Do’s and Don’t After Plasma Pen Treatment
As we age, the dermal layer of our skin starts to thin and produce less collagen, and the elastin fibers that provide elasticity loosen, resulting in wrinkling and sagging skin. The Plasma Pen is designed to repair, reverse, and rejuvenate the negative effects of aging using nitrogen plasma technology. In the skilled and confident hands of the skin experts at Desert Med Aesthetics, a Plasma Pen treatment can tighten, lift, resurface, and regenerate nearly anywhere on the skin, all with natural-looking results.
With great results comes great responsibility on your part in the form of a list of do’s and don’ts after a plasma pen treatment.
What is the Plasma Pen, and How Does It Work?
Before we jump into the aftercare, let’s first discuss the details of this skin resurfacing procedure. The Plasma Pen is an advanced, minimally-invasive, skin-lifted device that can treat wrinkles, skin tags, and creeping skin texture. The Plamere Plasma Pen is used to perform fibroblast therapy. Fibroblasts are common cells of connective tissue in the body that produce collagen.
The fibroblasting process involves ionizing gasses from the atmospheric air, which creates a microelectrical discharge or ARC. Although the ARC never physically touches the skin, it causes micro-injuries to the epidermal layer along with heat, which together disrupts the deeper dermal structures. Once the fibroblasts are restored, collagen productions start to flow, tightening and firming the skin.
What Should You Do After A Plasma Pen Treatment?
Follow the Aftercare Instructions
The technicians at Desert Med Aesthetics will provide a detailed list of instructions to follow post-treatment that should be followed closely. These instructions will include proper wound care, activity limitations, medicine schedule, and much more.
Keep the treated area clean
Do your best not to touch or expose your skin to environmental contaminants. Keeping the treated area clean can be done in small ways, including keeping your hands clean, changing out your pillowcase, cleansing all makeup applicants after each use, and washing your face with a mild facial cleanser twice to three times daily.
Apply any prescription ointment
You’ll be prescribed prescription ointments that must be applied on a schedule. These ointments will aid your skin’s healing and help prevent infections.
Use a cold compress
Although the treatment is mildly invasive, slight swelling and discomfort can be expected within 24 to 48 hours. To help ease some of these side effects, we encourage our clients to apply a cold compress to the treatment areas for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
Protect the area from sunlight
The time it takes for your skin to fully recover can be anywhere from two to four weeks. We recommend that clients wear sun-protective clothing, such as a hat and sunscreen, during this time. Sun exposure can lead to unwanted scarring and damage to the renewed skin.
Stay hydrated
Your daily water intake plays a huge part in how your body can heal. For the duration of your recovery after a Plasma Pen treatment, avoid alcoholic beverages, sugary sodas or coffee, and energy drinks, and stay on top of your water intake to help keep your skin and body hydrated.
Eat a balanced diet
In addition to drinking plenty of water, pay close attention to your diet. Consume foods that are high in protein, vitamins, and healthy fats. Avoid overly processed foods and foods that contain an abundance of sugar, as these can make the body sluggish.
Sleep with your head elevated
When you sleep at night or while resting during the day, prop your head up with a few pillows. Keeping your head elevated will help with blood circulation and minimize swelling.
Be patient
While the results are incredible, they will not appear overnight. Be patient during the recovery period, follow all the technician’s instructions, and enjoy seeing your skin repair itself during your recovery.
Attend all follow-up appointments
Follow-up appointments are an essential part of the recovery. This provides time for your technician to examine your skin, address any potential risks of infection ahead of time, and monitor your skin’s progress.
What Should You Not Do After A Plasma Pen Treatment?
Don’t pick at the scabs or crusts
There is a point in the recovery where the treatment area can become itchy. This is a natural occurrence during the healing process because the skin is healing itself. Under no circumstance should you give in to the urge to itch or pick, as this can lead to scarring and infection. Instead, apply a soothing balm or ointment to the area or apply a cold compress.
Avoid applying makeup
A Plasma Pen treatment will leave your skin with tiny pinprick marks that can feel and look a bit wild for the first week or so. These pinpricks are open and exposed wounds that need to be able to breathe to heal. Avoid applying makeup until your technician says it’s okay for you to do so.
Don’t expose the treatment area to direct heat
Hot showers, saunas, hot tubs, and blasting heaters must be avoided. Intense forms of heat can contribute to sweating, leading to infection and swelling.
Avoid strenuous exercises
Like with intense forms of heat, strenuous exercise can also lead to increased sweating, leading to infection. The goal is to keep your skin clean and dry during recovery.
Don’t use exfoliating agents
Exfoliating your skin is great for removing dead skin cells and allowing your skin to breathe freely. Still, during the recovery period, exfoliating can remove scabs that are needed for proper healing. Put away the exfoliating pads and towels until your technician clears you to continue.
Avoid smoking and alcohol
All forms of nicotine should be avoided as this can interfere with proper blood circulation. On the same note, alcohol dehydrates the body, and the skin needs hydration to heal efficiently and effectively.
Don’t use tanning beds
Tanning beds use UV light to darken the client’s skin tone. If used during recovery after a Plasma Pen treatment, the UV rays can contribute to unwanted scarring.
Avoid swimming
Swimming is a great form of exercise, but pools are filled with chlorine and bacteria, which can get into the micro-injuries in the skin and cause infection. Avoid swimming until your treatment area is completely healed.
Don’t use skincare products that contain irritants
Many cosmetics have active ingredients like retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, which are fantastic at exfoliating and treating the skin. However, they should be put on a brief hold during the healing process as they can irritate the treatment area.
Avoid touching the treated area
The amount of bacteria we pick up on our hands in a given hour is astounding. Do your best to avoid touching your skin, but if you must, use a clean napkin or paper towel to dab at the skin instead.
Schedule Your Plasma Pen Treatment at Desert Med Aesthetics Today
With this information, you are now ready to embark on your skin rejuvenation journey with Plasma Pen treatments. To schedule your consultation and have your skin examined by a licensed technician at Desert Med Aesthetics, call our Indian Wells location at (760) 777-8872 or contact us online through our patient form.