Introduction to Plasma Fibroblast Therapy
Plasma Fibroblast Therapy is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that has gained significant popularity in recent years for its ability to tighten and rejuvenate the skin. This innovative procedure is often used to address various skin concerns such as wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, and even acne scars. However, one common question that many potential clients have is whether or not a plasma fibroblast treatment is a painful experience. In this article, we will help you understand the pain levels associated with plasma fibroblast therapy and ways to manage it and avoid a painful experience.
Understanding the Plasma Fibroblast Procedure
To better comprehend the level of pain of plasma fibroblast therapy, it is essential to understand how the procedure works and what device is used. Plasma fibroblast therapy utilizes a handheld device that emits a small arc of plasma energy, this is not to be confused with "blood plasma" or Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections. PRP and plasma fibroblast are two completely different treatments as plasma fibroblast has nothing at all to do with blood. So now that we understand that we are talking about a plasma energy source, this is created inside the plasma pen by ionizing atmospheric gasses and converting an electrical charge into a plasma discharge.
This plasma discharge jumps from the tip of the pen to the skin and enters the skin to target the cells of your skin. As we age, our skin begins to produce less collagen, causing the skin to wrinkle and sag. By sending this plasma energy into the epidermal layer of the skin, we can target the cells that produce collagen and elastin and re-stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the area which ultimately leads to skin tightening and rejuvenation.
Not all plasma fibroblast technicians are created equally
Before getting a plasma fibroblast treatment, you must do your due diligence on the quality of technician and technology they use. This will play a large factor in the level of pain you will experience during your plasma treatment for several factors. One, your technician must use a topical numbing solution. If the technician you are considering going to does not use a numbing solution, run the other way! Two, you need to have a basic understanding of what is a good pen and what is a bad pen, luckily it is pretty easy to tell the difference by looking at the pictures or videos on a company's social media page. Don't worry, later in this article I will show you what to look for so you can spot a technician that has invested in proper technology. Three, what qualifications does this technician hold? Believe it or not, a plasma fibroblast certificate alone is not sufficient enough to offer plasma fibroblast as a service to clients yet there are many academies out there that will sell their pen to practically anyone. If someone has no other qualification than a plasma certificate, they are NOT a technician you want to consider. If a technician is any of the following, a doctor, dermatologist, esthetician, nurse practitioner, skin therapist, or permanent makeup artist then they are worth considering. You want it to be obvious that the specialist you visit has taken substantial training and has a strong understanding of treating the skin.
The Pain Factor During Treatment
If a technician is performing a plasma fibroblast treatment correctly, using the proper topical numbing solution and an adequate device for the job, it should not be a painful experience at all. Now everyone has a different tolerance for pain, so we shouldn't say there is no feeling of discomfort throughout a treatment, but it should be completely bearable. If not, ask the technician to apply more numbing solution to the treatment area and wait until that area is completely numb before carrying on. The level of sensitivity you can expect also depends on the treatment area. For instance, more sensitive areas, such as around the eyes or the upper lip, may be slightly more uncomfortable than other areas like the cheeks or forehead but it all comes down to proper numbing and ensuring that numbing solutions have come fully into effect, otherwise it's going to hurt! If you are worried about what will feel like, your technician should always do a small patch test before treatment. This patch test is normally performed in non-visible areas, such as behind the ear to ensure there are no adverse reactions to your skin and that you are a suitable candidate for the treatment. This will be a perfect opportunity for you to evaluate what the treatment is going to feel like before actually committing to it.
Determining if the technician you're considering is using a good or bad pen.
A good technician and an authentic plasma pen are considerably hard to come! The market is flooded with low-quality electric pens that are no different than a mole removal pen. Let me tell you, the last thing you want is someone cooking your skin with a mole or skin tag removal pen. Mole removal pens are designed to be powerful since you need to "burn" through to the root of the mole to remove it, these electric pens should not be used for anything else and not on your delicate skin!
An authentic plasma pen does not burn the skin like an electric pen does, but rather leaves a small white dot on the skin with a tiny pinprick in the center which is called carbon. The difference between an authentic plasma fibroblast pen and an electric pen is distinct, let's compare the two.
Authentic plasma pen:
- The arc from the tip of the pen is purple
- The dots on the skin are white with a tiny pinprick of black in the center
- It smells of Ozone, not burning skin.
- Carbon crusts will form during recovery, this is different from a scab. The pinprick of carbon will rise to the surface in the days that follow the treatment and will feel smooth to the touch unlike a scab, which is rough and superficial.
- Since there is less trauma caused to the skin, the recovery process can be faster and more manageable.
Electric pens:
- The arc from the tip of the pen is white or yellow in color. Some pens have done a decent job mimicking a purple arc, the tall tell sign it's electric is if the dots are black or brown.
- You'll notice a very strong smell of burning skin
- There will be lots of smoke
- Expect excessive trauma caused to the skin making for a very uncomfortable, enflamed experience.
- The black/brown dots will form scabs on the skin
- If the technician was too aggressive, there could be scarring or hyperpigmentation
Here are the visual differences between authentic plasma pens and electric pens.
Authentic plasma pen: See the purple spark, white dots, pinprick of black, no burning and no smoke.
Electric pen: See the yellow/ orange spark, black/brown dots, burning, smoke and excessive trauma caused to the skin.
