Q: What are the pros and cons of Subnovii?

Pros The device design allows for precise, targeted treatment, including delicate areas like around the eyes and mouth. Treatment sessions are fast—as little as 20 minutes, for small areas. The low-frequency technology minimizes recovery time, as heating is controlled. On average, full healing takes a week. The device offers a range of intensity levels, depending on your specific goals and the delicacy of the area being treated. Doctors who offer Subnovii treatment say it’s a low-risk, effective alternative to more invasive procedures. Cons The Subnovii device creates a series of small scabs across the treated area that are visible until you’re fully healed. The treatment isn't suitable for tan, brown, or deep skin tones, due to a higher risk of hyperpigmentation. It can take up to six months to see optimal results, and you may need follow-up treatments every two to three years to maintain them. Results won’t be as dramatic as you’d see with more invasive options, like CO2 laser resurfacing or a mini lift . The best candidates have only mild skin laxity. The device can potentially cause long-term or permanent scarring or hyperpigmentation, especially for people with dark skin tones. It’s important to speak with a reputable, board-certified doctor in order to ensure you’re a good candidate.

Question 1

What is the Subnovii plasma device?

Accepted Answer

The Subnovii plasma energy device uses low-frequency (LF) technology to tighten skin and minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and benign lesions on the face, neck, and décolletage.

This small, handheld device is the first plasma pen on the market with low-frequency technology. Its internal control system ensures a consistent, precise level of energy. Along with its size, this allows for a precise treatment and minimizes healing time, even in delicate areas like around the eyes and mouth.

Subnovii emits an arc of energy that interacts with the thin layer of plasma, or ionized gas, along your skin's surface. This energy penetrates the surface of your skin and triggers a healing response in cells called fibroblasts, which go into overdrive in their production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Also called fibroblasting, the treatment regenerates skin from the inside out.

RealSelf Tip: Subnovii has been FDA cleared as a Class II device for lesion removal and soft tissue coagulation. It hasn't yet been specifically cleared to tighten and firm skin, but it's commonly used "off-label" by reputable providers for that purpose.

Question 2

What are the pros and cons of Subnovii?

Accepted Answer

Pros

The device design allows for precise, targeted treatment, including delicate areas like around the eyes and mouth.
Treatment sessions are fast—as little as 20 minutes, for small areas.
The low-frequency technology minimizes recovery time, as heating is controlled. On average, full healing takes a week.
The device offers a range of intensity levels, depending on your specific goals and the delicacy of the area being treated.
Doctors who offer Subnovii treatment say it’s a low-risk, effective alternative to more invasive procedures.

Cons

The Subnovii device creates a series of small scabs across the treated area that are visible until you’re fully healed.
The treatment isn't suitable for tan, brown, or deep skin tones, due to a higher risk of hyperpigmentation.
It can take up to six months to see optimal results, and you may need follow-up treatments every two to three years to maintain them.
Results won’t be as dramatic as you’d see with more invasive options, like CO2 laser resurfacing or a mini lift. The best candidates have only mild skin laxity.
The device can potentially cause long-term or permanent scarring or hyperpigmentation, especially for people with dark skin tones. It’s important to speak with a reputable, board-certified doctor in order to ensure you’re a good candidate.

Question 3

What happens during a Subnovii plasma pen treatment?

Accepted Answer

Your provider may start by administering a local anesthetic to the treatment area, to minimize pain and discomfort during and after your procedure. Once the anesthetic has kicked in, they’ll apply the Subnovii device to your skin in a series of areas, transmitting the low-frequency plasma energy and creating dots or feathering on the surface of your skin.

The device creates tiny, instant injuries on the skin to trigger your body’s natural wound-healing and cell-regenerating process. Small scabs develop and serve as a natural, protective barrier to the activity going on below the skin.

Each treatment session takes between 20 minutes and an hour, depending on how many areas are being treated and the size of each.

Before you leave, you’ll be given a post-care Subnovii Experience Kit, with aftercare products that promote healing and protect your skin from sun damage and other side effects.

Question 4

When will you see Subnovii results?

Accepted Answer

Some patients feel skin tightening within the first week or two after their treatment as existing collagen and elastin fibers firm up.

The scabs take about 5–10 days to fall off and reveal fresh skin underneath, which may appear pink. You may see a difference within the first 10 days, but it can take 3–6 months to see full results, since skin resurfacing relies on increased collagen and elastin production. Your body needs time to produce the new protein fibers and skin cells.

You may need a series of treatments to see optimal results.

Question 5

How long do Subnovii results last?

Accepted Answer

Results last one to three years. At that point, you’ll need a follow-up treatment to maintain them. It’s important to continue a good skincare regimen, including wearing sunscreen to protect your skin.

Question 6

What are some alternatives to Subnovii?

Accepted Answer

Talk to your provider about your overall skin rejuvenation goals and potential treatment options. Whether you want to smooth out fine lines or lift sagging skin, they’ll be able to help you understand the benefits and drawbacks of the many available treatments.

In some cases, Subnovii can be combined with other aesthetic treatments. Your provider might suggest laser resurfacing, chemical peels, or microneedling.

Another well-known plasma resurfacing device simply called the Plasma Pen is also on the market, but the majority of RealSelf members who’ve had the treatment rated it Not Worth It due to pain, hyperpigmentation, or lack of results.

Some doctors on RealSelf are wary of it, too. “The Plasma Pen lacks any controls,” says Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, otolaryngologist Dr. Steven Weiner. “The spot size, pulse duration, density, and depth are highly variable and completely up to the user.”

Related: Why the Plasma Pen Is So Divisive

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Wendy Rose Gould

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