This article provides an overview of the Aesthetics Online Summit 2024, hosted by Esty Web Solutions. Among the esteemed speakers featured, Rachel Arnold, CEO, and founder of World Plasma LLC, takes center stage, offering profound insights into the integration of plasma energy in the realm of aesthetics.
Rachael's objective in this presentation is to answer the following questions:
- What can Plasma Energy be used for
- What is Plasma Energy
- How can Plasma Energy be used in aesthetics
- What type of results you can expect with with Plasma Energy
- How to choose the best plasma pen for you and your clientele
At the beginning of the session, the speaker asked Rachael about her struggles in growing her business and the setbacks she has faced. In response, Rachael emphasized the importance of prioritizing her health, as a healthy body and mind are critical for business success. She shared her recent experience of dealing with a viral TikTok video that almost destroyed her Med Spa business and forced her to rebrand from the ground up. This incident was extremely stressful for her and affected her health and well-being. However, she realized the importance of delegating tasks to others so that she could focus on the crucial aspects of her business that really mattered. Although it was difficult for her to shift her mindset, this change ultimately saved her business and allowed her to move forward.
How did Rachael get into esthetics and specifically the Plasma Fibroblast industry?
In retrospect, Rachel Arnold reflects on her journey in the skincare industry, recognizing the invaluable lessons she wishes she had known when embarking on her entrepreneurial path. Sharing her experiences serves as a guide for aspiring skincare professionals and her insights in this presentation are designed to circumvent common pitfalls and streamline your progress as a new plasma fibroblast technician.
About Rachael Arnold and how she got started in the industry
Rachel Arnold, the CEO and head trainer of World Plasma, is a licensed esthetician with a background in hair and makeup. Her journey into the beauty industry started when she became Miss Texas International ten years ago, which ignited her passion for aesthetics. Despite being more of a tomboy growing up, Rachael's foray into pageantry cultivated her interest and passion for beauty, hair, and makeup. She started her career as a permanent makeup artist in esthetics and eventually went on to start her med spa.
Balancing the demands of motherhood with her professional pursuits, Rachael's role as a busy mother of three, including twins, underscores her tenacity and resilience. Simultaneously managing a med spa in Dallas, her journey epitomizes the juggling act familiar to many entrepreneurial spirits. Her diverse background, spanning from certification as a nursing assistant to a former fourth-grade teacher, underscores her commitment to holistic health and education.
As a certified injector for Botox injections and a health coach, Rachael emphasizes the importance of integrating health and wellness principles into skincare practices. Her multifaceted expertise not only informs her professional endeavors but also permeates her teaching, enriching the educational experience for her students.
In sharing her story, Rachael Arnold epitomizes the resilience and adaptability essential for success in the dynamic skincare industry. Through her journey, aspiring skincare professionals with invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship, empowering them to forge their paths with confidence and clarity.
Rachael first learned about plasma fibroblast around six years ago, but didn't really like the term. She did some research, but couldn't find anyone offering quality plasma fibroblast training locally. However, a friend of hers had a trainer come in from Canada, so she decided to take that training. It was decent, but the device she was given and what she was being taught were two completely different things, which was very confusing. Rachael only did a few treatments, and didn't like what she was seeing. This sent her on a search for what she now calls a true plasma device. She had to teach herself a lot about plasma energy what it does to the skin how it's supposed to react in the skin. Through a lot of trial and error, World Plasma was born. She recognized a significant need in the emerging plasma energy market for a product that could bring some clarity to the chaos.
At the time, there was a lot of confusion and chaos surrounding plasma pens. There were so many unknowns - practitioners were getting into it and then leaving when they realized it wasn't doing what they thought it would do. However, Rachael studied the science behind it and it made sense to her. She knew there had to be a device out there that worked, or else it wouldn't be so popular. There was a demand for good technology and training, as well as an understanding of this technology. Unfortunately, there were also horror stories about patients being harmed by these so-called plasma pens, which was very concerning to her.
Rachael was deeply concerned about the possibility of people getting hurt, especially if it was due to her own actions. This motivated her to learn as much as possible about preventing harm to clients, and to help others do the same. She was initially very excited about this particular modality, but then it got banned in Canada because of the electric pens used in the procedure. This made her realize that we can't risk hurting people and that this modality needed to improve, or she needed to find a true plasma pen that actually did what it was supposed to do. This is when Rachael came across Plaxel, which appeared to be different from everything else on the market. After using the pen for some time, she knew she had found a device and manufacturer that was on the cusp of offering true plasma technology, shortly after Rachael discovered Plaxel in 2018, Medsun released the new Plaxel plasma pen with true plasma technology. She started by teaching her close friends in the esthetics industry, and then the idea for World Plasma came about. Rachael wanted to create a way for aestheticians, doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners to receive valuable training in plasma energy without taking time off work or spending lots of money. She designed it to be an online program with plenty of support. This approach turned out to be very successful, especially when COVID-19 hit and everything shut down. So, that's how World Plasma came to be.
What we'll be discussing in this presentation
We will be discussing plasma energy, its uses in aesthetics, where it came from, the results you can expect, and how to choose the best device for you and your clients. The main use of plasma energy is plasma skin regeneration (PSR), also known as plasma fibroblast. However, the term "plasma fibroblast" is misleading because fibroblast is a cell in the dermis that produces collagen and elastin. Calling the treatment plasma fibroblast is inaccurate and is a term Rachael doesn't like because the word has become tainted by the electric pens on the market that cause excessive trauma. Therefore, we prefer the term plasma skin regeneration, as it more accurately describes the treatment's purpose and doesn't categorize us with the electric pens on the market that call themselves fibroblast pens.
