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Rhytec Portrait Plasma Skin Regeneration

Rhytec Portrait Plasma Skin Rejuvenation (PSR) a novel device for the treatment of wrinkles, pigmentation, acne scarring, & sun damage

Quick Facts

Plasma skin regeneration uses pulses of plasma energy created by ionised nitrogen gas to induce changes in the skin
It can be used to treat wrinkles, skin pigmentation, sun damage, and acne scarring
Plasma energy remodels the skin and stimulates new collagen and elastin production
It can be performed as one single high energy treatment, or a series of low energy treatments
High energy treatments require 7-14 days recovery, and low energy treatments require 5-7 days recovery

What is plasma skin regeneration?

Plasma skin regeneration (PSR) is the latest technique in resurfacing and rejuvenating skin. Unlike lasers which use light energy to target a specific component of the skin such as water, haemoglobin (blood), or melanin (skin pigment), PSR uses pulses of ionised inert nitrogen gas to alter structures below the surface of the skin, creating unique conditions for continuing regeneration and improvement in wrinkles, acne scarring, skin texture, tone, and pigmentation. This technique preserves the skin's outer layers, which act as a protective 'biological dressing' until new skin regenerates. Working below the surface of the skin, PSR creates the right conditions and natural growth factors for generating new skin and creating new collagen for continuous improvement in wrinkles, acne scars, skin tone and texture. It is TGA approved for these purposes. Clinical studies show continued improvements for as long as a year after treatment.

For more general information on skin resurfacing, click here.

Feature Article: The Emergence of Rejuvenated Skin Cosmetic Surgery Magazine (May-July 2007)

Dr Gavin Chan discusses the reduction of wrinkles using Portrait Plasma, a non-invasive skin regeneration machine. Click here to download the article.

How does plasma skin regeneration work?

Plasma skin regeneration involves the use of molecular nitrogen that is stimulated by an electric field produced by radio frequency energy to form ionised plasma. Plasma then flushes oxygen from the treatment area, which thermally stimulates the treated area without causing any actual 'burn'. Unlike traditional laser resurfacing or deep chemical peels, the skin remains in place and acts as a biological dressing for the treated area. This reduces the post-treatment care significantly by not creating an open wound that decreases the risk of infection and scarring.

Plasma skin regeneration treatments strongly stimulate new collagen and elastin production within the skin, and this induces changes to help reverse wrinkles, sun damage, acne scars, and excessive skin pigmentation.

What can be treated?

The most common problems that are treated are;

sun damage - usually a full face treatment
wrinkles - a spot treatment can be performed around the eyes and mouth, or a full face treatment can be performed
pigmentation - usually superficial pigmentation only treated (not hormonal pigmentation such as melasma/cholasma)
acne scarring - a full face or spot treatment can be performed.
skin tightening - there is new collagen formation and skin tightening as a result. Particularly effective around the eyes.

Not only can the face be treated, but the neck and hands can also be treated. Lower energy levels are used for the hands and neck as the skin here is usually finer than the face.

The following video is a demonstration of plasma skin regeneration treatment performed by Dr. Tess Przekwas and Dr. Gavin Chan at The Victorian Cosmetic Institute. The patient is a nurse at The Victorian Cosmetic Institute.

Am I a suitable candidate for PSR?

Plasma skin rejuvenation is suitable for skin affected by sun damage, wrinkles (especially around the eyes), acne scarring, and superficial pigmentation. It is also excellent for tightening skin. It does not treat active acne, capillaries, rosacea, or deep hormonal pigmentation. These conditions are best treated with the other lasers found at The Victorian Cosmetic Institute.

It can be used to treat most skin types although those with darker skin types may not be suitable.

It is not advisable for those who are pregnant, breast feeding, immunodeficient, or have had treatment with Roaccutane in the past year. A history of keloid (thick/raised) scarring is also a contraindication.

Case Study

This lady in her fifties presented to The Victorian Cosmetic Institute with concerns about her skin. She had some sun damage and mild wrinkling. She was treated with PSR, firstly passing over the full face with 3.0 joules and then double passing over the wrinkled areas with 3.5 joules. The recovery time was 1 week.

