Plasma Fibroblast

What is Plasma Fibroblast Therapy? Plasma fibroblast therapy targets fibroblasts. These are collagen- and protein-producing cells in the dermis, the layer of skin just below your outermost skin layer. Fibroblasts play an important role in helping skin wounds heal, as well as maintaining skin firmness and tightness.

Plasma fibroblast therapy uses a pen-like device that discharges a high-frequency electric current to small areas of the skin. The plasma tip doesn't directly touch the skin, but instead releases a targeted current just above the skin. The hot current creates small holes, or micro-injuries, in the skin's layer.

According to a 2019 article published in the PMFA journal, the thermal disruption, or heat damage, from plasma fibroblast therapy:

• breaks down proteins in the skin
• encourages tissue regeneration
• stimulates fibroblast activity
• causes tissue contraction (tightening)

Healthcare providers may also call this approach plasma skin resurfacing. What are the benefits of plasma fibroblast therapy? Plasma fibroblast therapy is a nonsurgical treatment that may be used to treat the following conditions:

• acne scars
• photo aging, including age spots
• seborrheic keratosis
• wrinkled skin, including the eyelids, neck, jawline and above the lips

Cosmetic specialists may also use plasma fibroblast therapy as an alternative to lip fillers to make the lips look fuller.

Does it work? When plasma fibroblast therapy is performed in a safe, controlled environment, it can:

• improve skin texture
• offer mild-to-moderate skin tightening effects
• result in some degree of skin facial contour change

According to a 2014 article in the journal Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, the effects are expected to stimulate fibroblast production for up to one year after treatment. However, there aren't a lot of studies on plasma fibroblast therapy as it is a relatively new aesthetic procedure.

One small 2007 study used plasma fibroblast therapies on eight participants. Each participant received one full-face treatment every 3 weeks. At the study's conclusion, patients reported a 37 percent reduction in facial wrinkling and a 68 percent overall improvement in facial appearance.

What's the procedure like? While the procedure may vary slightly based on where you are having the treatment, the basic steps typically include:

• Cleaning the skin and applying a topical anesthetic (numbing) cream.  You may need to wait about 30 minutes for the numbing cream to take effect.
• Treating the designated skin area with the plasma pen. The pen will create small arcs of microcurrents that make small scab-like dots on the skin.
• A professional will remove the numbing cream and apply a cooling gel to minimize the tingling and burning sensation whenever possible.

The procedure usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes to perform.

Recovery. Once the procedure is completed, you can expect the small dots to scab over and fall off after about one week. Over the next couple of weeks, as your skin heals, it should appear tighter and firmer. Some people may see benefits from one treatment, while others may require three treatments before they see results.