The use of plasma technology is a relatively new area in cosmetics and is still not completely clear. The first devices, which have emerged as an alternative to laser rejuvenation, but recent studies show that the possibility of using the plasma is much wider.
In order to understand what are the benefits of using plasma technologies, let's first understand what is a plasma. Plasma is a gas which, unlike stable gases familiar to us, is not only neutral molecules but also includes charged particles — free electrons and positive and negative ions (and in some cases contains only those charged particles).
There are 2 types of plasma:
Plasma is the source:
Special effects in conjunction with the tissues-objectives will depend on the type of the applied plasma dose, the flow, pressure, exposure time (parameters that can be affected through the change of the device), and the properties of the fabric itself.
The original medicinal product is adopted the thermal effects of plasma. Thus, high-speed plasma flow was generated by exposing the inert gases electric current of great power, known as the plasma knife is used to cut and remove tissue. The ability of the plasma to the heating of the tissue (although less of course), which has become the Cornerstone of its use in cosmetics.
But, I have to say that in recent years, more attention is attracted by the technology of cold plasma low temperature (35-40oC), which allows us to achieve therapeutic effects without damaging the living tissue.
Currently, the ability to use the ability of cold temperatures and plasma, to generate free radicals and ultraviolet radiation for the disinfection of human skin, as well as for the treatment of wounds. Such an effect allows you to kill antibiotic-resistant microbes (particularly in nosocomial infections), without damaging the skin itself. The antimicrobial activity of the plasma is found not only in laboratory animals, but also in randomized controlled human studies: treatment of the wound, for two minutes using cold argon plasma promoted a significant decrease in both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria in the wounds.
In addition, it was found that treatment of the wound, the cold, the low temperature plasma accelerates healing them. Recent work, published in the journal Scientific Reports, showed that such a plasma and promotes the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes through the activation of β-catenin-signalling pathways and inhibiting E-cadherin, which is responsible for contact inhibition of cell growth. In mice, the wound, which was treated with low temperature plasma, after 15 days it was a nearly complete regeneration of the epidermis and muscle tissue, as well as the high density of collagen fibers, while in the wounds, the healing of course, these processes were much slower.
Recent studies have also shown that the cold plasma leads to a temporary reduction in the barrier function of the stratum corneum and increases permeability of skin to drugs, medicines and cosmetics. It is assumed that this is due to the rearrangement of the lipid bilayers under the action of plasma and the creation of temporary channels to facilitate the passage of various substances.
At the beginning of the era of plasma technology in cosmetics is associated with the thermal effects of plasma. Thus, plasma rejuvenation methods based on controlled tissue damage for the beginning of regenerative processes and the translation of tissue. This principle is the primary and other methods of rejuvenating your hardware, however, in the case of the use of plasma, which has its own characteristics.
The Pioneer plasma rejuvenation is a technique of the plasma skin regeneration (Plasma Skin Regeneration, PSR), which appeared in 2006 as the plasma-forming gas, which has been proposed for the use of nitrogen — an inert gas that can displace oxygen required for the oxidation and burning on the surface of the skin, and thereby reduce the risk of burns and scars.
Under the influence of high frequency electric current in the handle of the device ionization of nitrogen molecules and forms plasma that is delivered to the skin in a contactless manner in the form of short pulses (e.g. contactless method of treatment that allows the skin to quickly cool down and eliminates risk of burns from parts of the device). That is, in fact, plasma is the "carrier" of electric energy.
When the plasma hits the skin, its energy is quickly distributed over the surface and provides a gradient heating of the skin — the epidermis first, and then (depending on energy level), the dermis with the formation of the surface zone of irreversible thermal damage, and a deeper zone of thermal changes.
It is important that in contrast to lasers, plasma, which does not require the presence of chromophores in the skin, so heating of the tissue progresses uniformly, without explosive vaporizations of the tissues. Old damaged layers of the epidermis, which serves as a "protective biological dressing" basic cells and remain in place until the newly formed, and then gradually dies. Moreover, it allows to treat the skin of all phototypes and reduces the risk of side effects, such as scarring, infection and depigmentation. Also in the case of high-energy impact of deepithelization is quick and is usually completed within 5-7 days after the procedure.
The processes occurring in contact with the skin layer, the more. Immediately after treatment, there was recovery of collagen fibres (in areas where the heating temperature exceeds 60oC) and response to heat shock, then the gradual destruction of the damaged structures and the de-activation of neocollagenesis and neoelastogenesis. Procedures for transformation into the dermis for at least 3 months after the treatment.
