Why Renuvion tightening but not resurfacing?

Question

I am inquiring about skin tightening and resurfacing.At least 2 plastic surgery practices offers the Renuvion for tightening, using the probe, but not the skin resurfacing? Instead they offer laser resurfacing. Is there something wrong with the Renuvion resurfacing modality? Thank you

Emmanuel De La Cruz, MD · Answer

Renuvion (also known as J-Plasma) is a versatile technology used primarily for skin tightening, though it can also be used for skin resurfacing. The choice between using Renuvion for tightening versus resurfacing depends on the specific aesthetic goals and needs of the patient. Here’s a detailed explanation of the differences and why one might be chosen over the other:

Renuvion for Skin Tightening
Purpose:

Tissue Contraction: Renuvion tightens the skin by delivering controlled helium plasma energy combined with radiofrequency energy to the subdermal tissues. This causes immediate contraction and stimulates collagen production for long-term tightening.
Laxity Improvement: Ideal for patients looking to reduce skin laxity in areas such as the neck, abdomen, arms, and thighs without significant downtime or more invasive surgery.
Procedure:

Minimally Invasive: A small probe is inserted under the skin, and the energy is applied to tighten the underlying tissue.
Recovery: Typically involves mild bruising and soreness with relatively quick recovery times compared to surgical options.
Benefits:

Non-Excisional: No removal of skin, just tightening of existing tissue.
Reduced Downtime: Less recovery time compared to surgical tightening procedures.
Renuvion for Skin Resurfacing
Purpose:

Surface Renewal: Renuvion can also be used to improve skin texture, tone, and appearance by resurfacing the outer layers of the skin.
Aesthetic Improvements: Effective for treating fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and sun damage.
Procedure:

Ablative: The device is used externally on the skin surface to ablate (remove) the outer layers of the skin.
Recovery: Involves more significant downtime compared to tightening, with peeling, redness, and potential discomfort during the healing process.
Benefits:

Skin Quality Enhancement: Provides a smoother, more youthful skin surface.
Dual Benefits: Can improve both superficial and deeper skin layers.
Why Choose Tightening Over Resurfacing?
Patient-Specific Goals:

Primary Concern: If the main concern is skin laxity and sagging rather than surface irregularities, tightening is the preferred approach.
Desired Outcome: Patients seeking firmer skin without altering the skin surface significantly might opt for tightening.
Downtime and Recovery:

Lifestyle Considerations: Patients who cannot afford extended downtime might choose tightening, as it generally involves a quicker recovery.
Combination Treatments:

Tailored Solutions: In some cases, a combination of both tightening and resurfacing might be recommended to address both deep tissue laxity and surface imperfections comprehensively.
Expert Recommendation:

Professional Evaluation: The choice between tightening and resurfacing should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. They will assess the patient’s skin condition, aesthetic goals, and overall health to recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Summary
Choosing Renuvion for skin tightening instead of resurfacing depends on the specific goals of the treatment. Tightening focuses on improving skin laxity and providing a firmer, more youthful appearance with minimal downtime, while resurfacing addresses surface-level skin issues such as texture, tone, and fine lines but involves a more extended recovery period. A thorough consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist is essential to determine the best approach for each individual’s needs.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Renuvion is a device that was invented to treat endometriosis, which is an OB/GYN condition.
I Trishen mentioned that this device might be able to be useful in the plastic surgery arena to one of his colleagues, and the device was really invented to be sold for the cosmetic surgery market, which is far greater than the market for endometriosis treatment
I Purchased the device and used it for a year and literally saw no skin tightening, and none of my patients noticed any difference. The device in my opinion is wildly over marketed and fails to deliver value or quality results. 
On the face it can be used as an ablative treatment alternative to CO2 laser. All new treatment technologies have a learning curve and providers should be apprehensive when doing aggressive treatments that can lead to permanent disfigurement and discoloration on somebody’s face.
There is no particular advantage to Renuvion as an ablative treatment to CO2 lasers. The device is not new and has been around for decades.
A blade of skin resurfacing can only be done on the face and should be done carefully and selectively on patients who have appropriate skin types and who are fully informed of the consequences of this treatment form.
I suggest having in person consultation with providers in your community to learn more about treatment options.
During the consultation, you can ask each provider first hand while they use the equipment they use. Since I don’t know these providers, I have no idea how they make their decisions.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Why Renuvion tightening but not resurfacing?

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