PDO Thread Lift

A PDO thread lift uses polydioxanone sutures, a biodegradable thread with a long track record in medical suturing, to create a gentle lift beneath the skin. Once placed, the threads provide immediate mechanical support while triggering the body’s natural wound-healing response, which builds new collagen around the thread over the following weeks. As the collagen forms, skin firms and tightens; the thread itself dissolves naturally, leaving the rejuvenated tissue behind.

Express Med Spa uses three thread types depending on the goal:

• Barbed threads: small hooks along the thread grip tissue for jawline and cheek lifting.
• Smooth threads: placed in a mesh pattern to improve fine lines and skin texture.
• Screw or twisted threads: wound threads that add targeted soft tissue support and volume.

PDO threads are placed based on where skin has started to lose its support. The most common treatment areas include:

• Jawline and jowls: sharpen the jawline and reduce sagging along the lower face.
• Neck: smooth "tech neck" lines and lift loose soft tissue under the chin.
• Brow / fox eye: elevate the outer corner of the brow for a lifted, non-surgical brow refresh.
• Cheeks and midface: support volume and soften the appearance of nasolabial folds.

Treatment areas are selected during a consultation based on skin laxity, facial anatomy, and individual goals, and can be combined in a single visit.

All PDO thread lifts at Express Med Spa are performed under the supervision of Stefanie Drozd, APRN, founder of Express Med Spa. After discussing your goals and reviewing your medical history, the treatment area is cleansed and numbed. Threads are then placed beneath the skin along a mapped pattern using a fine needle or cannula, with no incisions required. A typical session runs about 30 to 60 minutes depending on how many areas and threads are involved, and most patients return to normal activity the same day.

Many patients notice a subtle lift right after treatment, with results continuing to improve over the following 3 to 6 weeks as new collagen builds around the threads. The polydioxanone threads themselves dissolve within about 4 to 6 months, but the collagen they stimulate typically supports firmer, lifted skin for 12 to 18 months. Many patients schedule a touch-up on that same 12 to 18 month cycle to maintain results.

Express Med Spa offers PDO threads alongside several other non-surgical options, and many patients combine treatments for a more complete result.

• PDO threads vs. dermal fillers: threads lift and reposition sagging tissue, while fillers like Revanesse restore lost volume. The two are often used together.
• PDO threads vs. Botox and Xeomin: threads address sagging skin, while neurotoxins relax the muscle movement that causes wrinkles. They target different concerns and complement each other.
• PDO threads vs. Ultherapy: Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen gradually, while PDO threads provide an immediate mechanical lift. The two can be combined, and threads pair well with radiofrequency skin tightening for enhanced results.
• PDO threads vs. a surgical facelift: threads are minimally invasive with far less downtime, though results are temporary compared to surgery.

PDO thread lift is offered by our licensed providers at every Express Med Spa location. On Chicago’s South Side, book at our Mount Greenwood clinic. West-suburban patients can visit our La Grange location, and south-suburban patients can book at Shorewood or Frankfort.