The use of plasma technology is a relatively new area in cosmetics and is still not entirely clear. The first devices were created as an alternative to laser resurfacing, but recent studies show that the possibility of using plasma is much wider.
To understand what are the advantages of using plasma technologies, let's first understand what plasma is. The Plasma is a gas that, unlike stable gases familiar to us, is not just molecules neutral but also includes charged particles-free electrons and ions to positive and negative (and in some cases only consists of charged particles).
There are 2 types of plasma:
The Plasma is the source:
Specific effects on the interaction with tissues-objectives will depend on the type of the applied dose, plasma flow, pressure, exposure time (parameters that can be influenced through modifications of devices), and the characteristics of the fabric itself.
Original medicine has adopted the thermal effects of plasma. Thus, high-speed plasma flow generated by exposing the gases inert electric current of great strength, known as the plasma knife is used to cut and remove tissue. The ability of the plasma to heat the fabric (although at a slower pace), became the Foundation of its use in cosmetics.
However, I have to say that in recent years, more attention is attracted by the technology of cold plasma at low temperature (35-40oC), which allows us to get the therapeutic effects without damaging the living tissues.
At present, the possibility of the use of the ability of the cold of low-temperature plasma to generate free radicals and ultraviolet radiation for the disinfection of human skin, as well as for the treatment of wounds. This effect allows you to kill antibiotic-resistant microbes (especially nosocomial infections), without harming the skin itself. Antimicrobial activity of the plasma was demonstrated not only in laboratory animals, but also in randomized controlled human studies: treatment of wounds of two minutes with cold argon plasma stimulates a significant decrease in both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria on the wounds.
In addition, it was found that the treatment of wounds cold of low-temperature plasma accelerates healing. Recent work, published in the journal Scientific Reports, demonstrated that this type of plasma stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes through the activation of β-catenin-signalling pathway and inhibition of E-cadherin, which is responsible for contact inhibition of cell growth. In mice, the wound was treated with low temperature plasma, after 15 days it was observed almost complete regeneration of the epidermis and the muscle tissue, as well as the high density of the collagen fibres, while in the wounds, healing naturally, these processes were much slower.
Recent studies also showed that the plasma cooling leads to a temporary reduction of the barrier function of the stratum corneum and increases permeability of skin to drugs and cosmetics. It is assumed that this is due to the rearrangement of the lipid bilayers under the action of plasma and the formation of temporary channels to facilitate the passage of various substances.
The beginning of the era of the technology of plasma in cosmetics is associated with the thermal effects of plasma. Thus, plasma rejuvenation methods based on controlled thermal tissue damage for the release of regenerative processes and updates of the fabric. This principle is the main and other methods of rejuvenation hardware, however, in the case of the use of plasma has its own characteristics.
Pioneer plasma rejuvenation is a technology of plasma skin regeneration (Plasma Regeneration of the Skin, PSR), which appeared in the year 2006 as a plasma formation gas is proposed to use a nitrogen inert gas, which can displace the oxygen necessary for the oxidation and combustion, of the surface of the skin, and thus minimize the risk of burns and scars.
Under the action of the high frequency of the electric current in the handle of the device ionization of the molecules of nitrogen and the forms of plasma, which is delivered to the skin of a non-contact manner in the form of short pulses (for example, non-contact method of treatment allows the skin to quickly cool down and eliminates risk of burns from parts of the apparatus). That is, in fact, the plasma is the "carrier" of electric energy.
Once the plasma hits the skin, its energy is quickly distributed over the surface and provides a gradient heating of the skin — epidermis first, and then (depending on the level of energy) of the dermis with the formation of the area superficial of irreversible thermal damage and in depth the zone of thermal modification.
It is important that, in contrast with the laser, plasma does not require the presence of chromophores in the skin, thus heating the tissue progresses uniformly, without explosive vaporizations of tissues. The old damaged layer of epidermis serves as a "protective biological dressing" of the underlying cells and stays in place until the new format, and then gradually dies. In addition, it allows to treat the skin of all phototypes and reduces the risk of side effects, such as scars, infections and depigmentation. Even in the case of the high-energy impact deepithelization is fast and usually completed in 5-7 days after surgery.
The processes that occur in the dermis layer, already. Immediately after the treatment, recovered collagen fibers (in those areas where the heating temperature exceeds 60oC) and the response to heat shock, then the gradual destruction of the structures damaged and the activation of neocollagenesis and neoelastogenesis. The processes of remodelling of the dermis to continue for at least 3 months after the treatment.
