Key takeaways
- RF tightening is gradual, no-downtime and best for mild laxity and crepey skin; threads give an immediate, visible lift for moderate sagging.
- RF is a series (4–6 sessions); threads are a single procedure with 2–7 days of downtime.
- Many clients do both: threads for lift, RF to maintain the collagen the threads stimulate.
- Neither replaces a surgical facelift for severe laxity, and we will say so.
Two different tools for the same complaint
“My jawline is softening,” “my cheeks are dropping,” “my neck looks crepey.” Both radio frequency (RF) skin tightening and a PDO thread lift address sagging without surgery, but they do it in different ways and suit different people. RF heats the deep dermis to contract existing collagen and stimulate new collagen over months. Threads physically reposition tissue with dissolvable sutures and stimulate collagen along their path as they dissolve.
Side-by-side comparison
| RF skin tightening | PDO thread lift | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Controlled heat contracts and rebuilds collagen | Barbed dissolvable sutures lift tissue; collagen forms around them |
| Best for | Mild laxity, crepey texture, early jowls, prevention | Moderate sagging of cheeks, jowls, brows, neck |
| Result timing | Slight tightening immediately; best at 3 months | Visible lift immediately; improves over 8 weeks |
| Sessions | 4–6, 2–4 weeks apart, then maintenance | 1 session; touch-up at 6–18 months |
| Downtime | None: mild redness for an hour | 2–7 days of swelling, tenderness, possible bruising |
| Discomfort | Warm massage; very comfortable | Local anaesthetic; pressure and pulling during placement |
| Duration | 6–12 months with maintenance | 12–18 months |
| Cost | From $100 per session | Priced per thread count and area; quoted at consultation |
Who suits RF skin tightening
- You are in your 30s to early 50s with early laxity: softening jawline, slight crepiness on the neck or under the eyes.
- You want zero downtime and a treatment you can have on a lunch break.
- You prefer gradual, natural change over a noticeable “event.”
- You want to tighten body areas too, abdomen after pregnancy, upper arms, knees, where threads are rarely used.
- You are maintaining results from threads, Sculptra or a previous procedure.
RF is a series because collagen builds slowly; expect the best result about three months after your last session, then a maintenance visit every few months.
Who suits a PDO thread lift
- You have moderate sagging: jowls that RF alone will not lift, drooping cheeks, a heavy brow, or loose neck skin.
- You want a visible change quickly and can accept a week of swelling and tenderness.
- You are not ready for, or do not want, a surgical facelift.
- You still have reasonable skin quality; threads reposition tissue but cannot fix very thin, sun-damaged skin on their own.
Threads come in smooth (collagen-stimulating) and barbed (lifting) types; a typical lift uses 2–6 barbed threads per side placed under local anaesthetic in 45–90 minutes.
Why many clients do both
The combination is common because the two treatments compensate for each other’s limits. Threads deliver the lift RF cannot; RF, started 4–6 weeks after threads, builds and maintains the collagen the threads stimulate and improves skin quality on top of the repositioned tissue. Add Sculptra if volume loss is part of the picture, and neuromodulators for the platysmal bands that pull the jawline down. A consultation is where we work out the order and spacing.
If your sagging is severe enough that lifting the skin with your fingers moves it several centimetres, a surgeon is the honest referral, and we make it.
Risks and what to ask
- RF: rare superficial burns with poorly calibrated devices; transient redness is normal. Ask what device is used and who operates it.
- Threads: bruising, swelling, temporary dimpling or asymmetry, and rarely a visible or palpable thread that needs adjustment. Ask how many procedures the injector has performed and to see healed results.
- Both are contraindicated in pregnancy, active skin infection and with certain autoimmune conditions; metal implants and pacemakers matter for RF.
The right answer is individual. Request a free consultation, and we will assess your laxity honestly and map the option, or combination, that fits your face, downtime and budget.
Your questions, answered
Straight answers from the Oxyderm clinical team on the questions this article raises. Browse all 89 answers or ask us directly.
Which is better for jowls, RF or threads?
For early, mild jowls RF tightening is usually enough. For moderate jowls a PDO thread lift gives a visible lift that RF alone cannot, often followed by RF to maintain it.
How long does a PDO thread lift last?
Typically 12–18 months. The threads dissolve over 6–9 months, but the collagen they stimulate keeps supporting the tissue after that.
How long does RF skin tightening last?
Results build over three months and last 6–12 months with a maintenance session every few months.
Does a thread lift hurt?
Local anaesthetic makes placement comfortable; you feel pressure and pulling rather than pain. Expect tenderness and swelling for a few days afterwards.
Is there downtime with RF tightening?
No. Skin may be pink and warm for an hour; you can return to work immediately.
Can I have threads and RF together?
Yes: threads first for lift, then RF starting 4–6 weeks later to build collagen and maintain the result. Many clients also add Sculptra for volume.
Am I too far gone for non-surgical options?
If the skin moves several centimetres when lifted with your fingers, a surgical facelift will give a better result and we will tell you so at your consultation.
