Fibroblast Skin Tightening

WHAT TREATMENT IS THIS? 

This amazingly simple Skin Tightening Treatment uses advanced plasma technology that allows for a quick, non-surgical, non-invasive treatment. Depending on the lifestyle the result can last up to 3 years. It is a fantastic solution for clients who do not want invasive surgery but are wanting long-lasting outstanding results without spending big dollars! This is one of our most sought after treatments. Actually shrinks excess skin bags and wrinkles on face, neck and body Simple enhancement or stunning transformation

BENEFITS? 

• Eyelid Lifting/Tightening

• Wrinkle Reduction

• Neck Tightening

• Upper Lip Wrinkles, Nasolabial Folds & Marionette Lines

Stretch Marks & Scars

Reduces stretch marks

Remove skin lesions

Long-Lasting

Tired, hooded and puffy eyes

✔ No scalpels

✔ No stitches

✔ No botox or fillers

✔ Minimal risk and side effects

✔ Quick and easy procedures

✔ Return to work the same day

 
RISKS?
Swelling is normal and expected. It is part of the recovery process after this controlled skin treatment. It is a natural side effect. This treatment is an exceptionally safe procedure with virtually no side effects. Possible side effects are inflammation, minor swelling, scarring or minor change in skin pigmentation, which is very rare. It is highly important for each patient to follow the instructions for aftercare closely. 

Possible but rare risks/side effects may include: 

• second and third degree burns
• infection
• change in skin color - pigmentation can be removed via treatments and faded over time. 
• scarring
• nerve damage
• significant bleeding
• air or gas accumulation under the skin, in body cavities, or in blood vessels

TREATMENT PLAN? 

12 Weeks apart  - Typically 2-5 years, but is subject to the number of treatments you may require, your lifestyle and ageing process. You will age as you would otherwise and your skin will continue to relax as part of the ageing process. The effects should last as long as they would with invasive surgery. The results can last you years depending on the area treated. The positive effects of treatment will be noticeable immediately after the first treatment (depending on area) but the best results will be seen after 4 - 12 weeks. 

RECOVERY TIME?

As the treatment progresses over your chosen area you may feel mild zaps as the plasma arcs from the applicator tip to the skin. The treatment length varies based on the area treated. You may experience redness 1- 3 days after the treatment and swelling may also occur. After 5-7 days, the small carbon scabs will have fallen off. Slight redness is no longer visible after 3 weeks at the latest. Pigmentation may occur and can last for a few weeks. 

Following the treatment, you can expect swelling, redness and small brown spots known as carbon crusts. These will scab over the next few days with the scabs expected to fall off by day 7. It is imperative that you follow the provided aftercare protocol and do not pick at the carbon crusts

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HOW COMFORTABLE IS THIS TREATMENT? 

Approximately 1 to 2 hours depending on the area to be treated, longer if additional areas are done and also allow time for for the topical anaesthetic to work and consent forms to be completed. Sessions last around 30 minutes per area treated.

PRE TREATMENT

Contact lenses must be removed when performing treatment on the upper eyelids. Skin should not be inflamed in the area we are treating prior to procedure. If you have a sunburn/suntan, the treatment should be postponed for up to 8 weeks or until tan/burn signs disappear. Eyelash extensions receiving upper or lower eyelid treatment MUST have lashes removed prior to treatment, they can be reapplied after 8 weeks.

Refrain from using topical agents that may increase sensitivity of the skin 2 -3 days before treatment. These products include Retinoids, Exfoliants and/or exfoliating devices, Salicylic washes and toners, products containing AHA and BHA’s, and Hydroquinone.

Depending on laxity and desired results, you may want to have multiple treatments on the same area.  Areas may be treated every 3 months to let the collagen heal and turn over.

• No Retin-A products or applications 10 days prior to your treatment.
• No Accutane or any medication for the same purpose within the past 6 month.
• No autoimmune therapies 12 hours prior to your treatment.
• No blood thinners.
• On the day of the treatment, please keep your face clean and do not apply makeup.
• Avoid botox or fillers for at least 2 to 3 weeks before your treatment.
• You may receive botox or fillers straight after.
• Avoid any other type of procedures for 3 month on the same area which you intend to have treated with this treatment , such as laser therapy or chemical peels as this may prevent your treatment being performed.
• Waxing and/or use of chemical depilatories must be avoided for 2 weeks prior and after treatment. Shaving is allowed immediately before treatment and 48-72 hours after treatment, as long as there is no skin irritation
• Use SPF-30 to prep your skin for 2 to 4 weeks before your treatment, especially if you are naturally darker skinned.

POST TREATMENT AFTER CARE

• Be patient, the healing part is a process. Take time to rest, sleep and heal.
• Oedema (swelling) may also occur. Sleeping on 2 pillows with your head elevated helps.
• Don’t use ice directly on skin.
• Apply a fine layer of Vaseline ointment (or topical advised by your specialist) to treated areas several times a day if needed to maintain continuous layer on skin for the first 2 days. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands prior to touching your face.
• CLEANING THE SKIN: Until the scabs come off, you may on directions of your doctor soak the treated area with a clean soft cloth. 
• Do not apply ANY other creams, ointments or products of any kind on face until you are told it is ok to do so. (Face related only) 
• Do not pick the scabs off. Let them come off on their own. You will increase risk of infection and scarring if you pick the scabs. Let them exfoliate on their own, and again as mentioned slight temp pigmentation may occur
• Do not expose your skin to the sun or tanning beds. remember UVA light passes through house and car windows. Use of sunscreen with SPF 50 is crucial to maintain results and help prevent post inflammatory pigmentation (darker areas)
• It is ok to shower but do not let the shampoo or hair products get on your face.
• Panadol may be used if needed
• If you experience itching, an over the counter antihistamine may be helpful

You may resume most activities immediately after any treatment( with the exception of high intensity cardio),  but you may not look your best during the healing process.  Clients usually have 4 - 10 days of dots (5 - 7 days of dots on average), usually followed by some redness that will gradually diminish.  Depending on your where your treatment is and your desired level of privacy, you may want to minimize in-person appointments until your dots fall (approximately a week). 

