Plasma Upper Eyelid Healing Process Case Study

Plasma eyelid tightening is an effective treatment which produces results and like most effective aesthetic treatments, the area will "get worse before it gets better".

In this page we will focus on one of the most important issues in Plasma Upper Eyelid tightening, the healing process and its progression. Surprisingly, this is not a talked about subject anywhere, therefore we decided to focus on this issue because this has been the cause for concern to several clients who underwent this type of aesthetic procedure and were not correctly informed about these reactions to Plasma Upper Eyelid tightening.

The swelling following upper eyelid tightening had been the major cause of concern for those clients who underwent the treatment and it has also been the source of speculation about Plasma Upper Eyelid Tightening treatments in general. As we will see this is a completely normal reaction to this type of aesthetic treatment which has to be expected in all cases.

We have grouped this information openly available, so that-any one who performs these types of treatments or undergoes plasma eyelid lift can have a point of reference. In this way not only who performs the treatments for the first time and also those who undergo them are made aware in detail of what to expect. As we will see, the symptoms during the healing process can be dramatic, however they are all transient and they do not require medical attention. They will al subside on their own accord within a few days after the treatment. Please note that we will only focus here on the short-term healing process, the long-term healing progression is not covered here.

The healing process after plasma upper eyelid tightening is rather similar to that of localised plasma skin tightening on other areas of the face and body. Some degree of minor swelling and discomfort are experienced after plasma localised skin tightening treatments in general, however these are not generally a cause for concern or alarm. The healing after localised plasma skin tightening on most parts of the body involves:

• Minor Swelling
• Minor Burning sensation,
• Slight Discomfort
• Scabbing.

After plasma upper eyelid tightening the symptoms are similar but magnified and dramatic. This is due to the intrinsic sensitivity of the upper eyelid, which is notoriously more delicate than the other parts of the skin. The upper eyelids are more delicate and sensitive than the order parts of the body. After plasma  upper eyelid tightening using voltaic plasma, swelling is much more dramatic that the one experienced after localised plasma skin tightening, the burning sensation is more accentuated discomfort and burning sensation are more intense and sometimes more difficult to cope with. etc. In particular not only the swelling is more dramatic but, while in localised plasma skin tightening, where is the swelling is only minor and confined to the treated area, in upper eyelid tightening the swelling can also spreads to the lower eyelids. In other words everything that happens during the healing process after plasma localised skin tightening on most parts of the face and body also occurs after upper eyelid tightening but most symptoms are more dramatic.

In Plasma Upper Eyelid Tightening the area "gets worse before it gets better". Because of this, one of the main issue is the normal dramatic reactions which occur following the treatment, especially the swelling of the upper eyelids. However swelling is a natural reaction to the burn induced by the voltaic arc and it is not only to be expected but it is exactly what is needed in order to achieve the upper eyelid tightening sought by the clients. Also, some of the aesthetic practitioners new to this type of procedures, can sometimes be caught by surprise by these reactions during the healing period. The confusion about the healing process after plasma upper eyelid tightening is primarily due to the fact that there has not been sufficient structured information exploring in detail the healing process, this has caused unnecessary anxiety to some people undergoing treatment. The normal healing process of Plasma Upper Eyelid tightening involves:

1. Major swelling of the upper eyelid the day following the treatment (lasting 24 to 48 hours). The swelling of the lower eyelids (eye-bags) can occur even if the lower eyelids have not undergone any treatment (lasting up to 72 hours).
2. Intense burning sensation (lasting 12 to 24 hours).
3. Discomfort (lasting 24 to 48 hours).
4. Pain (lasting 12 to 24 hours).

The sometimes dramatic upper eyelid swelling and discomfort experienced after plasma eyelid lift had been cause of worry (and even distress at times) to those people undergoing plasma upper eyelid lift but were not well informed about the immediate effects of procedure. Although they may appear dramatic, pain, discomfort and swelling after plasma upper eyelid tightening should not be cause for concern. As we will see these symptoms are all normal effects which are transient and to be expected in all cases. None of the above effects can be completely avoided because they are caused by the very nature of the plasma aesthetic treatment itself (i.e. an intentional controlled skin burn). However they can be somewhat attenuated by using certain products and lowering the overall intensity of the treatment.

