What if there were one treatment that could address a whole range of aesthetic concerns caused by aging? And what if this treatment was able to actually stimulate your body to produce the same youthful proteins it did when you were young: the proteins that keep your skin smooth, bright, and youthful? This treatment is possible today with the Plasma Pen, offered by MacMed Spa in Milford, MA.
What Is Plasma?
We’re all familiar with the three stages of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Plasma is sometimes called the fourth stage, but in reality, it is simply a type of gas. Yet it’s a very unusual type of gas. It can do things that ordinary gases cannot. Plasma can, for instance, conduct electricity, create a magnetic field, and facilitate electrostatic interactions. You might be familiar with plasma as a component of plasma TVs, and plasma has been around for more than 100 years. Only today, in this treatment, has its power been harnessed to effectively rejuvenate the skin.
What Is the Plasma Pen?
This innovative treatment device takes electrical energy and converts it into nitrogen plasma. This happens as voltage moves between two electrodes separated by a special barrier. As the electrical charge moves through the barrier, it begins to collect on the barrier’s surface. This causes a tiny arc of plasma to release just above the skin. The gas used to create this plasma comes from the air around us! The device’s special electrical charge and the barrier between the electrodes cause oxygen and nitrogen in our own atmosphere to convert to nitrogen plasma. The device never touches your skin. Instead, it does all its work about 1mm above the actual surface of your skin.
What Does the Pen Do?
This patented pen creates nitrogen plasma energy. When the pen is applied, it quickly transfers that energy to the epidermal, or outer layer, of your skin. This energy passes through that layer and begins heating up the deeper dermal structure underneath. As it does, it disrupts special cells called fibroblasts, causing them to register a micro-injury and initiate powerful natural repair processes that rebuild and rejuvenate your skin from the inside out.
Understanding Aging Skin
Why We Need Skin Tightening
In our youth, our skin is normally taut, firm, smooth, and hydrated. Over time, the structure of the skin weakens and the skin becomes less flexible. As that happens, it begins to sag and develops lines and wrinkles. This happens because the layer just beneath our outer epidermis, the dermal layer, begins to thin. This thinning happens because the molecules of our skin have stopped regenerating at the rate they did when we were younger. This thinning that happens to the inner, foundational layer of our skin has an effect on the outer layer, which begins to slide and de-form over the layer below it.
Fixing Aging With Fibroblasts
What our aging skin desperately needs is collagen: a protein that keeps the skin firm and strong. This protein must be made in the cells, and specifically in certain cells called fibroblasts. In fact, these fibroblasts are the only type of cell capable of making the key Type III collagen we need for strong facial skin. When Type III collagen is abundant, our skin’s connective tissues are strong and dense. This minimizes any wrinkles or lines, improves hydration, and enhances elasticity. The problem comes when fibroblasts stop producing the collagen. We don’t know precisely why they stop doing their job as we age, but it is a part of the natural aging process. What we do know is how to jump-start production: with the Plasma Pen. Even older fibroblasts that are no longer producing Type III collagen as they should can start working again if they are re-activated. This happens whenever these cells experience inflammation or sense a wound. This plasma treatment works specifically by tricking the fibroblasts into thinking they have sustained an injury so they will ramp up the production of collagen. The results are natural tightening and rejuvenation.
Problems the Pen Can Address
Because this plasma treatment is jump-starting your body’s own natural healing process, it’s capable of treating nearly any problem area of aging that bothers you. It can be used on:
- Jowls
- Stretch marks
- Tear troughs
- Upper or lower eyelids
- Nasolabial folds
- Neckline
- Crow’s feet
- Earlobes
- Loose skin
- Jawline
- Forehead lines
In fact, this treatment can even
be used on multiple areas during one treatment session. It can be used on its own or combined with other treatments to enhance their results.
The Plasma Process
This treatment isn’t invasive or surgical. It works by signaling to your body to repair your skin naturally using processes your body already knows how to deploy. This process takes a little time, but when you see the results, you’ll be amazing at just how naturally you will seem to have “de-aged.”
The First Week
During the first week, your outer layer of skin will form its own protective, natural biological barrier after treatment. As this falls away over the course of the week, underneath you’ll see newly formed, healthy, stronger skin.
The Next 11 Weeks
Over the next few weeks, you’ll be more and more amazed at the results you see. New epithelial tissue will continue to form in a dermal remodeling process that builds new collagen, elastin, and strong fibers to hold them together. Your skin will also naturally become plumper and more lifted.