Post-Treatment Discomfort and Healing Process
1. Immediately post-treatment
Immediately after your treatment with an authentic plasma pen like the PLAXEL+ plasma pen, you will notice the white dots with a tiny back carbon crust in the center. You will likely experience some redness and swelling immediately after the treatment that can last 24-48 hours depending on your overall skin health. Your technician should immediately apply MicroTonic post-treatment, the white dots will disappear and the tiny black carbon crusts will be left behind. Your skin will be smooth until the carbon begins to emerge. You should not feel bumpy superficial scabs like you would with an electric pen.
2. Twenty-four hours post-treatment
Twenty-four to forty-eight hours after the treatment, you will start to see the carbon crusts rising to the surface of the skin. These carbon crusts are different from the superficial scabs that electric pens leave behind, as we've discussed. If you see superficial scabs on the skin it means your technician may have used an electric pen or gone a little too aggressive by hovering in one place and burning the skin which will cause unnecessary trauma to the area. Superficial scabs will prolong the time it takes for your skin to heal. Your technician should provide you with a Sunshine Botanicals AfterCare Kit to properly nourish and heal the skin. We recommend our specially formulated water-based concealer that is completely safe for post-plasma use. This concealer will help you conceal any redness, or carbon dots and allow you to continue with your everyday life while your skin is healing.
3. Three days post-treatment
At this stage, depending on your overall skin health, these carbon crusts should have fully risen to the surface of the skin. This is when the dots will look their darkest, but again, if you had your treatment done with an authentic plasma pen or they didn't go super aggressive, you will not see superficial scabs on the skin. These carbon crusts rising to the surface of the skin without scabs means we've effectively caused cell sublimation and a micro-injury to the skin which is required for new collagen production to form. The goal is massive collagen stimulation without causing the excessive trauma that electric pens cause.
3. Six days post-treatment
In most cases, by the sixth or seventh-day post-treatment, your skin will have shed most of the carbon crusts. Treatments on the body or patients who are not in the best health can take a little longer to heal. It will take several months for the skin to develop collagen, so we do not recommend repeating the treatment for at least three months. Many clients will start to see results within a week following the treatment, some clients need a month or two of heightened collagen production to see their best results. It's important to note, your results will continue to develop for weeks to months as the production of collagen reactivates.
Instant tightening effect:
Since electric pens excessively burn the skin there is an instant tightening effect but this instant tightening does not last. As soon as your skin heals it will go back to the state it was in before the treatment was performed. TO give you an example, when you burn the tip of your finger, the skin tightens up initially but once it's healed it loosens off back to its original state, the same thing happens when a technician burns the skin. Something else to consider, collagen and elastin can not be produced instantaneously. True results will be revealed in the weeks to months following the treatment, don't be fooled by a technician selling you on instant tightening immediately after the treatment, remember the goal of plasma fibroblast is to produce collagen and elastin and this is a gradual process that begins as your skin is healing and continues for months so you may not see your true final result for1-2 months post treatment but the benefit is that new collagen and elastin can last up to 2-3 years so provides much longer term solution to tightening and lifting the skin as opposed to Botox.
It should be noted that there are some cases where results can be instantaneous, this is when treating fine lines or skin imperfections like milia, skin tags, sun spots, or moles. You can see instant results with these types of conditions.
Effective Pain Management Techniques
While a minor amount of discomfort is to be expected during and after plasma fibroblast treatment, several effective pain management techniques can make the experience more comfortable.
Topical Anesthetics
As we mentioned earlier, before the procedure, a topical anesthetic cream is often applied to the treatment area to numb the skin and minimize discomfort. This cream is typically applied 30-45 minutes before the treatment begins and can significantly reduce the pain experienced during the session.
Cooling Measures
Applying cold compresses or ice packs to the treated area post-procedure can help alleviate discomfort and reduce swelling. It is essential to wrap the ice pack in a cloth or towel to prevent direct contact with the skin, which could cause further irritation.
Proper Aftercare
Following your provider's aftercare instructions is crucial for minimizing discomfort and ensuring optimal healing. This may include avoiding direct sun exposure, refraining from applying regular makeup or skincare products to the treated area, and keeping the area clean and moisturized. If you've been burned by a technician using an electric pen, and they didn't provide you with proper aftercare or you don't trust the aftercare they provided don't hesitate to reach out to us or purchase our recommended kit below:
Brightening Moisture Fluid - Post Plasma Aftercare
Specially Formulated Plasma Aftercare Kit - Sunshine Botanicals
Aftercare Concealer - Post Plasma Concealer
Conclusion
In conclusion, plasma fibroblast therapy can cause some discomfort during and after the treatment depending on the type of device used and the experience your technician has. However, if a technician is following proper pain management techniques and providing aftercare, it is a manageable experience for most clients. The long-lasting results of tightened and rejuvenated skin that authentic plasma pens offer often outweigh any temporary discomfort experienced during the procedure. If you are considering plasma fibroblast therapy, consult with a licensed professional to discuss your concerns and determine if this treatment is suitable for your needs. If you'd like to have your treatment done with a PLAXEL provider, check our database to locate a the provider nearest to you. By being well-informed and prepared for the treatment and post treatment recovery process, you can ensure a more comfortable and successful plasma fibroblast therapy experience.