PlasmaJet Neutral Argon Plasma for Skin Regeneration. Comparison with the Portrait PSR Nitrogen Plasma System

Goals/Purpose: PlasmaJet neutral argon plasma is FDA approved use for tissue dissection and coagulation.  In this mode, the plasma has limited tissue penetration. Neutral argon plasma can be configured for non-ablative tissue interaction. No electrical current passes to the patient. This study compares the effects of non-ablative argon plasma to the PSR nitrogen plasma skin treatment system.

 Methods/Technique: Thirty-five patients were treated on a half-face basis.  Patients were monitored  with Visia CR & Visia XBR, Dermascan C 50MHz ultrasound, and Dermalab elasticity and moisture modules.  Treatment pain scores (0-10) were recorded.  Subjects self-reported satisfaction re: treatment results. Patients were monitored weekly for 8 weeks,  then 3,6, & 12 months.  Skin thickness was measured using Dermascan C in the B-scan mode. Elasticity (Young's Modulus) was corrected for measured skin thickness.

Results/Complications:   There were no immediate treatment complications. One subject was lost to follow-up after 26 weeks.  Treatment discomfort was lower for PlasmaJet as compared to PSR (1.4/10 avg vs 2.8/10 avg). 

At 52 weeks, for PSR nitrogen plasma, there was no statistical difference in thickness, moisture, or elasticity.  For the PJ argon plasma treated side, both pre-auricular and malar average skin thickness increased (p=0.01 and 0.04 respectively).  Similarly, average elasticity improved, malar (p=0.06) and pre-auricular (p=0.07).

For Visia measured skin features (UV, porphyrins, vascular, brown spots, and wrinkles), improvement peaked at 26 weeks, but by 52 weeks the degree of change was not statistically significant. Blinded observer review of the 52 week photo results did not demonstrate a significant difference between the argon and nitrogen plasma.  Subjects reported a preference for the argon plasma result.

Conclusion: As measured by skin thickness, moisture, & elasticity, PlasmaJet neutral argon plasma improve skin quality.  This change correlates with the subjects self-reported preference for the quality of the argon plasma treated side.