The information reported  about the pain experienced is based on the feedback received by the people who underwent these types of aesthetic treatments over the years (several hundreds). As we know the pain is caused by the burn inflicted during the treatment, therefore this is a normal reaction to this type of aesthetic procedure. Pain lasts up to 24 hours in most cases. The second day following the treatment is mostly pain-free and the pain is replaced by a feeling of slight discomfort first and itchy sensation after. While discomfort is experienced by everyone undergoing plasma upper eyelid lift in different ways, on the other hand the pain experienced after the treatment is dependent on the particular individual sensitivity to pain. Sometimes pain is not reported at all. In fact there had been several cases where the individuals never reported pain as such, just discomfort. The level of pain experienced (by people who are particularly sensitive to pain) also goes hand in hand with the level of swelling. Generally, the more the swelling the more the pain experienced. In general the level of pain experienced is dependent on:

• the sensitivity of the particular individual to pain,
• the intensity of the voltaic plasma treatment. The lower the intensity of the treatment the less pain experienced during the day following the treatment.  The higher the overall intensity of the treatment the more the pain felt after,
• the use of soothing products immediately after the treatment and during the healing process, including the use of ice packing.

Please note that the use of drugs for pain relief is possible, however seldom necessary and not as effective as the use of the appropriate topical soothing products.

Three cases will be presented here and as we will notice the pattern in the skin recovery is similar, the upper eyelids swell in very similar ways. The degree of predictability of the swelling is relatively high. Also the swelling subsides in similar ways making its development a very predictable phenomenon. Furthermore, it can also be reliably predicted when the swelling is supposed to subside completely. In the cases presented:

• No ice packing or any soothing products were used.
• The treatment intensity applied was also particularly high.
• The healing occurred without the help of any medication or drugs.

Although three representative cases are presented here with photographic evidence, over 300 cases were also examined and they reported the same or very similar healing patterns. Given the high number of the cases examined these are deemed sufficient to bring forward reliable conclusions about the issue of swelling after plasma upper eyelid tightening. There could be some minor statistical deviations, however these are not considered to be very significant given the large number of cases observed and feedback reported to date.

This is the swelling  which occurs the day following the treatment. As seen in the pictures below the degree of swelling is very similar in all three cases.

The second day after the treatment, the swelling have subsided either completely or almost completely. Because the swelling subsided, everyone is able to open their eyes without major issues. All the three subjects presented were able to open their eyes fully on the second day right from the morning. Sometimes the swelling on the second day spreads in the lower eyelid. By the second day the pain is gone in all cases and replaced by a slight discomfort.

On the third day all swelling subsided completely. The residual swelling of the lower eyelid has either subsided or almost subsided.  In all cases the eyes can be fully opened. No more discomfort is reported and it is replaced by an itchy sensation instead. The scabs have fully formed.

The scabs have fully formed and they start to fall off on their own accord. No more discomfort is felt and the  itchy sensation has intensified.

Almost all scabs have fallen off. This is when it is possible to start applying make up and sun screen. In most cases this marks the end of what it is commonly referred as "Downtime".

The area looks slightly irritated but returned to almost normal and the long-term recovery takes place. At this point most people will we unable to tell the area undergone any aesthetic treatment. At the time of the treatment, the individual on the left was 66, 44 in the middle and 34 years of age on the right respectively. The pictures show how the healing appears to occur faster on the youngest subject and slower on the older ones. No sufficient cases have been examined in order to bring forward a conclusive opinion on the matter of speed of healing relative to the age of the individual.

Eyebag swelling is another reaction to be expected after the plasma upper eyelid lift. This has also been a cause of concern for clients who had undergone these types of treatments but were not aware of this type of short-term reaction. At a certain point during the healing process, although the lower eyelids had not undergone any treatment at all, they often swell too. It is interesting that the lower eyelids (or eyebags) swell even if no treatment has been performed to the area. This is because the upper and lower eyelids are interconnected, therefore the fluid produced, after the controlled burn on the upper eyelids tends to travel to the eyebags. The way the lower eyelid swelling can occur varies from person to person and sometimes it may even not occur at all, especially in case of low/medium intensity treatment coupled with the use of the appropriate soothing products. However,  this reaction has to be expected in any case. The swelling of the lower eyelid can occur either the day after the treatment coupled with the swelling of the upper eyelid but it often occurs the second day after the treatment. The lower eyelid swelling is caused by the fluid on the upper eyelids transferred to the eyebags during the second night after the treatment. As we know in any case the fluid will be naturally absorbed by the body and will leave no trace. In conclusion, the swelling of the lower eyelids is transient and will subside completely on its own accord without the use of any treatment of any type or medication.

