6 Things to Know About Plasma Fibroblasting Treatments | RealSelf News

Face & Neck/Skin

Melanie Rud Updated on Oct 18, 2023 5 min read

It often seems like there’s a hot new aesthetic treatment hitting the scene every month. There’s certainly no shortage of lasers and peels and microneedling devices and skin-tightening treatments out there, all promising to deliver smoother, firmer, more even skin in some way, shape, or form. So where does plasma fibroblasting—also known as plasma pen treatment—come into play? Here, experts explain what sets this technology apart from its counterparts and why it may be something to consider.

Here’s a surprising plot twist: While plasma pens are all the rage on Instagram, the technology itself is nothing new. “Plasma energy has long been used in surgery for cautery purposes, and the first studies surrounding its aesthetic functions were done back in 2007 and 2008,” says Dr. Amelia K. Hausauer, a board-certified dermatologist in Campbell, California. So why is it suddenly garnering attention? She attributes the increased interest to social media (photos of the procedure, with its telltale pinpoint dots on areas like the eyelids, are certainly eye-catching) as well as the advent of devices, such as the plasma pen, marketed to a wider range of providers, including aestheticians without a medical degree. Dr. Ava Shamban, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California, also credits the ‘new normal’ of the past year and a half, which has allowed people to stay at home throughout the recovery period. The downtime with this treatment can be relatively considerable, so when patients don’t have to go to an office and can just turn off their Zoom, they may be more apt to try it, she explains.

A post shared by Posh Aesthetics (@poshskinandbrows)

“Plasma is the fourth state of matter, an ionized gas,” explains Dr. Hausauer. “These devices work by removing electrons from atoms and creating a type of nitrogen gas that has an electric charge, or an ionized gas. When that ionized gas comes into contact with the skin, it creates heat energy that damages the skin in a controlled manner,” she explains. However, there’s an effect both on the surface of the skin and deeper into the dermis. “The electric charge from the gas targets the top layers of the skin, yielding a resurfacing type of effect. The deeper layers receive the heat, which triggers and revs up fibroblasts, cells that produce collagen and elastin,” explains Dr. Shamban. That fibroblast-stimulating response is what, in turn, results in tighter skin, reduced laxity, and fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

At the risk of gross oversimplification, most cosmetic devices work by creating a controlled type of wound to the skin, stimulating a healing response that leads to collagen regeneration. That’s certainly the case with lasers, though plasma fibroblasting is different from lasers in a few key ways, notes Dr. Samuel Lin, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Boston. First, many lasers work by targeting pigment in the skin, be that a red blood vessel, a brown sunspot, or black tattoo ink. However, “the plasma pen device is agnostic to any pigment in the skin,” he explains. Theoretically, this could make it a better option for people of color, he notes, though as with any type of device that uses heat, hyperpigmentation is always a potential side effect. Second, while plasma pens do act on the surface of the skin, they’re not ablative, like many conventional CO2 lasers, he adds. In other words, while there is some discomfort and downtime, you don’t have the same complete destruction of the epidermal layer.

“Plasma pen treatments get my vote,” says Dr. Shamban (who, it bears mentioning, is the only one of the three doctors we spoke with who uses the technology in her practice). “There’s a lot of power in these tiny pens that deliver potent, precise, and very long-lasting results,” she says. While Drs. Lin and Hausauer feel that several treatments are likely required, for best results, Dr. Shamban disagrees. “Rather than the need for a series of treatments, this is mostly a one-and-done situation, depending on the area being treated. However, we do recommend re-treating every two to three years,” she says.

But keep in mind that plasma pens aren’t the best option for those seeking rejuvenation of their entire face. “This technology is supereffective for brightening, tightening, and smoothing the skin, although the best results are usually around the eyes, including a lid tightening and lid lifting effect—even on the upper lid—as well as the elimination of crows’-feet,” Dr. Shamban explains. It’s also an effective way to address vertical lines around the lip, which are some of the hardest to smooth, she adds. Credit the small size of the device itself, which makes it ideal for these smaller, more targeted spots. Dr. Lin notes that they’re also a good choice for resurfacing acne scars.

Aside from the fact that many people can get away with just one treatment, it only takes 10 to 45 minutes, depending on the area being treated. It can be uncomfortable, but only a mild, topical numbing cream is required, says Dr. Hausauer. Costs vary based on your provider, geographic location, and treatment area but can range anywhere from $600 to $1,800, according to the doctors we spoke with.

Like almost any type of energy-based device, plasma pens are adjustable; the intensity of the energy output can be dialed up or down, and this subsequently translates to the downtime required, explains Dr. Hausauer. Still, Dr. Shamban cautions that you’ll ideally want to clear your calendar for two weeks. “It takes a full 10 days for pin-sized scabs to form and fall across the area, with enough healing to begin that you can apply makeup to cover up residual discoloration,” she says. It’s more so than the few days of redness associated with microneedling, though you won’t have any of the oozing that comes with a fractionated ablative laser.

Table of Contents

Learn more about

Love it? Share it.

More like this: Skin Rejuvenation