The after photo shows the result 7 months later.

Portrait plasma case study - After Portrait plasma case study - Before

Diaries of our patients

Click here to view Diary of Patient 1 following plasma skin regeneration treatment.

Click here to view Diary of Patient 2 following plasma skin regeneration treatment.

Before and After Gallery

View our Rhytec Portrait Plasma before and after gallery. View our Rhytec Portrait Plasma before and after gallery.

What precautions do I need to take before treatment?

Sunscreen should be used for at least 2 weeks prior to treatment, and sun exposure should be avoided before and after the treatment.

Anti-viral medication may be prescribed if you have past history of cold sores. Your doctor may prescribe these to you even if you don't have a history of cold sores. For high energy treatments, your doctor may also prescribe you a course of antibiotics.

What does treatment involve?

High energy treatments: You will generally need to spend half a day at The Victorian Cosmetic Institute. Anaesthetic cream is applied for around 2 hours prior to treatment, under glad-wrap. This numbs the face for the procedure. Usually, intravenous sedation is given for the procedure so that you will be comfortable. In addition, anaesthetic nerve block injections are given to help numb the face further. Most people tolerate the procedure well with the above preparation.

The face is divided into sections with a marker, and each section is systematically covered with the plasma pulses. Usually treatment takes around 45 minutes for a full face and 10 - 15 minute for peri-oral (around mouth) or peri-orbital (around eyes) only.

After treatment, your face may appear very red and sun burnt. We usually allow you to rest for an hour or two before leaving to let the effects of the sedation wear off.

Low energy treatments: For low energy treatments the treatment is similar except no sedation is required. For low energy treatments, only anaesthetic cream is required rather than injections. The overall treatment is of much lesser intensity and generally takes much less time to recover from.

What happens after treatment?

High energy treatments: For high energy treatments, your face will appear red and swollen immediately after treatment. You may feel a lot of heat energy in the treated area for the first day. You will not be able to wash your face for the first 24 hours after treatment. Over the next 5 to 7 days, the treated areas will then bronze and eventually peel. Cosmedix Rescue Balm is usually applied to the face twice a day until the peeling process is complete. It is very important that you treat your face very delicately for at least 10 days. A mineral make-up can be worn after 10 days. You will also need to use diluted vinegar (1 teaspoon of white vinegar in 200mL of water) to dab or spray on your face to reduce any itchiness that might be present for high energy treatments. The total downtime for a high energy treatment is 7-14 days. There also may be some residual redness after a high energy treatment for approximately one month.

Low energy treatments: For low energy treatments, there is significantly less recovery required. The face appears only mildly red and swollen post-procedure. Some peeling occurs after 4-5 days, and mineral make-up can be worn after this time.

For all treatments, sun protection is essential after treatment. Daily sunscreen use is important, and direct sunlight should be avoided.

The total downtime for a low energy treatment is about 5-7 days, whereas the downtime for a higher energy treatment is around 2 weeks. This is the period of time which it takes the skin to return to relative normality.

Are the results permanent?

The results gained from PSR treatments are permanent. Your skin will still be exposed to the environment and will be subject to the effects of the sun and gravity. It does not stop the ageing process, but helps in reversing any skin damage, wrinkles, pigmentation, and acne scarring present.

How much does plasma skin regeneration cost?

The cost of plasma skin regeneration depends on the energy level used and the area treated. A full face, high energy treatment costs $6500. A full face, low energy treatment costs $2500, $2000, and $1500 for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd/subsequent sessions respectively. Usually 3 low energy treatments or 1 high energy treatment are required. Regional treatments of the eye area or upper lip area cost $1950 each at high energy. All prices are inclusive of GST.

