If you're my age, you've probably spent a moment or two looking in the mirror, gently pulling back the skin on your face, momentarily attempting to defy gravity. Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with aging–I love it actually. Each year, I seem to grow into a fuller, more authentic version of myself. But that doesn't mean I don't still want to look my best. With so many technological advancements in medical aesthetics, there are more ways than ever to achieve that 'still me, just better' look. One of the most exciting non-surgical options on the market today is Pure Plasma, and I couldn't wait to try it. But what exactly is it?

 

"When hearing the word plasma, most people automatically think of blood. But Pure Plasma Skin Rejuvenation actually harnesses the power of plasma, which is the 'fourth state of matter' after solid, liquid and gas," explained Grace Aesthetics' Daniel Ayers, PA-C, whose expertise I sought for this treatment. Dan explained that Pure Plasma uses plasma energy created by ionizing gas in the air to deliver controlled micro-injuries to the skin's surface. "This stimulates the skin's natural healing process, encouraging the production of collagen and elastin—proteins that are essential for firm, bouncy skin," he says. While it's still relatively new to market, Ayers has been treating patients with Pure Plasma for almost three years, and has been at the forefront of medical aesthetics in the Nashville area for more than two decades. He currently trains other practitioners on the Pure Plasma technique and is a national trainer and speaker for Galderma, as well as an Elite Injector for Renuva, among other accolades.

 

I was very nervous before my Pure Plasma treatment, but Dan explained everything with such intimate knowledge that I knew I was in good hands. After numbing my face for forty minutes, he used a special handheld device that creates plasma energy and delivers it to the skin's surface in a super-controlled way. The procedure itself felt like quick snaps of hot wax were being zapped onto my face in a linear formation, but apart from that there was no discomfort. "You'll see dots on your skin the size of a pencil eraser, but underneath the skin, they're actually much larger," Dan explained. 

Ayers treated my face, neck and chest, which took about thirty minutes in total. Overall, the treatment helps with a variety of skin concerns, including fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, sagging skin, and even acne scarring. It's also a great treatment for surgical and traumatic scars. Thanks to years of diligent sunscreen use, I don't have much sun damage, but I am experiencing enlarged pores and crepiness around my eyes. Unlike other treatments, Pure Plasma is safe to use around the eyes, including the eyelids. "Pure Plasma is the closest we can get to a non-surgical blepharoplasty (eyelid lift)," says Dan.

 

"One of the coolest parts is that Pure Plasma is just using energy to kickstart your skin's natural abilities. The process might leave some tiny scabs as your skin heals, but when those fall away, what's left is fresher, healthier-looking skin," says Dan. "In three months, you really start to see the results and they just continue to improve as new collagen forms in the weeks and months after the procedure." 

 

Dan and the other practitioners at Grace Aesthetics prefer to lean on biostimulators like Sculptra, and rejuvenating techniques like Pure Plasma, as the foundation of their aesthetics practice. "Back in the day, it was all about filling lines," Dan shared. "Now, we have tools available to help your body use what it already has to create a natural, refreshed look–not fake or filled."

 

As for my experience, for two hours following my Pure Plasma treatment, my treated areas were covered in red dots, and my skin felt warm as if I had a sunburn, which slowly dissipated after the two-hour mark. The following day, my face felt like sandpaper, and the red dots had turned brown. Those dots slowly fell off over the course of the following week, and my skin returned to normal. 

 

Now we wait for all that natural collagen to form and slowly turn back the hands of time–for my face anyway.