Some skin concerns are big and obvious. Most aren’t. It’s the little skin tag that catches on your necklace, the lines around your mouth that showed up sometime during the pandemic, or the upper eyelid that feels a bit heavier every time you put on mascara. None of it is a crisis. It just bugs you.
For a long time, the fix for those small things was either “live with it” or “see a surgeon.” Plasmage sits in the middle. It’s a non-surgical treatment that uses plasma energy to remove certain skin growths and tighten skin without a scalpel, stitches, or weeks of hiding at home.
We offer Plasmage here at Head & Heart in Lawrence, and it’s one of the treatments Megan gets asked about most once people hear what it can do. So here’s the honest rundown: how it works, what it’s good for, what recovery actually looks like, and who should probably skip it.
So, What Is Plasmage?
Plasma is sometimes called the fourth state of matter. It’s ionized gas, the same basic stuff you see in lightning or a neon sign. The Plasmage device creates a tiny, controlled arc of that energy at the tip of a handheld pen.
Here’s the interesting part. The tip never actually touches your skin. Megan holds it just above the surface, and the plasma jumps across that small gap to make contact. Each contact point creates a pinpoint micro-injury on the very top layer of skin. The tissue there is essentially vaporized on the spot, which is why you’ll sometimes hear the process called “sublimation.”
Those little dots do two jobs. Right away, the surface skin contracts, so you can often see some tightening the same day. Over the following weeks, your body treats each dot as a small repair project. It ramps up collagen and elastin production, which is where the longer-term firming and smoothing come from.
The Plasmage System is FDA-cleared for the removal and destruction of skin lesions and the coagulation of skin tissue (FDA 510(k) K202106). That matters, because not every plasma pen on the market can say the same.
Plasmage for Skin Tags and Other Small Growths
Skin tags are harmless, but they love the spots where skin rubs: the neck, underarms, eyelids, and under a bra strap. They snag on clothes. They get irritated. And snipping them off at home is a bad idea for about ten different reasons.
With Plasmage, Megan uses the plasma energy to gradually remove the tag layer by layer. There’s no cutting and no stitches. Afterward, a small scab forms and falls off on its own as the skin heals underneath. The same approach works for some other benign growths, like certain moles, warts, and raised spots.
One important rule: before we treat any lesion, you’ll need confirmation from your primary care provider or dermatologist that it’s benign. We’re not going to remove a spot nobody has looked at. Smaller tags often clear in one visit, while larger or stubborn ones may need a follow-up.
Plasmage for Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Fine lines are where Plasmage gets really fun. Because it rebuilds collagen right where the lines live, it works well on areas that are hard to treat in other ways, including:
- Crow’s feet around the eyes
- Lip lines, the vertical “barcode” lines around the mouth
- Crepey texture under the eyes
- Lines on the forehead and neck
It’s a different tool than a neuromodulator. Botox, Dysport, and similar injectables relax the muscles that crease your skin when you smile or frown. Plasmage works on the skin itself, which makes it a good fit for lines that are etched in even when your face is at rest. Plenty of people end up using both.
Plasmage for Skin Tightening
This is the headline use, and the one most people book for. Plasmage can lift and firm loose or crepey skin on the face and neck, and on other areas where skin has started to sag.
The upper eyelids are the most popular spot by far. When extra skin starts to hood the lid, Plasmage can tighten it enough to open up the eye. That’s why you’ll sometimes hear it called a “non-surgical blepharoplasty.” It won’t match surgery for very heavy lids, and Megan will tell you so at your consult. For mild to moderate hooding, though, the results can be impressive, with no general anesthesia and no incisions.
Other common areas include the lower lids, the brow area, and the neck. You can see the full list of treatment areas on our aesthetics services page.
What Treatment Day Looks Like
Every Plasmage treatment starts with a consult. Megan looks at your skin, talks through what’s bothering you, and makes sure you’re a good fit before anything gets booked.
On the day itself, we apply a numbing cream and give it time to work. Most people describe the treatment as warm and prickly rather than painful. You might notice a faint smell, which is normal and just part of how plasma works. The actual Plasmage part is fairly quick, but plan on about two hours for the whole visit once numbing is included.
Downtime: The Real Version
Plasmage is often called “low downtime,” and that’s fair. It’s still worth knowing exactly what you’ll see in the mirror so nothing catches you off guard.
- Days 1 to 3: Swelling, mostly in the morning. Eyelid treatments tend to swell the most. It usually improves a lot by the end of the first day.
- Days 1 to 7: Tiny brown dots form where the plasma made contact. They look a little like freckles in a grid. They’re supposed to be there.
- Days 5 to 7: The dots flake off on their own.
- Up to 4 weeks: New skin may look pink. Once the scabs are gone, makeup covers it easily.
Most people go back to work within a few days. If you have a wedding, a big presentation, or a vacation coming up, give yourself at least a week, ideally more.
Aftercare That Actually Matters
How you treat your skin afterward has a lot to do with your results. We’ll send you home with written instructions, but the big ones are:
- Don’t pick the scabs. Seriously. Picking is the fastest way to end up with a mark.
- Skip makeup on the area until the scabs are gone.
- Protect your skin from the sun for at least four weeks. Use SPF 50 or higher and wear a hat.
- Avoid heat and sweat at first. That means no hard workouts, hot tubs, saunas, or pools until the scabs fall off.
- Sleep propped up for the first few nights to help with swelling.
- Hold off on actives like retinoids, acids, and scrubs for about eight weeks.
Ice and gentle patting (not rubbing) help a lot in the first couple of days.
When Will You See Results?
Skin tags and growths are the quickest win. Once the scab falls off, the spot is usually gone.
Tightening and fine lines take more patience, since you’re waiting on collagen. Some lift shows up right away. The biggest change tends to land around weeks six to eight, and final results take at least 12 weeks. Skin can keep improving for up to six months. Some people love their results after one session, while others come back for a second round. If you do, treated areas can be retreated about every three months.
Is Plasmage Right for You?
You’re likely a good candidate if you have mild to moderate skin laxity, fine lines that don’t budge, hooded upper lids, or benign skin tags you’re tired of dealing with. You’ll also need to be okay with a week or so of visible healing.
Plasmage may not be the right call, or may need to wait, if:
- You have a sunburn or a fresh tan (we’ll postpone up to eight weeks)
- The treatment area is inflamed or irritated
- You get frequent cold sores and haven’t talked to your provider about antiviral medication first
- You need a perfect face for an event in the next few days
If you’re not sure, that’s exactly what the consult is for. Sometimes something like NOUVADerm laser resurfacing or microneedling is a better match for your goals, and Megan will tell you that. Our treatment guide is also a handy way to compare options.
Quick Plasmage FAQs
Does Plasmage hurt? With numbing, most people rate it as uncomfortable but manageable. The eyelids are usually the most sensitive.
How many sessions will I need? It depends on the area and your goals. Many people need one or two. Megan will give you a realistic plan at your consult.
How long do results last? The collagen you build is yours, so results can last for years. Your skin will keep aging naturally, though, and some people schedule a touch-up down the road.
Can I combine it with other treatments? Often, yes. Plasmage pairs well with neuromodulators and other collagen-boosting treatments when they’re spaced out properly.
Ready to Talk About Plasmage?
If a skin tag, a few stubborn lines, or heavy eyelids have been on your mind, come chat with us. Head & Heart is a cozy, appointment-only clinic in Lawrence, Kansas, and there’s zero pressure to book anything at your consult. Take a look at real client results, check out our payment plans, and book your Plasmage consultation when you’re ready.