
• Patients seeking long-term correction

What Are PDO Threads for Jowls?

PDO threads are dissolvable threads placed under the skin to create a temporary lifting effect and stimulate collagen production.

They can:

• Provide mild lifting of early jowls
• Improve jawline appearance temporarily
• Offer short downtime

However:

• PDO threads do not remove excess skin
• They do not reposition deeper facial structures
• Results are limited and temporary

Who is a good candidate for PDO threads?

• Very mild jowling
• Good skin elasticity
• Early signs of aging
• Patients not ready for surgery

Facelift vs PDO Threads for Jowls: Key Differences

Depth of correction

• Facelift: Lifts deep tissues and removes excess skin
• PDO threads: Surface-level lifting only

Effectiveness for jowls

• Facelift: Highly effective
• PDO threads: Limited, only for early jowls

Longevity

• Facelift: Typically lasts 10–15 years
• PDO threads: Usually last 6–12 months

Skin laxity correction

• Facelift: Corrects loose skin
• PDO threads: Cannot fix excess skin

Downtime

• Facelift: Requires recovery
• PDO threads: Minimal downtime

Which Is Better for Jowls?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but severity of jowls is the deciding factor.

A facelift is better if:

• Jowls are moderate to severe
• Skin hangs or folds along the jawline
• Jawline definition is significantly lost
• Long-lasting results are desired

PDO threads may be suitable if:

• Jowls are very mild
• Skin is still firm
• The goal is short-term improvement
• Surgery is not currently an option

PDO threads cannot replace a facelift once skin laxity becomes significant. In many cases, repeated thread lifts delay—but do not avoid—surgical correction.

Facelift vs PDO Threads for Jowls in Korea

Korea is known for both:

• Advanced facelift techniques focused on natural jawline restoration
• High-volume PDO thread lift treatments for early aging

Korean clinics typically assess whether jowls are caused by skin laxity, fat descent, or structural aging before recommending surgery or threads, leading to more appropriate treatment planning.

Final Thoughts

When comparing facelift vs PDO threads for jowls, the key difference is structural correction versus temporary lift. PDO threads can provide short-term improvement for early jowls, but a facelift remains the most effective and durable solution for true jowl sagging.

A proper consultation is essential to determine whether non-surgical treatment is still appropriate—or if surgical lifting is the better long-term choice.