Frequently Asked Questions about Portrait Plasma Skin Regeneration

What is Portrait® Skin Regeneration?

The Portrait® Skin Regeneration System has been clinically proven to stimulate a natural regenerative process of the skin and represents a dramatic leap forward in the science of beauty. No lasers, light, or injections are used. Instead, it delivers millisecond pulses of nitrogen plasma to the skin’s surface.

This is clinically proven technology offers unparalleled improvement in the appearance of aging and damaged skin, but with predictable downtime and little to no risk of hypopigmentation, scarring, discoloration, or other complications associated with other more-aggressive treatments. More information can also be found in an article Dr. Yamini wrote an article titled “What’s the Skinny on Plasma Resurfacing? Physicians are looking for new resurfacing alternatives that are as effective as ablative lasers but with fewer shortcomings” that was published in the December 2007 issue of Plastic Surgery Products Magazine.

How does Portrait® Skin Regeneration work?

Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless gaseous element that is a part of all living tissues. When delivered to the surface of the skin, the nitrogen plasma generates a very controlled heat that targets below the surface, initiating a skin rejuvenation process. The outcome of the 10-15 minute procedure is a remarkable improvement in wrinkles, skin tone, texture and surface discoloration that actually becomes more dramatic over time, continuing for 6-12 months!

What makes Portrait® Skin Regeneration different from other available treatments?

The skin’s outer layers are preserved acting as a natural, protective dressing immediately following the procedure. In other words, unlike a laser skin resurfacing procedure, there is no “open” wound following the Portrait procedure because energy is transferred to the skin without direct contact. And while some treatments help to improve the skin’s outer surface, Portrait alters the structuresbelow the surface creating unique conditions for continuing skin regeneration in the 6-12 months following treatment. Portrait can treat the face, hands and other areas without lines of demarcations and is non-ablative.

Which areas and skin issues can Portrait help treat?

Generalized facial wrinkles

Periorbital treatments (around the eyes)

Perioral treatments (around the mouth)

Superficial skin lesions and pigmentations

Actinic Keratosis

Viral papillomata

Seborrhea Keratosis

Acne Scars

Before

After (1 month after 1 high powered treatment) Photo above courtesy of E. Sonderer,MD

What does the procedure feel like?

top of page Most patients experience a localized sensation of heat during the brief procedure. A topical anesthetic is sometimes applied before the procedure depending upon your specific needs. A full face treatment usually takes less than 15 minutes.

How many treatments will I need?

top of page Typically 1-4 treatments are recommended, depending your skin’s condition and the level of improvement you are seeking, relative to downtime. We find that most skin types respond well to a single High-Powered treatment. Those with certain skin types, or only a few days available for the downtime (peeling, redness and discoloration) may opt to do 3 or 4 Low-Powered sessions instead.

What happens following treatment with the Portrait PSR3?

top of page At lower levels of treatment there will be some mild redness and flaking of the skin. At higher levels, the outer layer of skin browns and flakes off 3 to 5 days after treatment. Once this occurs, the redness of the regenerated skin will last for 2-3 days. Shedding may take a little longer at the edges of the treated area. Localized redness may also linger slightly in some patients. On darker skin, the localized redness may appear as a darker spot that lightens over time.

When will I see results from my Portrait® treatment and how long do they last?

top of page The results will be seen soon after your treatment, but again, one of the unique characteristics of Portrait is that your skin will show continual improvement over time. Clinical studies show patients experience ongoing improvements for as much as a year after the treatment.

Where has Portrait been featured in the media?

top of page Yes, Portrait has been featured in Vogue, Time Magazine, W Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, New Beauty, Elle, The New York Post, Dermatology Times and was featured in O Magazine in the 2007 article, “Is this Any Way to Treat a Face?” by Jenny Bailly. Portrait Plasma was also featured in June 2007 on Fox TV’s The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet. The show featured Dr. Doris Day and a Portrait patient who “revealed” her results 2 weeks post-treatment.

Can I watch a video about Portrait PSR3?

top of page Yes, here is one from Energist below.