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Plasma: Groundbreaking Skin Rejuvenation

Written by THEA Home Beauty | Feb 26, 2023 5:10:00 AM

The latest buzzword in skin rejuvenation technology, Plasma is making waves as an innovative anti-aging technology to repair, regenerate and tighten skin. While there are infinite aesthetic procedures for skin rejuvenation nowadays, plasma is revered for its unique anti-bacterial effects in addition to visibly improving skin conditions and signs of aging. According to the latest cell biology research conducted by Munich University, plasma is fatal to bacteria while providing beneficial regenerative effects to human cells. Essentially, plasma is an ionized gas with electrical energy that is used to stimulate the production of collagen and fibroblasts, which are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of connective tissues within the body. At the surface level, anti-microbial plasma is able to break bacterial molecular structures, killing germs responsible for acne, eczema, rosacea and other skin problems.


 

Why we chose it:

While there is a lot of complicated jargon surrounding plasma technology in cosmetic science, the results are straightforward wide-ranging. We picked cold plasma because of the following reasons:

  • A true game-changer for improving overall skin health 
  • It ionizes free radicals on the skin caused by everyday pollutants such as smog and cigarette smoke. Kills harmful bacteria on the surface of the skin.
  • Plasma act as a door opener for your other skincare ingredients to better penetrate the skin
  • It can be incorporated easily and safely into your daily skincare routine at home.

If you didn’t know already, now you do – plasma is the future of skin rejuvenation, and it’s time to explore the full scope of its power.


 

What is Plasma?

Other than making up a cool 99.999% of the universe (including the sun and stars), plasma is considered the fourth state of matter following solids, liquids and gases. Invisible to the naked eye, plasma is formed by superheating or exerting a strong magnetic field to everyday environmental gasses.

To break the process down, gas atoms undergo an ionization process by being converted into charged ions and free electrons. The resulting flow of plasma energy is delivered to the skin, providing multiple regenerative healing effects to the surface, epidermis and dermis layers of skin.

 

 

Effects & benefits of ablative vs non-ablative Plasma

Ablative hot plasma treatments are a soft surgery method for skin resurfacing and treating aged skin, an alternative to more invasive eyelid reconstruction and face lift surgeries. While results are measurable, ablative procedures are typically painful and require more downtime, with visible initial skin markings that scab and fall away within a few days. For this procedure, plasma energy is generated between the device tip and the skin, creating a small electrical arc (plasma arc) that zaps a tiny section on the skin surface. The skin fibers contract, tighten and shorten, effectively removing excess skin and resurfacing aged or problem areas without the cutting or stitching required in a traditional surgery.

 

Benefits of ablative hot plasma treatment:

      1. Removal of excess skin
      2. Visible skin tightening
      3. Reduction of pigmentation
      4. Reduction of wrinkles
      5. Reduction of scarring
      6. Removal of skin tags and warts

Non-ablative cold plasma treatments are the emerging trend for non-invasive and painless plasma-based skin rejuvenation. Aside from reducing the risk of side effects and downtime associated with ablative treatments, non-ablative plasma treatments use controlled plasma-containing energy to targeted skin areas without damaging it. The generated energy, or activated ionized gas, is emitted to the dermis skin layer in micro-pulses, triggering the body’s wound-healing response to promote new collagen growth.

 

Benefits of non-ablative cold plasma treatment:

  1. Reduced surface-level skin bacteria & harmful microbes

In a past breakthrough experiment, a mere 2-minute treatment of cold atmospheric plasma was seen to decrease 40% of the bacterial load in plasma-treated wounds, regardless of the species of bacteria. Plasma energy destroys the cell membrane, DNA and protein of pore-dwelling bacteria that causes common skin problems such as acne, allergic dermatitis, and eczema.

  1. Increased absorption of vital skincare ingredients

Plasma technology instantly activates the epidermal cells of the skin with high amounts of energy, which increases the skin’s hydrophilicity – in other words, the ability to absorb water. This means water-soluble substances such as molecules of vitamin B, vitamin C and various peptides are more likely to be absorbed through the skin.

  1. Visible anti-aging results

Active nitrogen and oxygen ions can easily pass through pores and enter the deeper layers of skin, catalyzing the regeneration of fibroblasts. This stimulates the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, effectively reducing fine lines and wrinkles caused by photodamage and aging. Additionally, plasma technology boosts cell turnover to strengthen skin elasticity, and to improve uneven skin tones and pigmentation.

The best thing about non-ablative cold plasma technology is that it benefits every skin type and condition. The innovative treatment can be done safely, comfortably and painlessly in the comforts of home, without any downtime required.

 

Related: Overall of all Anti-aging Beauty Treatments

 

Plasma vs HIFU, LED, RF

When it comes to beauty technology for anti-aging, skin tightening and rejuvenation, we’re spoilt for choice. What really sets plasma technology apart from other existing hi-tech beauty remedies like HIFU, LED Light Therapy and RF?

For starters, each technology uses a highly different method to stimulate skin rejuvenation. For example, plasma treatments use ionized environmental gasses to generate heat and produce surface-level anti-aging and anti-bacterial benefits, while HIFU uses high-intensity ultrasound energy waves to heat targeted areas deep in the dermis.

Below is a breakdown of some of the other non-invasive, FDA-approved and relatively painless procedures for achieving youthful, glowing and elastic skin:

 

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) – “The Lifting Tool”

  • Uses high-intensity focused ultrasound energy waves, applied in short pulses
  • Deep penetration into the skin, going beyond surface, epidermis and dermis layers to reach SMAS (muscle) layer 3-4.5mm below the skin
  • Thermal energy heats cells in targeted area to cause cellular damage, causing tissue to contract and tighten while stimulating cells to produce more collagen
  • Intense and precise fractional ultrasound energy delivery
  • Results in tighter, firmer skin giving a “lifted” appearance with fewer wrinkles
  • Effects develop over 3 months, with single treatment results lasting around 1 year

Radiofrequency (RF) – “The Contour Refiner”

  • Uses radiofrequency waves that converts energy from radio to heat of around 38-40 degrees
  • Heats tissue with focus on more surface epidermal layers to stimulate natural production of collagen
  • Bulk heating method, rather than precise targets
  • Immediate tightening of collagen fibers and increased volume, which naturally reduces fine lines and wrinkles
  • Results continue to develop over the next 4 weeks
  • Comfortable and painless

 

LED Light Therapy – “The Complexion Saver”

  • Uses color wavelengths of UV-free cold light that hits different depths in skin to stimulate skin rejuvenation & improvement of common problematic skin conditions
  • Blue LED (415nm) destroys p-acne bacteria & minimizes redness
  • Green LED (520nm) regulates melanin production, reduces pigmentation, and reduces redness
  • Yellow LED (580nm) activates toxin elimination, improves decongestion, and stimulates lymphocyte production
  • Red LED (630nm) increases collagen production, restores cell function, and provides essential energy for cellular renewal
  • Near infrared (830nm) penetrates the deepest level for anti-inflammation, wound-healing and cellular reproduction / repair
  • Requires up to 10 sessions or more for visible and long-lasting results