There are a variety of devices in the market that use different energies to rejuvenate skin: fractional lasers, radiofrequency (RF), intense pulsed light (IPL) and that's just to name a few. And while each procedure is well suited to treat many skin issues, they all differ in technology, downtimes and efficacy. The Portrait Plasma Skin Rejuvenation uses plasma kinetic energy to provide skin tightening and treat wrinkles.
The Portrait Plasma Skin Rejuvenation (PSR) has 3 levels to treat different skin issues, based on levels of severity. Acclaimed dermatologist Dr. Christopher Zachary says, "If you use the high energies with this device, you can get very nice skin tightening, excellent reduction in pre-cancers and very nice color and texture and tone."
Actual Portrait Plasma Skin Rejuvenation (PSR) Results of Dr. Suzanne Kilmer
Full face skin regeneration with rhytide reduction and marked improvement is tone, texture and elasticity
Images Courtesy of The Energist Group
World renowned leader in the field of dermatology, Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick notes the Portrait PSR is ideal due its ability to deliver an overall peel. For patients who may suffer from an abundance of dyschromia or precancers, Dr. Fitzpatrick says, "The Portrait has an advantage because it gets a 100% peel across the surface."
Portrait PSR uses a highly energized gaseous state known as plasma to produce a unique thermal profile to penetrate the superficial and deeper levels of the dermis to replace damaged collagen and encourage new collagen growth for new skin. Dr. Zachary comments, "The plasma kinetic device actually energizes nitrogen which then produces plasma, a form of heat which rapidly causes heating - elevation of the temperature in the epidermis and the superficial dermis and it very rapidly becomes cool again."
After which, the outer layer of skin actually dies off, similar to a Chemical Peel. New skin that is beneath the uniform injury created by the treatment begins to grow thicker, pushing off the superficial dead skin, without the bleeding and oozing typically associated with other skin rejuvenation procedures, such as CO2 lasers.
According to Dr. Zachary, "The Portrait PSR creates its own dry membrane on the surface of the skin which would peel off after a number of days. In fact, when the patients went home, unless treated with the higher energies, they just look a bit red and swollen. Two or three days later, that skin darkens and actually starts to peel off. The natural dressing is of huge importance when it comes to allowing the new skin underneath, to grow with minimal post inflammatory hyper pigmentation, reduced infection, and reduced redness."
Actual Portrait Plasma Skin Rejuvenation (PSR) Results of Dr. Brian Biesman
Portrait periorbital skin regeneration with rhytide reduction and pronounced tightening of the eyelid
Images Courtesy of The Energist Group
The downtime associated with the procedure is dependent on the severity of wrinkles and loose skin being treated and which treatment depth level used. Dr. Fitzpatrick recommends a 7-10 days of downtime after performing this procedure. Dr. Zachary states, "The healing characteristics with this device are somewhat different. With fractionated CO2 lasers, there will be oozing and bleeding for the first 48 hours. The opposite is true with the PSR, when patients go home they're a little bit red and swollen but it's really on day 3, 4 and 5 when the skin darkens and peels, without bleeding and oozing."
While the Portrait PSR may be used on patients with darker skin, Dr. Zachary warns his patients that as with any skin rejuvenation device, there is a possibility of post inflammatory hyper pigmentation but pre and post treatment of hydroquinone cream greatly decreases the chances of PIH.
Dr. Christopher
Zachary
Dr. Christopher Zachary was born in Yorkshire, England. Following his medical school education at the Royal Free Hospital, University of London, Dr. Zachary subsequently trained in Internal Medicine and Dermatology. During his time at the Institute of Dermatology, Guys and St. Thomas' Hospitals, he gained an interest in Dermatologic Surgery. His formal surgical education was received at the Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. Currently, Dr. Zachary is Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, specializing in cutaneous oncology and reconstruction, cosmetic and laser surgery.
Dr. Richard
Fitzpatrick
Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick is known internationally for his innovative work developing medical lasers, including laser resurfacing of the skin with the UltraPulse CO2 laser. World-famous, Dr. Fitzpatrick has authored hundreds of science articles and several medical textbooks on laser surgery. He has trained thousands of physicians in laser techniques and has lectured all over the world. A Princeton University graduate, Dr. Fitzpatrick went on to Emory University Medical School where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society for academic excellence. Currently, Dr. Fitzpatrick is a practicing physician at Goldman, Butterwick, Fitzpatrick, & Groff, Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, CA.
American Health and Beauty, in an effort to provide the most up-to-date information to our readers, presents the Beauty Tech Review. The next installment in this ongoing series discusses Skin Resurfacing technology. Join American Health and Beauty editor, Keith Veseleny, as he speaks with leading physicians who share their knowledge on each skin tightening platform.
Previous Beauty Tech Reviews have included the following topics: Laser Lipoloysis, Fractional Resurfacing, Body Contouring, and Cellulite Reduction.
