What is Plasmage?
Plasmage is a medical device made by the Italian manufacturer Brera Medical Technologies. It works with plasma: a tiny electric arc forms between the fine tip of the handpiece and the skin, without the tip touching the skin. At this spot the top layer of skin is vaporised with pinpoint accuracy. Nothing is cut and nothing is sutured.
The device delivers its energy in very short pulses, which the manufacturer calls fractional plasma. As a result, the heat stays confined to the treated point and the surrounding tissue is spared.
This achieves two things. Small, benign skin changes are removed layer by layer. And loose skin contracts under the heat and forms new collagen in the weeks that follow, so that it becomes firmer.
What does Dr. Özdemir treat with Plasmage?
Age spots. These brownish spots on the face, hands and décolleté are caused by years of sun exposure. The plasma removes the pigmented top layer of skin. Beneath it, new, more evenly coloured skin forms.
Skin tags (fibromas). Fibromas are small, soft skin growths, often on a stalk. They frequently occur on the neck, in the armpits or on the eyelids. They are harmless, but bother many people because they are visible or rub against clothing and jewellery. With Plasmage they are removed at the base.
Benign moles. Raised moles that are clearly harmless can be removed flat with plasma. This applies only to moles that are unremarkable after examination. The reason is explained in the next section.
Loose skin around the eyes. For a moderate excess of skin on the upper and lower eyelids, Dr. Özdemir places many small plasma points next to each other. The skin contracts at each point, fine lines smooth out and the eyelid looks firmer.
When is Plasmage not the right procedure?
For any mole that looks suspicious. Plasma destroys the tissue it removes. It can then no longer be examined in the laboratory. For this reason Dr. Özdemir looks closely at every skin change before treatment. If any doubt remains, the mole is not treated with plasma. It is then excised and examined histologically or first clarified by a dermatologist.
For a marked excess of skin on the eyelid. Plasmage tightens the skin, but it removes neither skin nor fatty tissue. If the eyelid skin rests on the eyelashes or if there are pronounced eye bags, the effect is not sufficient. In that case surgical upper eyelid lift is the better route. In the consultation, Dr. Özdemir will tell you openly what to expect in your case.
Treatment is also not carried out in people with dark skin types or on freshly tanned skin, because the risk of pigment spots is then considerably higher; during pregnancy and breastfeeding; with a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator; with inflammation or herpes in the treatment area; and with a known tendency to raised scars (keloids).
How does the treatment work?
Consultation and examination. The treatment begins with a conversation. Dr. Özdemir examines the areas of skin, discusses with you what can be achieved, and informs you about risks and costs. Small findings can be treated in the same appointment if you wish. For this, choose “Plasmage” under “Treatment” in the online booking.
Anaesthesia. The area is numbed locally with a fine needle. After that, you will generally feel nothing of the treatment.
Treatment. Dr. Özdemir works point by point with the handpiece. A single skin change is treated within a few minutes. The eyelid region of both eyes takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
Immediately afterwards. Small brownish dots or crusts can be seen on the skin. You go home without a dressing.
How does healing progress?
Crusts. The small crusts are the natural wound closure. They fall off by themselves after about 5 to 10 days. Please do not scratch or pick them off, otherwise scars and spots may develop.
Swelling. On the eyelids, swelling is normal in the first two to four days. It is usually most pronounced on the morning after the treatment. Cooling and sleeping with the upper body raised help.
Pink skin. Beneath the crusts, young, pink skin appears. Over the following weeks it blends in with the surrounding skin.
Sun protection. This is the most important factor for an even result: at least 12 months of consistent protection with sun protection factor 50, no sunbathing, no sunbeds. For this reason the treatment is best done in autumn or winter.
Care. Keep the area clean and dry. Make-up is only possible again once the crusts have fallen off. Please avoid saunas, swimming pools and strenuous exercise that makes you sweat for about two weeks.
What result can be expected?
Fibromas, age spots and moles are usually removed after one session. For larger findings a second session may be necessary. If a skin change extends deeper, it cannot be removed completely with plasma alone. The remainder is then excised surgically in a second step, once the Plasmage wound has healed.
The tightening on the eyelids builds up slowly. A first effect is visible immediately. The final result shows after about eight to twelve weeks, when the new collagen has formed. Often two to three sessions at intervals of at least six to eight weeks are sensible.
The skin continues to age. In experience, the tightening lasts for some years, but not for ever. Age spots can return with further sun exposure, and skin tags can develop again elsewhere.
What are the risks of the treatment?
Swelling, redness, crusts. These are part of every treatment and subside by themselves. On the eyelids the swelling can be clearly visible for a few days.
Pigment changes. The treated skin can heal darker or lighter than the surrounding skin. Darker spots usually fade over months; lighter areas may remain. The risk is higher with darker skin types and with sun exposure in the weeks after treatment.
Scars. Plasmage works superficially. A scar is therefore rare, but cannot be ruled out. This applies especially if crusts are picked off, if the wound becomes inflamed or if a mole extends deep.
Infection. Any wound can become inflamed. If redness increases or if there is pain or pus, please contact the practice immediately.
Persistent redness. The pink colour of the new skin can persist for several weeks, and in individual cases for months.
The result is not sufficient. A spot may become paler instead of disappearing. A mole may grow back. The tightening may be less than hoped for. In that case Dr. Özdemir will discuss with you whether a further session or a different procedure makes sense.
What alternatives are there?
Surgical removal. Moles and skin tags can also be excised. This leaves a fine scar, but allows the tissue to be examined. Whenever there is any doubt, this is the right route. More on this under skin tumour and mole removal.
Upper eyelid lift. For a marked excess of skin, the upper eyelid lift permanently removes the excess skin. It is an operation under local anaesthesia.
Chemical peel. For widespread pigment spots and fine lines, a chemical peel can be the better choice, because it treats the whole area evenly.
Doing nothing. Age spots, skin tags and harmless moles are not a medical problem. If they do not bother you, you do not need to do anything.
What does the treatment cost?
The Plasmage treatment costs €300 per zone. Dr. Özdemir determines at the examination how many zones will be treated in your case. You will receive an exact cost estimate in the consultation.
