PLASMAPEN

“The goal of the procedure is to create shallow and narrow zones of ablation in the epidermis, or upper layer of skin, to produce small areas of contraction,” explains Dr. Sameer Bashey, a board-certified dermatologist with offices in New York City and Los Angeles.

It can treat almost any area of the body, but providers typically reserve fibroblasting treatments for firming small areas of the face where the majority of the loss of elasticity is evident. The process demands precise dot-by-dot energy application, which can be too painstaking for correcting large sections of skin. 

“I primarily treat the upper and lower eyelids. This area heals rapidly, and skin contraction is most obvious here—along with the [so-called] smoker’s lines around the mouth,” says Dr. Bashey. While some providers use it to treat neck lines, Dr. Bashley cautions against it. “I would never use this on high-risk scarring areas such as the neck.”

Subtle changes can be seen after one treatment session, so you may need two or three (spaced 6-8 weeks apart) to see your desired results.

Pros

• You can target very small areas, such lip lines, smile lines, marionette lines (aka nasolabial folds), mild sagging along the jawline, forehead lines, crow's-feet, and other fine lines around the eyes. 
• It can give a subtle lift to sagging eyelids.  
• The procedure can also treat skin tags, seborrheic keratoses, and stretch marks. 
• It's relatively inexpensive, and most people don’t need more than three treatments. 
• The new collagen that results is long-lasting, so benefits can last about three years. 

Cons

• You will see swelling, peeling, scabbing, and bruising post-treatment, so you may want to take up to a week of social downtime before going back in public.   
• If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or have an autoimmune condition or existing sensitive skin condition, you should not be treated with a PlasmaPen. 
• It’s not recommended for people with olive or brown skin tones because of heightened risks of hyperpigmentation.  
• The PlasmaPen is not yet FDA-approved, and plasma fibroblasting devices of any kind have been unavailable for use in Canada ever since Health Canada warned that they may pose health risks.
• While it can improve mildly sagging skin, people with more moderate to severe skin laxity probably won't get noticeable skin-lifting results. Only plastic surgery like a surgical facelift can tighten very loose skin or eliminate jowls.

• Average Cost:
• $1,080

• Range:
• $400 - $2,499

Your cost will depend primarily on the size of the treated area and how many treatments you have, though your provider’s level of experience and their practice location are also factors.

This treatment carries risks of scarring and hyperpigmentation if it's not done correctly, so this is one case where you definitely don't want to bargain shop for a provider.

You can finance your treatment with CareCredit.

See our complete guide to PlasmaPen costs

The PlasmaPen photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

The PlasmaPen works by converting electrical energy into an oxygen-and-nitrogen plasma stream. When that gas hits the skin’s surface, it creates controlled microtrauma and causes existing collagen fibers within the dermal layer to contract. This creates some immediate firming, as well as a more long-term tightening effect, as collagen production ramps up in the dermis.

The procedure can take anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the area you’re targeting. It can be mildly painful, so your provider will start by applying a topical numbing cream.

Once you’re numb, they’ll use the tip of the pen to send energy into your skin in a grid-like dot pattern.

Afterward, they'll apply a bland ointment, like Vaseline, to help the skin heal.

RealSelf Tip: If you have a history of herpes simplex or your history is unknown, your physician may have you take an antiviral, like Valtrex, before treating around the mouth, notes board-certified New York City dermatologist Dr. Sejal Shah.

In very experienced hands, treatment with the original PlasmaPen can be safe for people with Fitzpatrick skin types I–III (very pale to white skin that can tan).

However, the PlasmaPen has not yet been FDA-approved or cleared. In 2019, Health Canada (a federal public health agency) released a safety alert, reminding its citizens that plasma pens available for sale there “have not been evaluated for safety, effectiveness, or quality,” and noting that they “may pose health risks.”

Related: Why the PlasmaPen Is So Divisive

Potential PlasmaPen complications and side effects run the gamut from mild and temporary to more serious and permanent.

According to Dr. Shah, risks include:

• redness and swelling, especially around the eyes 
• pigment changes (usually temporary but sometimes permanent)
• blisters, burns, and crusting 
• acne flares and milia formation 
• scarring 

Scars occur when a provider lingers too long over one specific area, “creating a crater that’s too wide or too deep,” Dr. Bashey warns.

It's usually possible to reduce the appearance of damage like scarring and hyperpigmentation, but it can require a series of additional treatments. That's why it's so essential to ensure that your provider has ample experience and a track record of using the device safely. Pay special attention to their patient reviews and photos, and be alert to red flags.

In the week after your procedure, your face will feel tight and dry, and will have some redness, irritation, and a grid pattern of dot-like wounds. You may experience some swelling, scabbing, and flaking. This is all part of the normal healing process. 

Per the brand's aftercare instructions, it's essential to avoid picking at the crusts on your skin during the first seven days post-treatment, since this can cause scarring. Avoid applying lotions and creams that contain perfumes or alcohol, or any exfoliating skincare products.

Skip vigorous exercise, heat, or steam during the first 48 hours post-treatment, since this can cause inflammation, and avoid saunas or sun beds for 12 weeks after your appointment. Also, do not wax the treatment area for at least 21 days.

If you have had a PlasmaPen treatment around your eyes, you should not wear contact lenses for at least 72 hours.

Finally, avoid all other in-office aesthetic treatments on the same area for at least 12 weeks and don't wear makeup until all the scabs have fallen off the skin. 

Once your skin has recovered, it's essential to be diligent about sun protection to maintain your results.

Doctors recommend waiting for two days after a PlasmaPen treatment before washing your face, since the skin is so sensitive. 

After that, cleanse the treated area each day with lukewarm water and a soft wash cloth. This will help remove excess oil without irritating the skin.

Ideally, a PlasmaPen procedure should always be performed by a well-trained doctor, registered nurse, or physician's assistant, operating under a doctor’s supervision.

“The laws defining scope of practice for aestheticians vary state to state, but in many states, they cannot legally perform the PlasmaPen treatment due to its invasiveness,” notes Dr. Shah.

Related: The Best Nonsurgical Skin Tightening Treatments, According to Doctors and RealSelf Members

Expertly performed PlasmaPen treatments can reduce fine lines and firm mild skin laxity, but like other nonsurgical treatments, it takes time for it to work. 

While you may notice some subtle skin tightening after the first week, significant improvements take time to develop: usually two to three treatments, two months apart.

“As with all collagen-contraction procedures, we typically start seeing real results six to eight weeks after treatment—and they continue to build for several months beyond that point,” says Dr. Bashey.

According to the brand, results will last around three years, with some people experiencing longer results. Even more promising, studies have found that newly formed collagen created by fibroblasting can potentially last for upwards of 15 years. 

However, keep in mind that your skin never stops aging, so existing collagen will continue to break down over time. You'll need maintenance treatments (sometimes paired with other wrinkle-reducing procedures and injectables, like Botox, dermal fillers, or peels) to prolong results.

Related: All the Ways to Boost Collagen Production (And One That Won’t Work)

Fisher, Gary J, et al. “Looking Older: Fibroblast Collapse and Therapeutic Implications.” Archives of Dermatology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2008.

“Health Canada Reminds Canadians That Plasma Pens Are Unauthorized and May Pose Health Risks, Following Complaints Involving Calgary and North York Spas.” Recalls and Safety Alerts, 27 Mar. 2019.

Taylor, Nathan. “Health Canada Issues Warning about Cosmetic Plasma Pens.” New Market Today, 7 Dec. 2018.