The following table goes through the healing progression after plasma upper eyelid lift in detail.  The table has been built based on our experience and feedback received after treating hundreds of  people using plasma devices for aesthetic purposes. Please note that any individual reaction could differ to a certain extent from what described therein based on:

• technique used,
• overall treatment intensity,
• individual reaction to the treatment.

However as a rule of thumb, if the swelling has not subsided completely by the fourth day after the treatment and the scabs have not formed yet, contact your aesthetic practitioner.  

Pain, discomfort, swelling of both upper and lower eyelids are all normal reactions to plasma upper eyelid tightening. Generally, they are all to be expected, however they all subside on their own accord without the help of any medical treatment or medication of any type. In all cases examined, swelling pain and discomfort peaked throughout the night after the treatment and the  following morning. The day following the treatment is also the most challenging as this is when the pain, discomfort and swelling peak. Swelling of the lower eyelid was observed in some occasions the day following the treatment, especially when the treatment was carried out at high intensity and/or no soothing product or ice packing were applied to the area to soothe it. When the swelling of the eye-bags occurred, it was most often observed the two days after the treatment. Mostly, the swelling of the lower eyelid started to subside the third day after the treatment. In all cases the lower eyelid swelling subsided by the fourth day. In most cases the scabs were fully formed on the third day after the treatment. However it has to be noted that scabs do not always form during the healing process. In most cases the area returns to normal  within 5 days (when all scabs have also fallen off by then). This usually marks the end of what most people perceive as "downtime". In all cases examined pain, discomfort swelling subsided without the help of any particular remedy or medication and the area eventually returned to normal. No medical treatment was carried out in all cases (i.e. no medical consultation or use of any drugs or ointments of any type) and the area healed on its own. Please bear in mind that most of the undesired reactions are due to poor after-care during the healing period.

Pictures and videos of the respective procedures.

Here we present the pictures used for this study. You can also watch the procedures where the video was available too.

• Leftmost Subject
• Centre Subject
• Right most subject

Leftmost Subject Healing Process.

Here you will see the full healing progress over the period of  10 days. The subject was 66 years of age in 2015 at the time of the upper eyelid tightening  procedure shown in the video. Only one eyelid was treated to show the difference between the eyelid treated and the one not treated. You will notice the difference in the after picture between the left and the right eyelid.

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Centre Subject Healing Process.

The video below shows the plasma upper and lower eyelid tightening procedure. The pictures will show you the healing progression of  over a period of 8 days after Eyelid tightening. The individual was 44 years of age at the time of the procedure.

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Right most subject Healing Process.

These pictures show the healing progression after a medium intensity plasma eyelid tightening treatment using the spray mode. The individual was 35 years of age at the time of the specific treatment.

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We will explore some of the myths about the healing (following upper plasma upper eyelid tightening) which is likely caused by the general lack of structured and organised information about what normally happens during the healing process. This has led in turn to the myriad of speculation around this simple aesthetic procedure.

Myth number one. Swelling is an adverse reaction to the treatment. It can sometimes occur after plasma eyelid tightening treatments but does not necessarily occur. If swelling occurs something is going wrong.

No. Swelling is a very normal and expected reaction to Voltaic Plasma upper eyelid tightening treatments. It always occurs after plasma eyelid lift treatments and can be minimised to a certain extent but never completely avoided, despite the device used for plasma eyelid tightening. All plasma upper eyelid tightening treatments will inevitably lead to some degree of swelling of the upper eyelid. Swelling is normal and there is nothing to be worried about when it is experienced. Swelling will subside on its own without the need of any treatment at all.

Myth number two. I need to be taking holidays and I have to be out of work for several days after the procedure because of the swelling caused by the Plasma Treatment.

Not true. Most people can return to their normal business activities immediately after this type of aesthetic  procedure. It maybe harder to carry out your normal activities only the morning following the treatment, because this is when the swelling peaks. This peak in swelling can sometimes cause trouble opening your eyes fully or open them at all, but this only happens the morning after the treatment. Over the course of the day the swelling will inevitably start to subside and you will be able to open your eyes again by the evening. The second day the swelling of the upper eyelid will almost be gone in most cases.

Due to the possibility of severe swelling the morning following the treatment, it maybe advisable to only take one day off or carry out the treatment before the weekend, so that you can rest when the swelling and the pain are at their peak. Please note that not all swelling maybe major and most people are able to carry out their normal activities even the day following the treatment.

