One of the newest frontiers in the skin treatment industry, plasma treatments facilitate repair, regeneration and tightening. This works because skin plasma is fatal to bacteria while providing beneficial regenerative effects to human cells. Originally developed for medical applications, plasma emerged as an aesthetic treatment 10-15 years ago. More recently, it's been adopted for more mainstream uses.
Plasma is essentially an ionized gas with electrical energy that is used to stimulate the production of collagen and fibroblasts, which are the elements responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of connective tissues within the body.
Plasma is often referred to as “the fourth state of matter,” beyond solid, liquid and gas. Plasma is the highest energy state of matter. It occurs naturally, but also can be generated artificially. It is created when electrostatic energy mixes with an ionized gas. When the thermal energy ionizes with the surrounding gases it sends a bolt of energy into the skin inducing sublimation, gently vaporizing and shrinking the skin’s fibers. This process aids in skin rejuvenation and makes it an effective tool for non-invasive procedures by also helping temporarily seal the skin, reducing risk of infection.
Warm plasma and cold plasma technologies
There are different kinds of plasma treatments. Warm (thermal) plasma is a revolutionary non-invasive treatment great for improved face and body skin texture, tone and clarity. This gentle yet effective treatment targets the epidermal and superficial dermal layers with controlled micro-injuries, promoting shrinkage of skin fibers using the power of the thermal plasma arc. This causes the skin to tighten and produce collagen over the weeks that follow. It can be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, sunspots and hyperpigmentation, acne scars and other scarring, uneven texture and dull skin, stretchmarks, crepey skin, minimize pores, improve eczema and psoriasis healing. There is minimal to no discomfort and minimal downtime.
What is this procedure like? For warm plasma, your skin will first be cleansed and then a numbing cream applied that will sit for 30 minutes. Once the area is numb, warm plasma treatment will begin. It will then be completed with cold plasma to soothe the skin and speedup healing time. Skin will look red and tight for the first 1-3 hours post treatment, similar to a sunburn. Flat freckle-like tiny scabs will appear day 1 or 2 and will fall off by day 5-7. Warm plasma treatments typically require 1-3 sessions with 6-8 weeks between each treatment.
Cold (non-thermal) plasma is the newest plasma treatment incorporating non-thermal plasma technologies. It’s great for strengthening hair roots and stimulating hair growth, treating active acne, relieving skin inflammation and irritation, decreasing or eliminating body odor, treating nail fungus and athlete's foot, stimulating collagen production, increasing product absorption with antimicrobial effects. It is non-invasive and painless with zero downtime.
What is this procedure like? Cold plasma does not require numbing cream. Skin is cleansed and immediately treated with cold plasma. Following the treatment, a mask is applied and then LED light therapy for approximately 20 minutes. The mask and light therapy are chosen depending on what skin issue is being treated. Cold plasma treatments are typically once a week for 4-8 weeks; however, each treatment plan will be individualized, some are longer and some are shorter.
That’s just a quick primer about the newest range of services offered at Bliss, provided by Jessica Gomez, R.N. Before any of these treatments, you’ll have a complimentary consultation with Jessica to confirm appropriateness and discuss which treatment options are best for you. Follow her on Instagram @ivnurse_jessica.
Bliss is proud to offer these new services along with our existing Bliss menu with all kinds of self-care! During the sweet month of February, try one of our specials: a 75-minute Swedish Massage with Strawberry & Green Tea Scrub, a Healthy Glow Facial or a Spray Tan! Call us at 562-439-4333 or visit www.blissonbroadway.com.