Concerns Treated
Addresses hooded eyelids, crow’s feet, lip lines, jawline laxity and jowls, loose skin under the chin (submental), and forehead lines. Plasma Pen is best for patients with mild-to-moderate skin laxity who want a non-surgical alternative — it is not a substitute for surgery in cases of severe hooding.
Ideal Candidate
Plasma Pen works best for patients with fairer to medium skin tones (Fitzpatrick I–III) who have mild-to-moderate skin laxity and want improvement without incisions or general anesthesia. Darker skin tones carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and may not be candidates. Not recommended during pregnancy, with a recent tan or sunburn, with active skin infections, or for patients prone to keloid scarring. A consultation is required before your first session to confirm candidacy.
Plasma Pen vs. Surgery
Plasma Pen is non-surgical fibroblast therapy — no incisions, no stitches, just topical numbing. It contracts existing skin and stimulates new collagen over 8–12 weeks, with 7–10 days of visible downtime. Surgical blepharoplasty physically excises excess skin and fat under anesthesia, producing the most dramatic correction of severe hooding but requiring 2–4 weeks of recovery. Plasma Pen suits mild-to-moderate laxity; surgery suits severe excess skin.
How Plasma Pen Works
The Subnovii Plasma Pen converts electrical energy into gaseous nitrogen plasma, which is applied in precise, controlled dots on the skin’s surface. The heat contracts tissue immediately and creates a controlled micro-injury.
This process — known as fibroblast therapy — triggers the body’s wound-healing response at the dermal level. Fibroblasts activate and begin producing new collagen and elastin in the treated area over the following 8–12 weeks.
The treatment is commonly used on hooded eyelids, lip lines, crow’s feet, and jawline laxity — areas where topical products have limited reach and where surgery has traditionally been the primary option.
The Benefits
Tissue Contraction
Plasma energy contracts loose skin on the eyelids, forehead, and jawline — areas where topical products and most non-invasive devices have limited effect.
Collagen Remodeling
The controlled micro-injury activates fibroblasts in the dermis, producing new collagen and elastin over 8–12 weeks. Results continue improving after the initial healing period.
Durable Results
Unlike injectables that require maintenance every few months, Plasma Pen results can persist for one to three years as the newly built collagen matures and stabilizes.
Skin Concerns We Treat
Plasma Pen fibroblast therapy is designed for areas where loose, sagging skin has been historically difficult to treat without surgery. Here’s what it addresses.
Hooded Eyelids
Excess skin on the upper eyelid folds over the crease, creating a heavy or tired appearance. Plasma Pen contracts this tissue without incisions — offering a non-surgical alternative to blepharoplasty. The plasma arc creates controlled dots along the excess fold, causing the skin to retract and tighten over 8–12 weeks as new collagen forms. For patients with significant volume loss contributing to a sunken appearance, dermal fillers at the brow or temple can complement the lift.
Crow’s Feet
Fine lines radiating from the outer corners of the eyes deepen over time as collagen and elastin break down. Plasma Pen tightens the skin in this delicate area through controlled thermal contraction, stimulating new collagen at the dermal level. For dynamic lines that appear with expression, Botox or Dysport can be used alongside Plasma Pen — the neurotoxin relaxes the muscle while the pen addresses the structural skin laxity.
Lip Lines
Vertical lines above the upper lip — sometimes called smoker’s lines — develop from repetitive muscle movement and collagen loss. Plasma Pen contracts the skin around the vermillion border, smoothing the vertical creases and tightening the perioral area. For patients who also want to restore lost lip volume, lip filler can be combined after the healing period to address both texture and fullness.
Jawline & Jowls
As collagen and fat pad support diminish, skin along the jawline begins to sag and collect below the mandible — forming jowls. Plasma Pen contracts this loose tissue, redefining the jawline contour without surgery. For patients with moderate-to-significant volume loss, dermal fillers along the jawline can restore structural support while Plasma Pen tightens the overlying skin.
Submental Laxity (Under Chin)
Loose skin under the chin creates the appearance of a double chin even in patients without significant fat deposits. Plasma Pen contracts the submental tissue, tightening the area and improving the profile view. This is one of the few non-surgical options for skin-based laxity in this area. For patients with excess submental fat in addition to skin laxity, a combination approach may be more effective — your provider will assess during consultation.
Forehead Lines
Deep horizontal forehead lines develop from years of frontalis muscle movement combined with collagen loss. Plasma Pen targets these lines with precision dot placement, contracting the skin and stimulating collagen remodeling. For dynamic forehead lines that appear with expression, Botox or Dysport addresses the muscular component while Plasma Pen treats the structural skin laxity — the two work on different mechanisms and can be combined effectively.
Plasma Pen vs. Surgical Blepharoplasty
Both treatments address loose eyelid skin, but through fundamentally different approaches and recovery profiles. Here’s how non-surgical fibroblast therapy compares to surgery.