However if the treatment has been carried out at low/medium intensity and the appropriate soothing product is used, then the peak of swelling experienced the morning following the treatment may be bearable and you may carry out any normal activities anyway.

During the healing period your eyes will be swollen to start with and the scabs will develop as the swelling subsides, therefore you will not look at your best, however if you are confident enough you can still carry out most of your normal activities other than being in the sun and expose yourself to dusty environments.

Myth number three. I will not be able to carry out my normal activities due to the "downtime" caused by the swelling.

The "downtime" is very subjective. This depends on the definition the individual assigns to the word "downtime". In most cases people refer to "downtime" (after an aesthetic procedure) as the period of time when it is possible to notice that some form of treatment was carried out. If this is the definition of downtime, then this will last as long as the scabs have not fallen off completely. Once the scabs have fallen off, normally it will be hard to tell any treatment was carried out.

In any case, despite the swelling you can carry out most normal activities right from the day after the treatment. The swelling peaks the morning following the treatment, therefore this is when you may find it harder to perform your usual tasks. Only at times the swelling can be so severe that you will not be able to open your eyes, but this does not happen all the time and the swelling subsides throughout the day. The second day following the treatment the swelling will have subsided dramatically and therefore in any case you should be able to perform most normal activities from the second day onwards.

Myth number four. Swelling after plasma upper eyelid tightening needs to be treated by a doctor.

NO. Swelling  does not need to be treated by a doctor and it does no need any specialist treatment at all. The swelling caused by voltaic plasma eyelid lift treatments does not require any medical attention or pharmaceutical treatment because it is an expected reaction to the burn caused by the aesthetic treatment itself and it will subside inevitably on its own accord.

On the contrary, sometimes, the use of inappropriate products and treatments can lead to undesired adverse reactions. Therefore, if in doubt consult your aesthetic practitioner who has seen several of these reactions, leave the area alone and follow the directions provided by your aesthetic practitioner.

What requires medical attention are potential infections, however none have been reported to date.

Do not use any products which are not specifically recommended by your aesthetic practitioner. Medicines are not required and should not be used because they have their contraindications or may lead to adverse reactions.

Myth number five. Because of the swelling only doctors can perform this type of treatment.

Not true. Swelling will subside completely anyway despite the academic qualification of the person who carries out the treatment.  Moreover the swelling will subside on its own accord, medical attention is not needed unless the swelling has not subsided the fourth day after the treatment.

Myth number six. Only doctors can safely perform Plasma aesthetic procedures Safely.

This myth was born from the need to sell devices to Doctors. Notoriously most self-employed Medical Doctors refuse to purchase any instrument or device which is also marketed to other aesthetic practitioners in general. Some companies have decided making the same or similar devices in different packaging in order to satisfy both markets (i.e. Doctors and aesthetic practitioners). One manufacturer in particular marketed to doctors only therefore has advertised their electrical plasma device as something that only doctors can use.

In practice to this date, these treatments have been performed safely by several aesthetic practitioners who are not medical doctors. We have examined the legislation and also made enquiries with the authorities on the matter. Up until January 2017 that there is no legislation in Europe which states who can use electrical plasma devices for aesthetic purposes. It is confirmed that as January 2017 no limitation to "doctors only".

Swelling and pain after plasma eyelid tightening are a normal and almost inevitable occurrence. This is because the plasma aesthetic skin tightening treatment causes an intentional superficial skin burn. It is somehow possible to reduce the swelling and the pain from the treatment using medium/mild intensity treatments associated with the use of suitable soothing products and/or ice packing, however due to the very nature of the treatment (an intentional superficial burn) swelling can be minimized or attenuated but never completely avoided.

Throughout our experience and the experience of many other aesthetic practitioners who carry out plasma upper eyelid tightening treatments, far too often phone calls are received from customers concerned by the swelling, pain and discomfort the day following plasma upper eyelid tightening procedures. The confusion and lack of information about the normal reactions during the healing process after plasma eyelid lift have also caused people to take unnecessary medication and use inappropriate products in order to "cure" these normal reactions.

As we now know, the healing progress follows always a specific and predictable pattern which "per se" does not require medical attention or "cure". Swelling discomfort or pain are all too normal and can be minimised but never completely avoided due to the nature of the aesthetic treatment itself.

For this reason this case study focuses on examining in detail pain, discomfort, swelling and the "downtime" throughout the first few days following plasma eyelid tightening. The time period which is of most concern to those who undergo plasma eyelid tightening.