The Plasma Pen: What Exactly Are All Those Dots About?
I had heard all about the Plasma Pen or Plasma Fibroblast anti-aging treatment for years and after seeing some incredible results, I decided to try it for myself.
A year ago, I finally took the plunge for myself - read on to see if I think it was worth the investment.
Let’s start at the beginning…
What is the Plasma Pen?
The Plasma Pen is a handheld pen-like device that converts electrical energy into electrostatic energy which is transmitted to the applicator tip (probe) by impulse. This creates an electrical discharge between two electrodes separated by an insulating dielectric barrier. This is called fibroblast therapy.
The plasma pen delivers electrostatic energy to the surface of the skin. The device causes a small round dot-like burn to the surface of the skin as it delivers energy that tightens and resurfaces the skin.
Some concerns the Plasma Pen can address are fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, skin tags, acne scars, plump lines, and reducing the appearance of sunspots. It is a non-invasive procedure that works by channeling electric energies releasing plasma gas. When the plasma pen is directed to the skin, the plasma gas finds its way to the upper level of the skin and causes micro-trauma on the cellular level. These micro-traumas trigger the skin cell to regenerate and produce collagen and elastin.
What Can The Plasma Pen Do For Your Skin?
Rejuvenate Skin
Improve tone
Improve texture
Increase elasticity
Ramp up the production of essential biological connective tissue
Skin tightening
Reduction in wrinkles
Reduction in fine lines
Skin Lifting
Lifts drooping eyelids and sagging jowls
Smooths the under-eye area
Reduction in stretch marks
Tighten loose belly and arm skin
Improve scar tissue
Add volume to lips
Where Can The Plasma Pen be Used?
Nasolabial folds
Jawline
Upper eyelids
Lower eyelids
Forehead
Corner of the mouth
Under-eye
Neck
Stomach
Knees
What Can You Expect?
Your practitioner will numb the area being treated and then you just wait. I personally didn’t have much pain when I tried this treatment. I did a few areas of my face, and the only place I felt pain was on my neck, however, I feel this was due to the fact that the numbing had started to wear off by the time we reached this area, in addition to the neck being a sensitive area.
Once I was numb, my practitioner got to work meticulously moving across my skin, leaving behind a perfect pattern of tiny red dots in its wake. I listened to a podcast the whole time because being silent and still is imperative. The only thing I will say wasn’t great was the burning skin smell. GAG!
I am very sensitive to smells, but if you have ever had laser hair removal you understand the smell I’m talking about. Tanning salons tend to have a similar aroma as well, but this is a lot more intense! Plus, if your face is being treated it’s much closer to your nose and can be slightly overwhelming at times.
Once I was finished, I was left with dots all over the treated area. I was instructed to dry heal which meant that I didn’t have to do anything outside of washing my face until the little scabs disappeared. I was told to expect the scabs for 7-10 days on average. I use a liquid collagen supplement which I continued throughout the healing process, and I think it helped out tremendously as you would never have known I had done this treatment 5 days after.
Some Patients Experience These Symptoms Following Treatment:
Mild to moderate pain
Swelling and bruising
Scabbing, drying, and crusting
Skin discoloration
Scarring
Skin sensitivity and tightness
Itching
Skin crusting and peeling
Is The Plasma Pen Safe?
The Plasma Pen is like any other beauty treatment, there are risks to consider. Some patients experience pigmentation issues such as light or dark spots and scarring from the burns created by the plasma pen. Unfortunately, some people have been left with worse damage than they originally started with, which is why as always it is important to find a practitioner you trust and get multiple consultations to help determine if you are the right candidate for this procedure. It is also important to make sure the clinician you go to uses an FDA-approved plasma pen for your treatment.
Important Things to Keep in Mind:
You cannot exercise for 24 hours after treatment
You cannot wear makeup until the scrabbing has fallen off
You cannot pick at the scabs on your face
Sleeping on your back for the first few days following treatment is recommended
Avoid direct exposure to the sun for 3 months following treatment
Always wear an SPF 30 or above when leaving the house
While wearing a mask helps hide the scabs during the healing process, it can also irritate the skin further
Multiple treatments could be necessary to achieve optimal results
Final Thoughts
I did a few different areas so; I’ll report my thoughts for each area a year following treatment.
Nasolabial Folds: This is the first area I had done, and I would say that I was happy with the results. I haven’t done any filler in this area, and I do not feel like I have any lines when my face is at rest and everyone, regardless of age has a line there when they smile. I noticed lines starting there and that was why I did this area, and I will say that a year post-treatment I am very happy with the results and would do it again.
Neck: I think my neck looks incredible! I hate when you see someone whose face looks incredible and then their neck shows their age. I am determined to never be that person! I felt that I had some lines starting on my neck. A year post-treatment I can say that there are no lines on my neck!
Jawline: I did my jawline to help lift the beginning signs of jowling. I wouldn’t do this one over again. I feel like this area got little to no lifting. I was hoping to lift and tighten this area and I just don’t think it did the trick. It could be because I was having joint issues with my jaw and it was recessing, but I’m not sure. I would save my money for this area and wouldn’t do this again.
Under Eyes: This was my favorite area I did! I have had little, tiny fine lines under my eyes since I was a teenager. It’s one of the hazards of being a smiley person and living in Florida and constantly squinting in the sun. Now, a year after treatment, no more lines unless I’m smiling! And everyone gets little wrinkles under their eyes when they smile, just look at a child!
I found the Plasma Pen to be a very beneficial treatment for my skin in general. I get Botox half as much now and I attribute it to this treatment. I would definitely recommend this treatment with an experienced and knowledgeable practitioner and an FDA-approved device.
Peace, Love, and Tighter Skin
XX,
Jenna