The Next Few Years
This treatment doesn’t quickly disintegrate or wear off. Over the course of the next several years, your newly renovated skin will continue to form new blood vessels, release new growth factors, and fight aging. Effectively, this treatment dramatically slows the aging process and makes your skin respond as if it were young again. Results can last as long as three years if you care for your skin properly.
FAQ About Plasma Treatment
Is This a Safe Treatment?
The Plasma Pen is a very safe treatment because the technology behind it has multiple fail-safes built in. For one thing, the device never actually touches your skin. It always stays 1mm away, and if the device senses your skin too near or too far from the plasma, it simply shuts off.
Is This Treatment for Me?
Most people who are interested in a non-invasive way to rejuvenate their skin are good candidates to consider this plasma treatment. If you’re a healthy adult with realistic expectations, come talk to one of our certified estheticians to learn more about whether this is the right treatment for your needs and goals. There are only a few things that would make this an inappropriate treatment for you:
You’re On Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants, otherwise known as blood-thinning medications, deliberately interfere with the blood clotting process. This plasma treatment needs that process to work its magic. If you’re taking anticoagulants, you won’t get the results you’re looking for and may experience unwanted issues.
You Have a Fitzpatrick Skin Type Greater Than III
Only skin types I, II, and III can be safely treated with this plasma device. Darker skin types are at risk for hypopigmentation through the use of plasma. If you’re not sure what your skin type is, come and talk with us. We can help you understand your options and work with you to develop a treatment plan that will address your needs and goals.
Is There a Lot of Aftercare Involved?
The aftercare for this treatment is very simple and straightforward, and most of it is common sense. You’ll want to keep the area moist and protected for a while, so use moisturizer regularly and stay out of the sun or tanning beds until your esthetician tells you otherwise. We’ll give you instructions about how to gently clean the area, and we also recommend taking vitamin C to boost your immune system for better effect.
Do I Really Need Someone Trained in Using This Pen?
When you come to MacMed Spa, you’ll have a Plasma Pen Certified Esthetician provide your treatment. It’s very important to work with someone certified to use this device. The training our estheticians go through is highly detailed, and they keep up with all developments and best practices in the field to provide you with the best possible results.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
Every person is different, and the best way to get this question answered is to come in for a consultation. Ultimately, it will depend on your age, skin type, the area you want treated, and the condition of the treatment site. However, most people do get the results they want from just one treatment. In some cases, a second treatment will deliver optimal results. Just remember that it takes a few weeks for the full results of this treatment to become clear as your body works to rejuvenate itself from the inside out. We recommend you wait at least eight weeks before we consider a second treatment.
How Long Will a Treatment Take?
This is one of the faster rejuvenation treatments out there thanks to the technology involved and the high degree of training our estheticians go through. The length of your treatment will, of course, depend on what you’re having treated. If you’re having a larger area done, like the neck, allow about two hours for pre-treatment and post-treatment consultation, paperwork, and the treatment itself.
Other Skin Rejuvenating Treatments We Offer
At our spa, we know you need options because everyone’s skin is different. We offer a variety of skin rejuvenating treatments that can work for anyone. In some cases, these might be an alternative to a plasma therapy treatment. In other cases, treatments can be combined for enhanced results. Come talk to us about your needs and we’ll develop a unique treatment plan that will work for you. Here are just a few of the other options we offer:
Laser Treatments
For some clients, the Affirm laser skin tightening treatment can be a great choice. This treatment uses laser energy to stimulate collagen production.
IntraGen
IntraGen is another treatment we offer, and this one rejuvenates using radiofrequency energy to stimulate the body’s natural healing process.
Rezenerate
If you’re looking to enhance the healthy appearance of your skin, particularly if you’re displeased with skin texture or the appearance of age spots, this device uses nanotechnology to deliver healing serums that can dramatically improve the health of malnourished skin.
KTP Skin Laser
This skin laser treatment is specially designed to eliminate redness and the appearance of freckles, spider veins, or broken capillaries.
Rejuvenate Your Skin Today!
There are many options available for rejuvenating your skin when you visit MacMed Spa. We’re proud to offer the Plasma Pen and can’t wait to help you learn if it’s the right treatment for your needs. Contact MacMed Spa in Milford, MA today to get started!