• Do not pick scabs! Removing the scabs prematurely may result in scarring and discoloration. Allow scabs to come off on their own. This will ensure the best possible result and avoid scarring, hyperpigmentation and infection. If you feel the scabs are accidentally being rubbed off prematurely, then protect them with by covering them with Aquaphor to prevent falling off too early. The longer the scabs stay put the longer the skin has a chance to heal itself with the protection of the scab.
• Keep the treated area clean using a mild, unscented, alcohol free cleanser. PAT DRY- KEEP DRY! 
  
•  anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine medicines can also help with swelling in the early healing phases.
  
• Do not apply makeup (even mineral makeup) until the scabbing has fallen off completely. This is to avoid infection or disrupting the scabs prematurely.
  
• IMPORTANT! Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds to the treated area. Once the scabbing process is complete, always apply broad spectrum SPF 50 or higher to the area for a minimum of 3 months after your last treatment. This skin is still healing and can easily become damaged by any UV rays and may cause hyperpigmentation and/or premature aging.
  
• Dry healing is preferred but if your scabs become unbearably itchy, then you may safely apply the post treatment balm I provide up to three times per day to help manage itchy sensation. Icing also helps manage itchiness.
  
• Taking collagen, vitamin c and L-lysine supplements over the course of your healing process can give your immune system and collagen production a boost. 
  
• Avoid smoking.
  
• Avoid shaving over any area that has been treated until the skin has fully healed.
  
• Exercising right after a treatment is not recommended because any heat, steam or sweat can add to inflammation. Do not use any pools, hot tubs or saunas until after the dots have fallen off and your skin returns to a more normal state.
  
• After the dots have fallen off on their own , you may use makeup to cover any redness. If your skin is ready and not too tender, using a gentle enzyme exfoliant can help to create a smoother surface from the peeling that is typical at this stage of healing.
  
• Do not use anything harsh on your skin (like acids, peels or physical exfoliants) until you have reached the 8 weeks post treatment healing point. Use common sense, if it doesn’t feel good, then don’t do it.
  
  

STAGES OF HEALING

Day 1:  Try to lay propped up with pillows. Some discomfort is normal. The swelling will likely be worse in the mornings and lessen towards the evening. If you have had eye treatments, you may find it difficult to open your eyes the following morning, however it will subside throughout the day. It will feel like a bad sunburn.

Day 2:  The swelling typically peaks by day 2. Swelling can also spread to the under eye area, DON’T PANIC, this is perfectly normal. The upper and lower eye are all connected, therefore the fluids from the upper eye will drain to the lower eye area. This too shall pass. 

Day 3:  You may notice an improvement in the swelling and the “dots” will start to crust/scab over. The scabs must not be picked, allow them to fall off on their own. Your level of discomfort will have subsided a bit. For those who experienced the under eye swelling, this will still be present.

Day 4:  Some mild residual swelling may still be present on the upper eyelids. Discomfort should diminish. 

Day 5:  Swelling should be complete and scabs may still be present. Use Aquaphor to protect if scabs are accidentally getting rubbed off prematurely.

Days 6 - 10:  You are patiently waiting for the remaining scabs to fall off on their own.  It is normal for the new skin under the scabs to be pink or red and peeling as the healing process continues. 

Weeks 2 - 8:  After scabs fall off, you may have tender, peeling or textured skin for a few days or weeks.  Once your skin is no longer tender, you  may safety use a non-physical, gentle, enzyme exfoliant to slough off peeling skin. After scabs fall off,  you may also use healing serums, lotions and make up.  Each day, your skin will progressively return to its’ original coloration and texture.  

Remember it will take 12 weeks for healing process to cycle through completely and for skin to be refreshed and for healing to complete. (You may continue to see results for up to 6 months.)

Depending on laxity and desired results, you may want to have multiple treatments on the same area.  Areas may be treated every 3 months to let the collagen heal and turn over.

CONTRAINIDICATIONS

A good candidate must not be prone to keloid scars, have diabetes, a healing disorder, lymphatic draining issues, history of hyperpigmentation, wear a pacemaker, be pregnant or be breastfeeding. 

This treatment is only recommended on light-medium dark skin tones (FitzPatrick Scale 1-3 and sometimes 4/5). If you are a number 3/4/5, you may be more prone to hyper-pigmentation, which isn’t necessarily permanent. People with number 3, 4 and 5 complexions are recommended to get a patch test in desired treatment area(s) to see how your skin responds. Anyone with a darker complexion (6) is at risk for hyperpigmentation. Regardless of your FitzPatrick Skin Type or if you are not sure if you are prone to hyperpigmentation, a patch test is recommended  for everyone as hyperpigmentation and/or texture can be a risk for everyone.