Developed by Louise Walsh International, the Plasma Pen is a revolutionary device designed to provide advanced, non-invasive skin rejuvenation. The plasma pen effectively lifts, tightens, resurfaces, and helps regenerate skin. Treatment with the plasma pen is considered a ‘soft surgery’ and typically results in very little down time and a quick recovery. If you’re looking for a less invasive plasma skin tightening procedure in Chicago that will give you fast, noticeable results, the Plasma Pen could be a great option for you.
This German-manufactured device produces many tiny flashes of plasma, forcing immediate contraction of the skin tissue and creating thermal disruption within the dermis. This disruption helps activate the production of collagen and elastin, releases key proteins within the skin, and encourages healing. Jump-starting these otherwise natural bodily processes helps to lift and plump the chosen area over a sustained period of time and releases vital proteins that lay in the dermis. The device is FDA-approved for fibroblast therapy, meaning that it treats fibroblasts; these are the most common type of cell found in connective tissue and produce collagen. Fibroblast therapy therefore stimulates the growth of collagen where the treatment was performed.
The plasma pen is most often used to rejuvenate the face and neck. It is especially popular for reshaping the eye area, and is used by the best eyelid surgeons in Chicago to provide patients with long-lasting results. In fact, the plasma pen is the only procedure aside from plastic surgery that’s safe to perform on eyelids. The Plasma Pen can also be used on hands, elbows, stomach, legs, arms, and any other area of the body with loose or wrinkled skin. Acne scarring, wrinkles, crows feet, stretch marks, millia, sagging under eye bags and spider veins are just a few of many issues the plasma pen can treat.
If you schedule a consultation with one of the best eye surgeons in Chicago, your visit will include a thoughtful and expert assessment of your skin and aesthetic goals. Some factors that may disqualify you from being a fitting candidate include being pregnant, breastfeeding, having a pacemaker or other metal appliance in the treated area, diabetes, cancer, or another autoimmune disease that affects a patients’ ability to heal. Our skilled doctors are qualified to determine if you are right for the Plasma Pen, and if they decide that you are, a strategy for your treatment will be presented for your next appointment.
The procedure will begin with a numbing cream to help manage the sensations associated with the Plasma Pen. Most patients will report little to no discomfort during treatment, with some lingering numbness following their appointment. No stitches, anesthesia, or invasive measures are taken. Your doctor will then use the Plasma Pen, a small handheld device, to treat your desired area. The tip of the plasma pen doesn’t actually even touch the skin, as it doesn’t need to in order to stimulate the fibroblasts to produce new collagen. The procedure requires little to no downtime for most, but may include mild skin sensitivity, redness, and/or flaking in the affected area. You will most likely be able to go to your scheduled activities the same day.
As your fresh skin emerges from below, you will begin to see the effects you dreamed of. You may notice your skin continuing to become tighter and more youthful over the coming weeks, with full results seen at the six-month mark. While some patients will experience permanent changes, many will notice their results fade within three to five years of their treatment.
The time for this procedure will vary depending on the area that has been chosen for treatment. Most patients will need to block off 60 to 90 minutes out of their day for their appointment. If you are having a larger area treated with the Plasma Pen, it can take up to a few hours. Consult with our doctor before your visit so you know what to expect beforehand.
The answer to this question relies heavily on your personal preference. While having the eye area treated with the plasma pen will not affect your ability to work, it will likely be apparent that you underwent a procedure during the first phase of your healing process. As described above, the Plasma Pen can leave skin raw, red, or flaky for a few days afterwards. However, there should be no immediate concern or worry in returning to normal activities.
You should avoid applying makeup after Plasma Pen treatment for at least the duration of the healing process. Healing can take 5-7 days, depending on the individual and the area that has been treated. Since makeup and other topical products may contaminate or irritate the affected area, be sure to check with your doctor before applying anything to it. Make sure to not scrub, wash off or pick at any of the treated areas until the scabs fall off in order to promote your body’s natural healing process. Also try to avoid any NSAIDS for two weeks after the procedure.
There is no age limit for Plasma Pen treatments, and it is never too late to start feeling better in your own skin! We encourage patients of all ages to reach out for consultations. During each consultation, we will ask questions and take into account the patient’s lifestyle, health profile, and desired results to confirm that they are a good candidate for any given treatment.
Patients who are looking for more subtle results may be completely satisfied with a single treatment with the Plasma Pen. For some, the results are permanent, while for others, results might begin to wear off after a few years. Those who are looking to treat more extensive features may benefit from two or more procedures, including maintenance over time. We can provide personalized recommendations during a consultation.
For best results with the Plasma Pen, you should avoid tanning, tanning injections, sunbeds, and spray tanning for 4-6 weeks before your procedure. Using a strong sunblock in the 2-4 weeks before your treatment can also help prepare your skin for treatment. We recommend staying out of the sun for 6-12 weeks after your procedure, depending on the level of exposure. You should also stop all retinol products at least four days prior to the treatment as well as several weeks after it.
If you’re considering the Plasma Pen treatment as one of your rejuvenation options, we recommend that you discuss your desired results with the best eyelid surgeons in Chicago, Glenview, and Memphis to see if it’s a fitting option for you. Our offices provide a wide suite of treatments to suit many different kinds of requests. Please reach out today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
If you are interested in learning more about cheek implants, contact Dr. Cohen today to schedule a consultation. He will listen to your goals and concerns and help you decide if this procedure is right for you. Call (847) 834-0390 to get started!
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