When we’re young, our skin looks and feels firm and resilient. But as we get older, factors like sun exposure, hormonal changes, and even genetics begin to work against us.
Before we know it, we’re dealing with skin laxity and sagging that makes us look a lot older and more tired than we actually feel.
There was a time not too long ago when firming up loose, lax skin meant undergoing invasive (and costly) facelift surgery, followed by a long recovery and significant discomfort, swelling, and bruising.
Today, nonsurgical skin tightening has essentially flipped the script, providing alternatives that firm up mild to moderate laxity without incisions, sutures, or significant downtime.
At Advanced Eye Center in Hialeah, Florida, Rodrigo Belalcazar, MD, PLLC, uses the state-of-the-art Plexr® system to tighten loose, saggy skin and restore more youthful contours without all the drawbacks of invasive surgery.
If you’ve been wondering about Plexr and what to expect during and after treatment, here’s what you need to know.
Before recommending Plexr, Dr. Belalcazar evaluates your skin and discusses your goals and medical history. This initial consultation ensures that Plexr is a good fit for you and that your treatment is tailored to achieve the results you’re looking for.
If we decide Plexr is the right choice, we help you take steps to prepare your skin for treatment. Typically, that involves using sunscreen and taking other steps to minimize sun exposure during the weeks before treatment to reduce potential irritation afterward.
Plexr isn’t recommended for individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have active skin infections, or are prone to keloids, and Dr. Belalcazar will review these factors with you during your consultation.
On your treatment day, you’ll need to skip wearing makeup or applying creams, lotions, or other topicals to the treatment area to make it easier for Plexr’s plasma energy to penetrate the target tissue layers.
When you get to our office, we gently cleanse your skin and apply a topical anesthetic to keep you comfortable. Once your skin is numb, Dr. Belalcazar passes the handheld Plexr device over your skin.
The device emits tiny bursts of plasma energy in key areas. Plexr is precise, but it does create controlled thermal injury to the epidermis. While deeper tissues are spared, the surrounding skin may show redness or swelling.
As the energy reaches those target areas, it taps into your skin’s natural healing processes, stimulating tissue regeneration and collagen development.
Most treatments take 30-60 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated and whether you’re having more than one area treated during your session.
Plexr can be used to treat more than just your face; however, it’s most validated for eyelids and small facial areas. Larger body areas may require more downtime and multiple sessions.
Because it’s nonsurgical, Plexr involves significantly less downtime than more invasive treatments, but it does require several days of recovery time from crusting and swelling.
That said, you can expect some aftereffects, like temporary redness, minor swelling, and mild skin sensitivity during the initial stages of healing. People with darker skin tones may be at higher risk of pigmentation changes, so Dr. Belalcazar will evaluate your skin type carefully to ensure Plexr is the right option for you.
Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help, and you can also gently apply ice packs to minimize swelling. (Always prevent direct skin contact by covering the ice pack with a cloth.)
As healing progresses, you’ll start to see tiny dots forming on your skin. These dots typically appear raised or crusty, and they’re a completely normal part of healing.
It’s important not to pick at the dots or scrub them — they need to shed naturally for the best results. We provide you with complete instructions for keeping your skin clean and moisturized as the old skin sloughs off and collagen production ramps up in the deeper layers of tissue.
Once that collagen process begins, you’ll start to see results — typically over the next several weeks. Depending on your goals, additional treatment sessions can be scheduled to enhance tightening and visibly smooth fine lines and sagging, especially in key areas like around your jowls and eyes.
Plexr definitely offers aesthetic benefits, but that’s just part of the story. By firming lax, sagging skin, your treatment also helps restore your confidence.
And because it’s nonsurgical and customizable, Plexr can be tailored to your unique needs and goals for optimal results.
To learn more about advanced skin tightening and how it can help you achieve your goals, request an appointment with Dr. Belalcazar and our team at Advanced Eye Center today by calling 305-707-6011 or scheduling online.
