A PDO thread lift in Carlsbad costs $350–$1,500 for smoothing threads and $3,500 for a face lift at Glow Theory, and new clients save $100. An instant, natural-looking lift without surgery.
Defy aging
The thread lift is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment that improves signs of aging around the upper and mid-face to give patients a visible lift without the surgery, scars or long recovery of a facelift. Our aesthetic professionals are proud to use absorbable polydioxanone (PDO) threads, FDA-cleared sutures made specifically to enhance our patients’ overall appearance. At Glow Theory Aesthetic & Dermatology Studio, we believe in using the power of science to enhance our patients’ natural beauty and boost their overall confidence. Our warm aesthetics experts are proud to offer PDO thread lifts and other age-defying treatments to patients in Carlsbad, La Costa, Rancho Santa Fe, and the neighboring communities of Encinitas and Solana Beach, California.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Sykes, MD, Medical Director · Updated October 12, 2026
Voted best med spa in North County San Diego
Youthful skin restored
At Glow Theory, we are the leading experts in PDO Thread Lift in Carlsbad, offering an innovative and minimally invasive solution for facial rejuvenation. Our advanced Medspa specializes in expertly lifting and tightening sagging skin, visibly reducing wrinkles and fine lines, and beautifully restoring lost volume and contour to your face. Experience the transformative power of a PDO Thread Lift with our commitment to delivering natural, youthful-looking results.
New client special
$100 off
Your first PDO thread lift at Glow Theory.
PDO Thread Lift
Schedule a consultation
Financing available on treatments of $2,000 or more
Where threads help
Treatment takes 60 to 90 minutes. Expect some swelling, bruising and tenderness for a few days afterwards. PDO threads can lift and tighten:
Real Glow Theory patients, photographed at our Carlsbad studio.
Individual results vary. Photos shared with patient consent.
View photo galleryLifting and tightening with glow
Your providers
Founder & CEO
Insiyah has spent more than 15 years in medical dermatology and aesthetics. She completed a Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Fellowship at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, affiliated with the Harvard Dermatology Residency, and founded Glow Theory to bring that clinical standard to aesthetic care in Carlsbad.
Medical director
Dr. Sykes is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with more than 30 years of practice. He is the former Director of Facial Plastic Surgery at UC Davis and a Past President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and has trained many practitioners in facial anatomy and injection technique.
Answered by Insiyah Darugar, MSN, FNP, founder and CEO
PDO threads are fine, dissolvable threads made of polydioxanone that are placed under the skin with a fine needle or cannula. Smooth threads mainly boost collagen and improve skin quality. Lifting threads, such as PDO Max®, have small cones or barbs that grip the tissue so it can be lifted into a more youthful position. Both kinds stimulate new collagen as they dissolve.
Results from a PDO thread lift typically last 6 to 9 months, depending on the type of thread used and your individual metabolism. Your provider can give you an estimate for your treatment.
The procedure usually takes 60 to 90 minutes. Once the threads are placed, the cannula is removed and the threads stay under the skin. Over the following months they dissolve naturally while new collagen forms around them.
At Glow Theory, smoothing threads cost $350–$1,500, a brow lift $1,200–$1,800, the neck $2,500 and a face lift $3,500. VIP members pay less, and new clients save $100 on their first thread lift.
PDO threads dissolve on their own over about six months, and there is no safe way to speed this up at home. Don’t massage, pull on or try to remove a thread yourself. If a thread feels uncomfortable or you can see or feel it under the skin, contact us; your provider can check it and, if needed, adjust or remove it.
Yes, you can smile after PDO threads! While you might experience some mild tightness or tenderness initially, and we advise against overly exaggerated facial movements for the first few days to allow the threads to settle, normal facial expressions like smiling are generally fine. Your provider will give you specific aftercare instructions to ensure optimal results.
PDO threads are FDA-cleared and carry fewer risks than facelift surgery. Polydioxanone has been used safely for decades in surgical sutures. Common side effects are swelling, bruising and tenderness for a few days. Less often, patients notice dimpling, slight asymmetry or a thread they can feel; these usually settle or can be corrected. Infection is rare. Choosing an experienced medical provider keeps the risks low.
The number of PDO threads varies by individual and treatment area. It depends on your skin laxity, desired results, and the type of threads used (e.g., barbed for lifting, smooth for collagen). Your provider will customize a plan during your consultation.