Another use of the special properties of the plasma for the implementation of anti-aging procedures, which is the fractional plasma RF technology, which was introduced in the year 2010
Special tips of the manipulator (in the form of movable rollers or a flat stationary nozzles), a plurality of the needle electrodes (spicules). When approaching the surface of the skin for a few micrometers a powerful radio-frequency electric discharge passing through the electrodes, creating a flash of plasma (plasma level of high density).
These flashes "blow" the epidermis and upper dermis layers, which form channels, surrounded by a zone of thermal injury. Upon further rotation of the ball (or pressing a stationary nozzle) spicules are compressed in this area ablation, provide additional mechanical impact.
The depth and size of the damage, which is determined by the energy and pulse duration (according to the research on the skin of pigs, wells ablation can achieve 50-200 mm in depth and 80-200 µm in diameter, and the area of coagulation is spread even 100-200 µm around them). Epithelialization is completed within 3-4 days, the process of transformation in the dermis can last up to 6 months.
Fractional RF plasma-treatment is recommended for correction of age changes (wrinkles, sagging skin, etc) and even out skin tone and reduce scarring. In addition, the speed of the procedure (average of 10 min for 5 passes on my face), which allows the use of rollers for the processing of large areas of skin for example the abdomen.
What are the characteristics of the plasma rejuvenation in comparison with the laser, the alternative to which it was originally created?
Unlike lasers, plasma, that can be used on all skin phototypes. Hyperpigmentation, which may occur following procedures, in General, it occurs less often than in the case of the laser processing. Also significantly reduce the risk of infection and scarring.
Prove that2-lasers provide a more uniform depth and diameter of the damage, while in the case of the use of plasma, these sizes may differ. In addition, lasers provide a more powerful effect as the plasma. However, it is more than surface effects of the plasma treatment may be one of the reasons, the lower the risk for inflammation hyperpigmentation.
Depending on the efficiency of the procedures has been carried out on the direct comparison of the plasma fractional RF and fractional technology With2laser for removing acne scars. On one side of the face of the patients (there were 33 people with III and IV skin types) processed with plasma, another laser, 3 treatments each. The depth of the damage in the first case ranged from 120 to 150 microns and a diameter of 150-180 µm were. Fractional With2-laser-caused the damage with a depth of 300-400 microns and a diameter of 100-120 microns. The area of the thermal damage around the ablation pit was wider in the case of plasma.
Both methods are almost equivalent and significantly reduced the severity of the acne scars — from 51.1 ± 14.2 to 22,3 ± to 8.6 in the case of plasma (improvement of 56.4%) and from 48.8 ± of 15.1 to 19.9 ± 7.9, and for co2-laser (improvement of 59.2%), on a scale of ESSA. At the same time in response to the laser treatment in 12 patients (36,4%) developed post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and plasma treatment complications were recorded.
So, plasma, which allows you to fight pigmentation, even out texture and skin tone and, in fact, is the same non-ablative lasers. High-energy plasma, in turn, helps in the fight against more serious deficiencies, such as wrinkles, reduced elasticity and firmness, as well as pitted acne scars and stretch marks, but the depth of impact is limited to the upper layers of the dermis (in the case of lasers, the depth of the thermal zones can be more than 1 mm).
Although plasma rejuvenation brings a lower risk of side effects and requires less recovery time, the effectiveness of ablative lasers even higher. However, these procedures may be the procedures of choice in patients with dark skin types because they significantly reduce the risk of inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
In addition, the technology of the use of plasma for development, and now it appears a larger number of promising devices with new properties, which allow them to get away from the comparison with the "younger brother" lasers and occupy a separate niche.
The main difference between the serious professional plasma welding machines from portable devices for home and salon use, is to control the depth and degree of damage to the skin. This is an extremely important aspect that allows to obtain predictable results and reduce the risk of side effects.
The number of new devices that take advantage of the capabilities of the plasma is increasing each year. There are even portable devices that use the energy of the plasma in the salon and at home. However, it should be noted that the means of influence, in which there is no possibility to change neither the strength, nor the depth, nor the processing time, which raises questions about their effectiveness and safety.
At the same time the developers of the professional machines, conversely, focus their efforts on improving the devices and creating a more under the control of the technology for obtaining the expected and stable results.
Interest in plasma technology is growing — is confirmed by the large number of devices that appear on the market in recent years. Plasma rejuvenation provides softer impact than ablative lasers, however, are accompanied by fewer side effects and has become more manageable. An additional advantage is the possibility to use plasma for the treatment of dark skin phototypes.
In addition, there are also cosmetic of the device generating the low temperature of the cold plasma, which significantly increases the options for the use of plasma technologies and suggests their greater popularity in the future.