What is Plasma?
Plasma is one of the four fundamental states of matter, the others are solid, liquid, and gas. Unlike the other three states of matter, plasma does not naturally exist on earth under normal surface conditions and can only be artificially generated from neutral gases.
What is plasma skin regeneration?
Plasma skin regeneration is a non-laser treatment that uses a device to deliver energy in the form of plasma to rejuvenate skin by improving (among other things) facial lines and wrinkles (rhytides) and skin pigmentation associated with photoageing.
How does it work?
To understand how plasma skin regeneration works a basic understanding of skin structure is required. Briefly, the skin consists of 3 layers, the epidermis, dermis and subcutis. The epidermis contains pigment-producing cells called melanocytes, which are responsible for skin colouring. The dermis is made up of collagen and elastin fibres that provide skin with strength, toughness, elasticity and pliability.
As the body ages, the appearance and characteristics of the skin alter. The epidermis becomes thinner, so blemishes become more visible, and collagen in the dermis is gradually lost which contributes to the formation of facial lines, sagging skin and wrinkles.
Plasma skin regeneration technology uses energy delivered from plasma rather than light or radiofrequency, compared to other skin regeneration modalities (eg, radiothermoplasty). Plasma Pen works by delivering millisecond pulses of nitrogen-based plasma to the skin via a handpiece. Within the handpiece, an ultra-high-frequency (UHF) generator excites inert nitrogen gas, which is converted into activated ionised gas called plasma. This plasma-containing energy is directed through a quartz nozzle out of the tip of the handpiece and onto the skin. The energy delivered produces a heating action that works at the skin’s surface to remove old photodamaged epidermal cells, and below the skin surface or dermis to promote collagen growth.
Although all protocols improve fine lines, tone and texture, and skin pigmentations, it appears that skin/tissue tightening is more pronounced with high-energy treatments. The low-energy treatments marketed by the procedure produce results gradually over time and have very little if any, associated downtime. Most patients can have their first treatment at their first consultation and return to their daily activities directly afterwards.
