Plasma lifting pens harness the power of plasma, a fourth state matter (solid, liquid, gas, and plasma) to help reduce or eliminate certain skin conditions and concerns, such as wrinkles, fine lines, skin tags, and so forth.

Through the process of ionization, plasma lifting treatments are able to create an electric charge or arc. This arc is focused on a target on the surface of the skin, which causes a controlled burn; this dissipates heat throughout the area being targeted. This technique causes the possible elimination of fine lines, skin tags, pigmentation, and more. Moreover, the dissipation of heat throughout the skin being targeted causes the body to send fibroblasts to the area and lay down collagen and elastin fibers, which promotes plumping and tightening of the skin.

Procedures can take up to 50 minutes to complete and one of the exciting things about plasma lifting is that this is one of the non-surgical alternatives to upper eyelid surgeries. There are many states that outlaw this procedure, deeming it out of the aesthetician’s scope of practice. Always contact your cosmetology board and discuss any new procedure with your liability insurance company.

TREATMENT AND RESULTS

To prepare for the treatment, a numbing cream is applied for 30 minutes. During the service, a client may feel some heat, which can be uncomfortable, equivalent to sunburn. After the treatment, their skin will feel burned and tight, which will last a few hours. Aftercare instructions are also given. Results are immediate but, for best results, clients need to wait up to three weeks. Two to three sessions may be needed, depending on the depth of the wrinkle.

The results may be permanent. Although it does not stop the natural aging process, clients should still see lasting results for years, as they would with cosmetic surgery.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS

The skin will have multiple dots on the surface area and, as healing occurs, the skin will appear dry and flaky. In the first couple of days, redness and swelling will be present. Every individual’s results may vary and swelling can occur directly after treatment or for a week following.

As the skin starts to heal, itching may occur. Other side effects are not limited to, but may include, slight redness for a few weeks after the treatment, with a risk of scarring, infection, and hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.

As with most cosmetic procedures, those who are pregnant or nursing should avoid this treatment. Although some darker skin types are suitable for the soft surgery procedure, it is not advised for those with very dark skin. This is because there is a higher risk of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation following treatment, particularly if the carbon crust is disturbed by scratching, scrubbing, or picking.

Other contraindications may include:

• Fitzpatrick skin type VI
• skin prone to scarring and keloid scarring
• severe skin conditions, open wounds, severe acne, lupus, psoriasis, or vitiligo
• allergies or sensitivities to any of the products used
• a history of being treated with blood-thinning medications or gold therapy or use of Accutane in the last year
• pregnancy, breast-feeding, immune-deficiency, or any other autoimmune disorders
• plates or pins
• severe circulatory deficiencies, including ischemic tissue, thrombosis, or severe uncontrolled blood pressure
• severe cardiovascular conditions
• pacemaker
• current or recent hemorrhage
• malignancy and chemotherapy in the past three years

PLASMA SKIN TIGHTENING PRE-CARE

If clients are displaying signs of cold or flu, the treatment should be rescheduled. Contact lenses must be removed when performing treatment on the upper eyelids. Skin should not be inflamed in the area being treated prior to procedure. If the client has a sunburn or suntan, treatment should be postponed for up to eight weeks or until the tan or burn signs disappear. Clients must discontinue use of any alpha hydroxy acids or retinol skin care products for four weeks prior to treatment. Those with eyelash extensions receiving upper or lower eyelid treatment must have eyelashes removed prior to treatment and reapplied after eight weeks. Clients should discontinue use of any cleaners, creams, and serums containing acids such as salicylic, glycolic, and lactic four weeks prior. No Botox or fillers should be received three weeks prior and three weeks post-treatment. Clients should discontinue the use of Latisse one week prior to treatment if having the upper or lower eye lift.