Barbara Kowalczyk, FNP-BC
Board-certified nurse practitioner · Director of Medical Spa Services
Leads injectable treatment planning and has directed medical spa services at the Downers Grove practice since 2019, following an ICU nursing background.
Injectables · La Grange, IL
PDO Thread Lift near La Grange, IL
Updated September 2026 · Independent review
A PDO thread lift places dissolvable polydioxanone sutures under the skin to lift mildly sagging tissue and stimulate new collagen along the thread path. It produces a subtle repositioning immediately, continues improving for two to three months, and typically lasts twelve to eighteen months. Near La Grange, IL, the closest practice covered on this site is Skin Med Spa at 960 Warren Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515, roughly 15 minutes away, where injectables are performed by board-certified nurse practitioners.
Nearest practice
Skin Med Spa
960 Warren Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Mon–Tue & Thu–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–3pm · closed Wed & Sun
Nurse-practitioner injectors
~15 minutes from La Grange. No La Grange address exists.
How does PDO Thread Lift actually work?
Barbed or smooth threads made of polydioxanone — the same material as absorbable surgical suture — are introduced through a cannula or needle. Barbed threads grip tissue and reposition it; smooth threads act purely as a collagen stimulus. The polydioxanone dissolves over four to six months, but the collagen laid down along its path persists longer, which is why the peak result comes weeks after the appointment rather than on the day.
Who is a good candidate for PDO Thread Lift?
Adults in their thirties to fifties with mild to moderate laxity in the jawline, cheeks, or neck who want more lift than filler gives without surgery, and who accept a temporary result.
Who should skip it?
Anyone with significant skin excess who genuinely needs a surgical lift, anyone with an autoimmune or connective-tissue condition, anyone on anticoagulants without medical clearance, and anyone expecting a facelift-equivalent result.
Who should be performing it?
A physician, NP, or PA with documented thread-specific training and a meaningful case volume — this is a technique-dependent procedure with a real learning curve.
PDO Thread Lift near La Grange at a glance
| Treatment | PDO Thread Lift |
|---|---|
| Category | Injectables |
| Who performs it | Board-certified nurse practitioner |
| Sessions typically needed | One session; often repeated at twelve to eighteen months. |
| Downtime | Bruising, swelling, and tightness or dimpling for one to two weeks. Puckering at insertion points usually settles within days. |
| How long results last | Twelve to eighteen months typically. |
| How it is priced | Per thread, or per treatment area with thread count stated. |
| Typical market cost | Commonly $1,000–$2,500 per area depending on thread count and type. Ask for the count, not just an area price. |
| Nearest location | 960 Warren Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515 — ~15 min from La Grange |
| Financing | Cherry payment plans |
| Price published by the practice | No — request it in writing at consultation |
Cost figures are typical Chicago-area market ranges for context, not quotes from this practice.
Ask these before booking PDO Thread Lift
- How many threads, which type — barbed or smooth — and where exactly will they be placed?
- How many thread lifts have you personally performed?
- Am I actually a thread candidate, or would I get a better result from a surgical consultation?
- What happens if a thread becomes visible, palpable, or extrudes?
- How does this compare to filler or energy-based tightening for my degree of laxity?
Red flags specific to PDO Thread Lift
- Marketing it as equivalent to a surgical facelift
- Area pricing with no thread count
- No plan for thread extrusion or visible puckering
- Recommending threads for advanced laxity that clearly needs surgery
What patients say about PDO Thread Lift
Quoted verbatim from public Google, Yelp, and practice-website reviews — nothing here is written or paraphrased by us. 1 of the reviews below name PDO Thread Lift directly. Across its public profile the practice shows 4.9 stars from 298 reviews.
On Results
"This place is fantastic! Barb and Mike are wonderful and are incredibly good at making people look their best. They truly are amazing at their jobs! I got threads done and was so impressed with the results. It was such a huge improvement. I am 57 and the lift was amazing!"
On Atmosphere
★★★★★
"Enjoyed the event 23rd of April! Now I got to get my treatment. They are professional the spa is absolutely Beyoutiful and I'm over the moon on my experience & how my treatment came out. This spa is a class of it own. Barb & Mike and the Skin Med spa family are welcoming, absolutely professional & spa is impeccable. Will be looking forward to many more treatments with you all. As well as my whole family. Grateful, we came across each other! 5 stars across the board."
On Expertise
★★★★★
"Michael, as well as the rest of the staff are very knowledgeable and professional. The whole team is very nice! I will definitely be coming back. I would recommend this place to anyone!"
On Consultation
★★★★★
"Barbara was very thorough in explaining all types of procedures that I considered, what works best and cost. I would definitely recommend her."
On Results
★★★★★
"Barb is a magician! Absolutely love my results and looking to get more services done here. Already referred my aunt!"
On Results
★★★★★
"Very talented group, my results are much better now than when using other companies. Professional work and great products. I highly recommend this cheerful and talented group."
Who would treat you, and what to verify
Michael Fressola, ACNP-BC
Board-certified acute care nurse practitioner
A Rush University graduate with roughly two decades in cosmetic treatments and surgery, previously a partner at a surgery center and advanced cosmetic practice.
Noelle Trost, LE
Certified laser technician & licensed esthetician
Performs laser resurfacing, hair removal, IPL, and medical-grade facial protocols.
Illinois licenses are public. Look up any provider through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation before your first treatment.
Frequently asked questions — PDO Thread Lift near La Grange
Before you book
Get an itemized price in writing, confirm which licensed provider is treating you, and ask to see the product or device. This site takes no bookings — the practice handles all of that at (630) 541-8413.