High energy treatments
Full face high energy plasma skin resurfacing. Inclusive of sedation, full face local anaesthetic infiltration, limosine transfer to and from home	6500
High energy Peri-oral (around the mouth) plasma resurfacing. Not inclusive of sedation or transport	1950
High energy Peri-orbital (around the eyes) plasma resurfacing. Not inclusive of sedation or transport	1950
High energy peri-orbital and peri-oral plasma resurfacing. Not inclusive of sedation or transport	2950
High energy forehead plasma resurfacing. Not inclusive of sedation or transport	1950
High energy cheek & nose plasma resurfacing. Does not include crows feet or upper lip. Not inclusive of sedation or transport.	3500
Low energy treatments
Low level* plasma skin regeneration of full face. Not inclusive of sedation or transport. For 1st, 2nd and 3rd/subsequent treatments respectively	2500 , 2000, 1500
Low level* plasma skin regeneration of perioral area. Not inclusive of sedation or transport. For 1st, 2nd and 3rd/subsequent treatments respectively	1200, 1000, 800
Low level* plasma skin regeneration of periorbital area. Not inclusive of sedation or transport. For 1st, 2nd and 3rd/subsequent treatments respectively	1200, 1000, 800
Low level* plasma skin regeneration of cheeks. Not inclusive of sedation or transport. For 1st, 2nd and 3rd/subsequent treatments respectively	2150, 1750, 1350
Low level* Fractional carbon dioxide laser - Active Fx or Deep Fx (but not Total Fx) of neck only. Not inclusive of sedation or transport. For 1st, 2nd and 3rd/subsequent treatments respectively	2150, 1750, 1350
Low level* plasma skin regeneration of decolletage only. Not inclusive of sedation or transport. For 1st, 2nd and 3rd/subsequent treatments respectively	2500, 2000, 1500
Low level* plasma skin regeneration of neck and décolletage. Not inclusive of sedation or transport. For 1st, 2nd and 3rd/subsequent treatments respectively	3500, 2800, 2100
Mixed energy treatments
Low level* plasma skin regeneration of full face. High energy plasma skin resurfacing to peri-oral AND peri-orbital areas. Not inclusive of sedation or transport.	4500
Low level* plasma skin regeneration of full face. High energy plasma skin resurfacing to peri-oral OR peri-orbital areas. Not inclusive of sedation or transport.	3500

What is the difference between plasma skin regeneration and other resurfacing lasers?

See skin resurfacing page for more information on this

Click here to go to skin resurfacing page.

Why should I choose The Victorian Cosmetic Institute as my provider of Plasma Skin Regeneration?

As one of the pioneers of PSR treatments in Australia, our doctors have a vast amount of experience in the use of PSR and have performed a large number of treatments. We take time to explain to you the pros and cons of treatment for your skin, and importantly, we give you appropriate advice in preparing your skin for the procedure.

On the day of the treatment, we also spend a large amount of time preparing you for the treatment by re-explaining the procedure, and taking time to prepare and anaesthetise the skin for treatment to ensure that your treatment is as comfortable as possible.

The first step is simply contacting us for your initial plasma skin rejuvenation consultation, where we will discuss with you what is a realistic and achievable outcome, and what to expect from your treatment. Making that first phone call about any cosmetic procedure can be a confronting task - many of our patients have preferred filling out our online enquiry form. We can then contact you with an understanding of the results you are hopeful of achieving and ensure the treatment is appropriate.

It's as easy as clicking either of the buttons below and completing the provided form.

Otherwise, you can phone us directly on (03) 8850 0655 (Templestowe) or (03) 9707 0888 (Berwick).

On this page:

• Rhytec Portrait Plasma Skin Rejuvenation (PSR) a novel device for the treatment of wrinkles, pigmentation, acne scarring, & sun damage

• Quick Facts

• What is plasma skin regeneration?

• How does plasma skin regeneration work?

• What can be treated?

• Am I a suitable candidate for PSR?

• Case Study

• Diaries of our patients

• Before and After Gallery

• What precautions do I need to take before treatment?

• What does treatment involve?

• What happens after treatment?

• Are the results permanent?

• How much does plasma skin regeneration cost?

• What is the difference between plasma skin regeneration and other resurfacing lasers?

• Why should I choose The Victorian Cosmetic Institute as my provider of Plasma Skin Regeneration?

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