Plasma Resurfacing in Puyallup, WA

What Is Plasma Resurfacing (NeoGen)?

Plasma Resurfacing is a skin regenerative procedure using ionized Nitrogen gas.

The energy from the Nitrogen gas travels into your deeper skin layers, without breaking the surface layers. Your cells respond to this energy by building more collagen cells and restructuring your elastin. Those cellular changes lead to the more youthful appearing skin of your younger years!

How It Works

The benefits of Plasma Resurfacing include:

• Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Tightening of the skin.
• Improvement in skin elasticity.
• Better skin texture.
• Reduced pore size.
• Softening of any scar tissue.
• Tightening of the eyelids.

Here at Eterna Vein & Medical Aesthetics, we use NeoGen PSRT™ (Nitrogen Plasma System) to deliver world class Plasma Resurfacing to our patients.

When Do I See Results & How Often Should I Have Plasma Resurfacing?

An initial series of three (3) lighter treatments or one (1) aggressive treatment is highly recommended.

There are immediate results that are visible. After 5-10 days, the upper layers of the treated skin will come away with washing your skin. Your face will be bright and fresh! Plasma resurfacing triggers collagen and elastin reproduction, which take time to build. You should be able to see a difference in your skin lifting and tightening beginning three (3) months after your treatment(s). Patients report seeing improvement for up to a year!

A light (low energy) treatment can be repeated monthly. We recommend trying three treatments, one month apart to begin with.

An aggressive treatment should not need to be repeated for 2-3 years or whenever you desire to stimulate your collagen and elastin again. You may repeat treatment yearly!

What Are the Risks and Complications of This Treatment?

Plasma Resurfacing is safe for most patients! As with any resurfacing procedure, there is a small risk of infection. Since Plasma Resurfacing does not create wounds in the skin like other resurfacing treatments (i.e., CO2 Laser), the likelihood of infection is low.

Different settings can be used to accommodate different skin tones. There is a possibility of permanent changes (hyper- or hypopigmentation) in the color of your skin. Avoiding sun exposure for 2 weeks prior to your treatment (or longer) and for 4 weeks after will minimize the risk of hyperpigmentation.

If you have had cold sores in the past, this procedure may trigger an outbreak. Please let us know if you have had a Herpes Simplex infection before, and a prescription can be written prior to your procedure. There is a possibility of scarring as a complication. Your hair may be singed during treatment, but it will regrow with time. Great care will be taken to minimize your risks.

If you have any concerns, please address them with your provider prior to your treatment.

Contraindications

Plasma Resurfacing may not be safe for the following patients (Please discuss this with your provider before considering treatment):

• Patients who are considered ineligible for general surgery.
• Patients with poor wound healing or a history of keloids.
• Patients with active skin conditions (psoriasis, eczema, infection, any inflammatory condition of the skin or skin cancer).
• Patients who have used oral tretinoins, like Accutane, 6 months prior to treatment OR patients who are currently applying topical steroids on the treatment area.
• Patients with broken skin in the area that is being treated.
• Pregnant or lactating women (until normal menstrual cycles resumes)
• Patients who have tanned or used self-tanner within one week of their treatment.
• Patients with Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI
• Patients with Vitiligo
• Patients with a weakened immune system (HIV/AIDS, leukemia, other autoimmune disease) or patients with poorly controlled diabetes.
• Patients with a pacemaker, ICDs and/or monitoring equipment.

Preparing for Your Plasma Resurfacing Treatment

To ensure optimal results and safety, please follow these important pre-treatment instructions:

• Avoid sun exposure and tanning a minimum of 2 weeks before your procedure.
• Use a mineral-based sunscreen (zinc oxide + titanium dioxide) of SPF 30 or greater on all areas being treated with Plasma Resurfacing.
• Use clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and other protective items on areas being treated, in addition to sunscreen.
• Avoid retinol-based products, tretinoin products (Retin-A), and all topical acids at least 1 week prior to your procedure.
• Avoid exfoliating treatments (microdermabrasion, dermaplane, chemical peel, Hydrafacial, etc.) and at-home exfoliators 1 week prior to your procedure.
• Begin drinking more water in the days leading up to your appointment to be well hydrated. Proper hydration is important for energy delivery of the ionized nitrogen gas.
• Begin using Sente Dermal Repair Cream 2 weeks before your procedure. This will help reduce redness and quicken healing time after treatment.
• If you have a history of cold sores, let us know so we can prescribe medication to prevent an outbreak.
• Have a pre-procedure appointment 2 weeks prior (for aggressive treatments only).

During Your Plasma Resurfacing Treatment

You may (for aggressive treatments only) be given prescription medications to help you relax during your procedure. In this case, you will need a driver to get you home.

Your skin will be cleansed (and for patients receiving a more aggressive treatment, numbing cream applied before your treatment for 45-60 minutes). For patients receiving a gentle, more spa-like treatment, no numbing is necessary.

During your treatment, you will hear a clapping or snapping sound with each pulse of the plasma. You will experience a warm sensation, like a puff of heat, and possibly the feeling of a mild sunburn. If your treatment is aggressive, you will feel a more focalized concentration of heat, almost like a pin prick.

After Your Plasma Resurfacing Treatment

Downtime depends on the intensity of your treatment:

Light treatment: 2–3 days of downtime
Aggressive treatment: 7–10 days of downtime

You may feel warmth similar to a sunburn for several hours after your procedure. Mild, temporary swelling is normal. Some patients experience a temporary acne breakout. These side effects typically resolve on their own.

Your skin will be fragile and must be handled carefully. Depending on your treatment and sensitivity, the top layers of skin may appear pink or red.

What to Avoid

To protect your results and prevent complications:

• Avoid touching your face
• Avoid contact with animals and unnecessary skin contact
• Avoid exercise and activities that raise body temperature
• Avoid baths and hot tubs for 2 weeks

Increasing body temperature during healing can increase the risk of permanent pigment changes.

Pre and Post Care Instructions

Neogen Pre/Post Procedure Instructions