I’m happy to share I’ve invested in the NuVissa Plasma Pen for treatment of the upper eyelids and crow’s feet after many of you have asked me for treatment options without surgery. The NuVissa Plasma Pen uses plasma technology to help collagen building, tighten the upper eyelid skin, and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can be used anywhere on the face as well. The patients I’ve used it on have loved the effect!
Frequently asked questions:
1) Procedure time: about 30 minutes of numbing, 10-15 minutes of treatment and then 25 minutes of LED therapy afterwards to help healing.
2) Risks: Risks of scarring and discoloration in darker skin types so not able to be used on anyone darker than me or Fitzpatrick 5-6 skin types are contraindicated. It can be used on Fitzpatrick 1-4 skin types.
3) Recovery time: About 1 week with some facial swelling
4) Number of treatments needed: About 1-2 depending on the droopiness of upper lids and crow’s feet.
5) How long does the effect last: About 1-2 years per the company. I will learn more as I do more of these treatments. Then you can repeat the process.
6) Other options: If your level of eyelid droopiness is greater than what the plasma pen can treat, you will be referred to an Oculoplastics surgeon for surgery on your eyelids (after a VF test as requested by most insurance companies).
7) Is it covered by insurance: The cosmetic application to the eyelids is not covered by insurance. Please call our office to discuss prices. If you are not medically covered to have eyelid surgery, this is a great option.
8) What else can the Plasma Pen do?: I have also used it on the eye itself to tighten loose conjunctiva (conjunctivochalasis) with great results and a similar healing period of 1 week or so. The application on the eye is an insurance-covered procedure and great option for this condition.
9) Treatment of MGD: The NuVissa Plasma Pen also has an electrophoresis tip (different from the skin tightening tip discussed above) which can be used to treat Meibomian Gland dysfunction (MGD) for dry eye disease. My preferred treatment for MGD starts with oral omega-3 supplementation and IPL (Intense Pulse Light) treatment for patients who are candidates (Fitzpatrick skin type 1-4) however this electrophoresis tip now allows me to treat skin types 5-6 for MGD as well and helps patients feel normal for 6-8 weeks. This is also a self-pay procedure.
I’m excited to share this new technology and offer it to our patients! Using it in combination with Xeomin (Botulinum injections) can help give you the youthful appearance you’re seeking and help you see better by lifting your upper lids.
Call to make an appt for consultation for droopy eyelids and the Nuvissa Plasma Pen if it sounds like it can benefit you.