Plasma Fibroblast Therapy: Taking Cosmetic Dermatology By Storm

A patient receives a plasma fibroblast therapy treatment to tighten up her nasolabial folds.

Say hello to a hot new cosmetic treatment, plasma fibroblast therapy.

We know, it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.

But this procedure is rapidly gaining popularity in the cosmetic world for its ability to increase tightness and firmness in the skin.

Because everybody loves the idea of tightening and improving the appearance of their skin

But not everybody loves invasive procedures…

Luckily, plasma fibroblast therapy provides the upside without the downside.

It can even regenerate damaged skin.

A procedure like this is only going to gain more traction in the beauty world, so keep reading to get in early on the latest trend taking cosmetic dermatology by storm.

The Science of Plasma Fibroblast Therapy

A senior woman with wrinkles staring at the camera with the sun shining on her face. She has blue eyes, earrings and a gray jacket with the collar flipped up

Plasma fibroblast therapy is a non-invasive alternative to lasers, injections, or surgical therapies for aged or damaged skin.

The procedure gets its name from fibroblasts—the principle connective tissue cells in the body. These cells generate collagen proteins which lay the foundation for your tissue.

A pen-like device emits an electric current to specific patches of the skin. Although the pen doesn’t touch the skin, it is held above it such that it can target the current correctly.

The current generates heat which creates small holes in the dermis, the second layer of the skin.

While the holes are technically micro-injuries, they are the key to the positive cosmetic improvements. This is similar to micro-needling.

Beauty can sometimes be counterintuitive.

The fibroblasts react to these micro-injuries by secreting collagen, which in turn tightens the skin and increases firmness.

Now, let’s talk specifics.

The treatment can be used to fight back against photoaging (premature aging of the skin caused by sun overexposure), acne scarring, and wrinkled skin in various areas.

It can also be used to resurface the skin.

The day has not yet come where we can press a button to reverse the effects of aging on the skin.

As such, we must temper expectations. This is treatment, not a “cure.”

Patients can expect improved, not flawless skin texture. The skin-tightening effects are mild-to-moderate, as is the degree of contour changes in the face.

The effects are also temporary.

On average, the changes caused by plasma fibroblast therapy remain for about one year’s time. That’s because the stimulated fibroblasts return to their baseline activity after 12 months.

Due to the newness of the procedure, there aren’t a plethora of studies on its effectiveness. A 2007 study on eight patients revealed promising results, however…

All eight patients received one face treatment every three weeks for about two months and saw a 37 percent decrease in face wrinkles and photoaging. Overall, patients reported a 70% overall cosmetic improvement in their face.

Procedure Walkthrough

A young blonde woman staring into a mirror with a peeved look on her face. There is a white bouquet of flowers to the right of the mirror and a candle to the left of the mirror.

The results sound promising, but is it worth the process?

Let’s find out.

Remember those micro-injuries we talked about?

Before the current is applied, the skin nerves are numbed through the use of a topical anesthetic cream. It can take up to 30 minutes for the numbing sensation to be felt.

Once the skin is numbed, the pen is expertly applied to the target area. Very small scabs will appear intermittently on the skin.

Finally, the numbing anesthetic is replaced with a cooling gel that eases inflammation on the skin—minimizing residual pain.

In total, you’re in and out of the office in an hour or less.

Post-Plasma

This image depicts a man with brown hair and brown eyelashes with a plasma fibroblast pen being aimed near is eye

Like any scab, those formed by the body in response to the pen will fall off on their own after five to ten days.

As the skin continues to heal over the following two-to-three weeks, the skin will increase in tightness and firmness.

Anywhere from one to three treatments can suffice depending on the patient’s cosmetic goals.

Is This Right for Me?

If you’re looking to correct relatively mildly damaged skin, yes.

This procedure is not right for you if you’re allergic to topical anesthetics, are at any stage of pregnancy or are breastfeeding, or are currently treating acne or wrinkles with isotretinoin.

Got a medical history of keloids or hypertrophic scarring? Ask your doctor if this procedure is right for you.

Even if you don’t have such a history—consult your doctor beforehand.

Are there side effects other than the scabs we talked about? Yes. Are these side-effects as intrusive into one’s life and functionality as surgery? No.

Other side-effects may include skin peeling, red patches, and swelling.

As always, let the experts do the procedure. This may seem obvious, however…

Some plasma fibroblast therapy pens are sold online with the idea that patients can perform the procedure without the help of an expert.

Bad, bad idea.

There have been reports of individuals suffering adverse reactions due to misuse of these devices when performed by a non-professional.

Don’t be a statistic.

Don’t try this at home.

Don’t perform the procedure on yourself.

The Path Forward

Wondering about the cost of this procedure?

Fibroblast therapy prices range depending on which area is being treated. Small areas start at $350 while large areas may cost more.

As always, our cosmetic experts will map out a precise treatment plan with you based on your aesthetic goals.

This will start with a FREE consultation with our aesthetician.

While plasma fibroblast therapy is a relatively new treatment, early results have been promising.

The popularity of the procedure stems from its minimally invasive nature.

We’re talking about as little as five to ten days of recovery time, as opposed to possibly months for most surgeries.

Whether you’re worried about wrinkles or acne scarring, the experts at SINY Dermatology can help determine whether or not this procedure is right for you.

If you’re interested in scheduling a FREE consultation call 718-491-5800.

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