Tornado Thread Guide: How Twin-Strand PDO Threads Work
A Tornado thread is not a single suture with barbs. It is two strands of PDO thread wound together onto one needle. The AuroThread range carries two versions: TORNADO, described in the catalogue as twin pairs of the mono thread, and TORNADO SCREW, where both strands are spiralled so the pair grips more tightly and stimulates roughly twice the collagen of a conventional screw thread. Twin-strand construction increases the number of tissue contact points per pass — which is why these threads are used where a single mono thread would give insufficient stimulation.
On this page:
- What makes a Tornado thread different
- TORNADO vs TORNADO SCREW
- Full specifications
- Reading the length table
- Where Tornado threads are indicated
- Material and absorption
- Practical notes for clinics and distributors
- Frequently asked questions
- AuroThread Product Range
What makes a Tornado thread different
A standard mono thread is one smooth strand. A screw thread is one strand spiralled around itself. A Tornado thread takes the screw concept one step further: two strands are wound together so they advance as a pair.
That changes three things:
- Contact surface per pass. Two strands present roughly twice the surface area to surrounding tissue than a single strand of similar gauge.
- Mechanical hold. The paired spiral creates interlocking points along the thread's length rather than a single continuous helix.
- Directional anchoring. TORNADO is described in the catalogue as designed with a locking force in the direction of the vector, which makes it suited to lift vectors that must resist tissue recoil.
For the single-strand spiral it is built from, see PDO Screw Threads: Uses and Technique.
TORNADO vs TORNADO SCREW
Both are twin-strand PDO threads on a sharp needle with USP6-0 suture thickness. They differ in strand geometry and in the length range offered.
| TORNADO | TORNADO SCREW | |
|---|---|---|
| Strand construction | Twin pairs of the mono thread | Two strands of screw-shaped suture |
| Catalogue description | Twin pairs of the mono thread that accelerate stronger stimulation into the SMAS layer, creating more collagen | Holds skin more tightly and stimulates collagen twice as much as a normal screw type |
| Stated advantages | Stronger SMAS stimulation; more collagen formation | Easy to operate; more powerful |
| Needle type | Sharp Needle | Sharp Needle |
| Suture thickness | USP6-0 | USP6-0 |
The double-screw variant has its own reference page: Double Screw Threads Guide.
Full specifications
Format below is needle length → suture length, taken from the AuroThread PDO catalogue.
TORNADO
| Needle size | Needle → suture length |
|---|---|
| 26G | 38 mm → 60 mm |
| 26G | 60 mm → 100 mm |
| 26G | 90 mm → 200 mm |
| 27G | 25 mm → 60 mm |
| 27G | 38 mm → 120 mm |
| 27G | 50 mm → 140 mm |
| 27G | 60 mm → 200 mm |
| 27G | 90 mm → 220 mm |
TORNADO SCREW
| Needle size | Needle → suture length |
|---|---|
| 26G | 38 mm → 120 mm |
| 26G | 60 mm → 160 mm |
| 26G | 90 mm → 220 mm |
| 27G | 38 mm → 120 mm |
| 27G | 50 mm → 140 mm |
| 27G | 60 mm → 160 mm |
| 27G | 90 mm → 220 mm |
All Tornado and Tornado Screw sizes are listed in the PDO thread collection.
Reading the length table
The relationship between needle length and suture length tells you how the thread is loaded. A 27G Tornado on a 25 mm needle carries 60 mm of suture — the thread is longer than the needle because it is wound. At the other end of the range, a 90 mm needle carries 220 mm of suture on both the TORNADO and TORNADO SCREW.
Three practical implications:
Longer needles reach deeper planes. The 90 mm variants are designed for vectors that must traverse a long distance in one pass — the jawline to temple, or body indications. Shorter needles (25–38 mm) suit localised placement.
Suture length determines lift capacity, not needle length. A 38 mm needle carrying 120 mm of TORNADO SCREW places substantially more thread than the same needle carrying 60 mm of TORNADO. Match the suture length to the volume of stimulation the area needs.
27G is the workhorse gauge in this family. It appears across the widest length range in both models. 26G is offered in fewer lengths and is the heavier option of the two.