Another use of the special properties of the plasma to conduct anti-aging procedures is the fractional plasma RF technology, which was introduced in the year 2010
Special tips of the manipulator (in the form of a movable roller or flat fixed nozzles), a plurality of needle electrodes (spicules). When approaching the surface of the skin for a few micrometers a powerful radio-frequency electrical discharge that passes through the electrodes, it generates a flash of plasma (plasma level of high density).
These flashes of "punch" the epidermis and upper dermis layers, forming channels surrounded by a zone of damage is thermal. In addition to the rotation of the ball (or pressing a nozzle fixed) spicules are pressed in these areas of the ablation, the provision of additional mechanical impact.
The depth and size of damage will be determined by the energy and the duration of the pulse (according to research on the skin of the pig, pits, ablation can achieve 50-200 µm of depth and 80-200 µm in diameter, and the zone of coagulation is the broadcast, even between 100 and 200 µm around them). Epithelialization is completed within 3-4 days, the process of remodelling of the dermis can last up to 6 months.
Fractional RF plasma-treatment is recommended for the correction of age-related changes (wrinkles, sagging skin, etc.) and even the skin tone and reduce scarring. In addition, the speed of the procedures (average of 10 min for 5 passes in the face) allows the use of rollers for the processing of large areas of the skin, for example, the abdomen.
What are the characteristics of plasma resurfacing in comparison with laser, the alternative that was originally created?
Unlike laser, plasma can be used in all skin phototypes. Coloration that can occur after procedures, in General, occurs with less frequency than in the case of laser processing. Was also significantly reduce the risk of infection and scarring.
Showed that2lasers provide a more uniform depth and the diameter of the damage, while in the case of the use of plasma, these sizes may vary. In addition, lasers provide a more profound effect of plasma. However, it is more than surface effects of plasma treatment can be one of the reasons why a lower risk of inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
With regard to the effectiveness of the procedures, which was carried out a direct comparison of the plasma fractional RF and fractional technology WITH2laser to remove the scars of acne. One side of the face patients (there are only 33 people with III and IV skin type) treated with plasma, another laser, 3 treatments of each. The depth of damage in the first case was from 120 to 150 microns and a diameter of 150-180 µm. Fractional WITH2-laser-formed damage with a depth of 300-400 microns and a diameter of 100-120 microns. Zone of thermal damage around the ablation pit was wider in the case of plasma.
Both methods are practically equivalent and significantly reduce the severity of the acne scars — from 51.1 ± 14.2 to 22,3 ± 8,6 in the case of a plasma (an improvement of 56.4%) and 48.8 ± d'15.1 to 19.9 ± 7.9, and for the co2-laser (improvement of 59.2%) on a scale of S. At the same time, in response to the laser treatment in 12 patients (36,4%) developed post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and for plasma treatment of the complications that were recorded.
Therefore, the plasma allows you to fight pigmentation, even out the texture and tone of your skin and, in fact, is equivalent to the non-ablative lasers. High-energy plasma, in turn, helps to fight the more serious defects, such as wrinkles, reduced elasticity and firmness, as well as pitted acne, scars and stretch marks, but the depth of impact is restricted to the upper layers of the dermis (in the case of lasers, the depth of the thermal zones can be greater than 1 mm).
Although plasma resurfacing carries a lower risk of side effects and requires less recovery time, the effectiveness of ablative lasers remains high. However, these procedures may be the procedures of choice for patients with darker skin types because it significantly reduces the risk of inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
In addition, the technology of the use of plasma to develop, and now appears a growing number of promising devices with new properties that allow them to get away from the comparison with the "little brother" of lasers and occupy a separate niche.
The main difference between the serious professional plasma welding machines, portable devices for home and salon use is the control of the depth and the degree of damage to the skin. This aspect is very important, allowing to obtain predictable results and reduce the risks of unwanted side effects.
The number of new devices that exploit the capabilities of the plasma is increasing every year. There are even portable devices that use the energy of the plasma in the lounge and in the home. However, it should be noted that these are the modes 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 professional machines, conversely, focus their efforts on improving the devices and creating a more controlled technologies to obtain an expected and stable results.
Interest in plasma technology is growing — is confirmed by a large number of devices appearing on the market in recent years. Plasma resurfacing provides softer impact than ablative lasers, however, are accompanied by fewer adverse effects and is becoming more controllable. An additional advantage is the possibility to use plasma for the treatment of dark skin phototypes.
In addition, there are cosmetic devices that generate low-temperature cold plasma that has repercussions on the prospects of the use of plasma technologies and suggests their increased popularity in the future.