Plasma Pen is not a replacement for surgery in patients with severe hooding or functional vision obstruction. It is a strong option for patients with mild-to-moderate laxity who want noticeable improvement without incisions, stitches, or general anesthesia. Your provider will assess your candidacy and recommend the most appropriate approach during a consultation.
What to Expect
A Plasma Pen session takes approximately 60–90 minutes depending on the treatment area. A consultation is required before your first session to confirm candidacy.
Consultation & Candidacy
Your aesthetician evaluates your skin type, laxity level, and treatment goals. Plasma Pen works best on Fitzpatrick skin types I–III (fair to medium). Darker skin tones carry a higher risk of hyperpigmentation and may not be candidates. A treatment plan is created during this visit.
Numbing
A medical-grade topical lidocaine cream is applied to the treatment area and left for 30–45 minutes. Adequate numbing is essential for comfort, as the plasma arc generates localized heat. The cream is removed immediately before treatment begins.
Plasma Pen Treatment
The Subnovii device is held just above the skin surface — never touching it. The plasma arc creates precise micro-injuries in a dot pattern. You’ll see immediate tissue contraction as the skin tightens in real time. Eyelids take 15–20 minutes; jawline 20–30 minutes.
Post-Treatment Care
A soothing aftercare ointment is applied to the treated area. You’ll receive detailed instructions for the healing period. The tiny carbon dots (crusts) that form are normal — they protect the healing skin underneath and fall off naturally within 5–10 days.
Healing & Results
Expect 7–10 days of visible downtime. Swelling peaks at days 2–3 (especially with eyelid treatments), then subsides. Carbon crusts fall off by days 5–10. Pink skin underneath fades over 2–4 weeks. Full collagen remodeling and final results develop over 8–12 weeks.
Post-Treatment Tips
Do not pick, scratch, or remove the carbon crusts — let them fall off naturally. Apply the provided aftercare ointment as directed. Avoid direct sun exposure and use mineral SPF daily for at least 4 weeks. No makeup on the treated area until crusts have fully shed. Avoid saunas, steam rooms, and strenuous exercise for 7 days. For full guidance, visit our post-care instructions.
Treatment Options
A consultation is required before booking to confirm candidacy. Pricing below reflects the most commonly requested treatment areas.
Lip Lines & Crow’s Feet
Targets fine-to-moderate lines around the mouth or outer eyes with focused plasma energy. Each area is treated independently.
- Focused plasma dots
- Lip lines or crow’s feet
- Each area priced separately
- Precise small-area work
Upper or Lower Eyelids
Non-surgical alternative to blepharoplasty. Contracts and lifts hooded upper eyelids or tightens crepey lower-lid skin. The most-requested Plasma Pen treatment at ELLEMES.
- Non-surgical eye lift
- Upper or lower lids
- Contracts hooded skin
- Most-requested treatment
Submental (Under Chin)
Contracts and firms loose skin under the chin and along the jawline. Addresses mild-to-moderate laxity without surgery or filler.
- Under-chin tightening
- Jawline contour
- Mild-to-moderate laxity
- No surgery or filler
Multi-session packages available
- ✓ Package of 3 — save 10% on the standard per-area price
- ✓ Package of 5 — save 15% on the standard per-area price
- ✓ Many patients achieve results in 1 session; moderate laxity may benefit from 2–3, spaced 8–12 weeks apart
A consultation is required before your first session to confirm candidacy and finalize a treatment plan.
Who Performs This Treatment
How Often to Treat
Unlike treatments that require monthly sessions, Plasma Pen produces durable results from fewer appointments. Collagen matures over 8–12 weeks, so sessions are spaced accordingly.
Many patients achieve their desired result after a single session — particularly for early-stage eyelid hooding, fine crow’s feet, or mild lip lines. Full results develop over 8–12 weeks as collagen remodels.
For patients with more significant skin laxity — moderate eyelid hooding, deeper jawline sagging, or pronounced forehead lines — a series of 2–3 sessions produces more dramatic tightening. Each is spaced 8–12 weeks apart to allow full collagen maturation.
Plasma Pen results can last 1–3 years depending on the treatment area, skin type, and aging factors. Maintenance sessions can be performed once the original results begin to diminish — far less frequently than injectables.
Between sessions, treatments like HydraFacial or a Deluxe Facial can maintain skin health and clarity. For complementary tightening at the dermal level, ask about Vivace RF Microneedling. View all ELLEMES treatments.
Plasma Pen Questions
What to know before booking a Plasma Pen treatment at ELLEMES Medical Spa in Atlanta.
What is Plasma Pen skin tightening?
Which areas can be treated?
How many sessions do I need?
What is the downtime like?
Is the treatment painful?
How soon will I see results?
Who is an ideal candidate?
When You’re Ready
Schedule a consultation and we’ll assess your skin, confirm candidacy, and recommend the right Plasma Pen approach based on your anatomy and goals.
Book a Consultation →Or call (470) 222-6581