How barbed cogs compare on the same needle lengths is set out in COG Thread Dimensions Explained.
Where Tornado threads are indicated
The AuroThread catalogue lists the following application areas: face wrinkle, nasolabial folds, smoker lines and lip contour.
These are areas of high mobility and relatively thin tissue, where a single smooth mono thread typically provides insufficient collagen stimulation and a barbed cog would be more fixation than the plane requires. The twin-strand screw construction sits between those two: more stimulation than a mono, without the anchoring geometry of a cog.
The basic thread in this family is the mono thread used for first-line collagen stimulation.
Material and absorption
TORNADO and TORNADO SCREW appear in the catalogue's "PDO PCL PLLA THREAD" section, which covers all three absorbable materials. Absorption is material-dependent:
| Material | Absorption period |
|---|---|
| PDO (Polydioxanone) | 3–6 months |
| PCL (Polycaprolactone) | More than 2 years |
| PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid) | 2 years or more |
PDO is the standard choice for collagen-stimulation threads where the mechanical effect is expected to hand over to new collagen within a treatment cycle.
Material-by-material absorption and collagen response is compared in PDO vs PCL: What Is the Difference.
Practical notes for clinics and distributors
- Confirm the model, not just the word. Tornado and Tornado Screw are two distinct products with different strand geometry and different length ranges. Ordering "tornado thread" without specifying which will not produce a consistent result.
- Compare suture length, not needle length. Two suppliers may both list "27G Tornado" while supplying different suture lengths, which changes both cost per treatment and collagen stimulation volume.
- Check the label. AuroThread PDO sutures are sterilised by E.O. gas, marked single use only, and should be stored below 30 °C. Auro Thread is manufactured for Auro Technology Limited (origin: China), with CE and ISO 13485 marking on the packaging.
AuroThread supplies Tornado and Tornado Screw threads in PDO, PCL and PLLA, with private-label and OEM options. Catalogue specifications, samples and bulk pricing are available through Contact Us.
A volume-restoring alternative for deeper folds is covered in the Mesh Thread Guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many strands does a Tornado thread have?
Two. TORNADO is described in the AuroThread catalogue as twin pairs of the mono thread. TORNADO SCREW consists of two strands of screw-shaped suture wound together. This differs from a standard mono (one smooth strand) and a standard screw (one spiralled strand).
What is the difference between Tornado and Tornado Screw?
Both are twin-strand PDO threads on a sharp needle with USP6-0 thickness. TORNADO is built from paired mono strands and is described as accelerating stimulation into the SMAS layer. TORNADO SCREW uses two screw-shaped strands and is described as holding skin more tightly and stimulating collagen twice as much as a normal screw type. TORNADO SCREW is also offered across a wider 27G length range.
Which gauge should I choose, 26G or 27G?
27G appears across the widest range of lengths in both Tornado models and is the more common choice. 26G is the heavier gauge and is available in fewer lengths. Selection depends on the plane depth and the amount of suture you need to place in a single pass.
Do Tornado threads come in PCL or PLLA as well as PDO?
The catalogue specification tables cover PDO, PCL and PLLA. Absorption differs substantially by material — PDO absorbs in 3–6 months, PCL lasts more than two years, PLLA two years or more. Confirm the material when ordering, as duration expectations differ.
Are Tornado threads suitable for body treatments?
The catalogue lists facial indications for the Tornado range: face wrinkle, nasolabial folds, smoker lines and lip contour. For body vectors, the AuroThread range includes longer-suture products such as the Double Needle + COG4D, which carries a 400 mm suture length.
AuroThread Product Range
AuroThread manufactures lifting threads in all three absorbable materials, factory-direct, with OEM and private-label options for clinics and distributors.
- PDO Tornado & Tornado Screw — Twin-strand screw constructions on 26G and 27G needles
- PLLA Lifting Threads — Longest effect window of the three absorbable materials
- PCL Lifting Threads — Sustained collagen stimulation with high elasticity
- Full PDO / PLLA / PCL Range — All three materials across every design family
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Educational and product-information content only — not medical advice. Absorbable threads are medical devices; product selection, placement technique and indications are the responsibility of a licensed practitioner. © 2026 Auro Technology Limited.