Use cases of plasma energy in esthetics
Plasma has been used in surgery for many years, and recent developments have led to exciting applications for surgeons, dermatologists, and dentists. For example, plasma can be used to promote wound healing, treat various skin imperfections, and even stimulate hair growth. It's important to note that only authorized professionals are allowed to perform certain treatments, such as removing skin imperfections.
What is the science behind Plasma Energy?
Plasma energy is the fourth state of matter. It is a positively charged ion and free electrons floating around in an ionized gas. To give clients a clear idea of what type of energy we use on their skin, Rachael likes to use the example of a plasma globe - a childhood toy that had plasma inside that would stick to your fingers when touched. This visualization helps them to understand what plasma energy is and how it works.
In the 1920s, a scientist named Irving Langmuir coined the term "plasma energy" or "plasma". He described it as a jelly-like, moldable energy that reminded him of blood plasma in terms of how it behaved. However, many people get confused when you say "plasma" because they think it refers to blood plasma. Some scientists refer to it as a "liquefied gas", which is a more accurate term. Essentially, there are two types of plasma: thermal and non-thermal (hot and cold). In the aesthetics industry, there are many uses of plasma energy, some of which are considered surgical and dermatological.
Cosmetic uses of Plasma Energy
- Upper & Lower Eyelids
- Single to Double Eyelids
- Fine Lines & Wrinkles
- Crows Feet
- All Expression Lines
- Brow Lift
- Lip Flip
- Smoker’s Lip
- Partial & Full Facelift
- Neck & Jowl Lift
- Breast & Nipple Lift
- Tummy Lift
- Skin Tag Removal
- Acne Scarring
- Stretch marks
- Pigmentation
- Seborrheic Keratosis
- Piercings/gauged ears
- Sebaceous hyperplasia
- Fibromas
- Skin Tags
- DPN
- Milia
- Acne
- Scars
- Some PMU
- Some spider veins
As an aesthetician, there are some things you can't do to remove certain skin imperfections. However, there are many ways to diminish or get rid of them safely and effectively. Plasma energy is a popular method that focuses on reducing crepey skin and fine lines and wrinkles, as well as other skin imperfections. It works by delivering controlled pulses of plasma energy into the skin's surface, stimulating collagen production, tightening the skin, and promoting skin regeneration. This process leads to forced collagen production, which can help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scars, and uneven skin tones. However, it's crucial to be careful about the language used when providing this service, as it can be considered medical or cosmetic. Terms like "reducing the appearance of" are acceptable, but phrases like "skin tightening" are not, as they involve changing the skin's structure, which is considered a medical procedure. As an aesthetician, it's essential to be aware of the limitations and regulations when providing plasma treatments.
These are some examples of what plasma skin regeneration can do. It can greatly diminish acne scarring, as demonstrated by my clients in the photos.
One of Rachael's clients shown in the image above (left) only needed one treatment and was happy with her results, although she could have done with a few more treatments to diminish the scarring even more. In the middle photo, is a photo of the work done on a friend and client of Rachael's. Rachael has done true plasma around her eyes a couple of times, but it's important to note in this photo that the substance inside the bags cannot be removed and this substance causes eye bags. This is more of a medical condition that requires surgery. However, for those who do not want to undergo surgery, plasma can help diminish the appearance of eye bags, fine lines, and wrinkles around the eyes. The treatment is safe around the eyes and can be used to work on the eyelids without harming the eyeballs. Additionally, plasma has been found to help with discoloration underneath the eyes, as it promotes collagen growth, thickening the skin and masking the discoloration.
How long do the results last with true plasma?
It depends on the client and how well they take care of themselves with their skincare routines, diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management. One of Rachael's clients visits her once a year to maintain her results. She also has a great skincare routine, eats healthy, and does her best to take care of herself. She's very happy with the results with one treatment per year for maintenance.
In the photo on the right, you can see a client who had a nice jowl lift and tightening on her cheek. The results can be described as " a facelift-like effect", as we must be careful not to use medical terms like facelift or partial facelift when describing this treatment in our marketing as esthetic professionals. It's important to note that only a doctor can perform a facelift or partial facelift so it is important to consider the way you describe your treatments and avoid using medical terminology if you don't work under a medical director.
There are some more examples of what plasma skin regeneration can do. For instance, it can lift the jowls, as you can see in the picture. The student who did this jowl lift is based in the UK. In the middle, you can see a picture of a patient who had a full face and neck plasma skin regeneration treatment.
As you can see in the picture, the patient's neck creepiness was significantly reduced just 20 days after the treatment. However, it's important to note that collagen production takes time, so the patient will continue to heal and produce collagen for at least 3 months. This is why Rachael doesn't like to promote immediate results with the true plasma technique, as what you see immediately after is often just inflammation due to the somewhat ablative nature of the treatment. She believes in being truthful and honest about what to expect from this technique.
The two outermost photos are from a student who resides in Colorado, while the center photo clearly shows the skin-tightening effect after just one treatment. This person could do a few more treatments to achieve even better results. These treatments include tummy lifting, belly button reconstruction, and breast lifting. However, we need to be careful with our choice of words saying we are "improving the appearance of" as we cannot claim that we are doing skin tightening since we are not medical professionals unless we have a doctor on board.
Plasma surgery is a cosmetic procedure that uses plasma energy to achieve results. It's an alternative to laser surgery that can be used for skin resurfacing, scar revision, and the removal of benign skin lesions. Doctors appreciate the precision of plasma energy, which minimizes damage to surrounding tissue. This makes it a safe option for aestheticians to use. If you're a medical professional, you can use plasma surgery to achieve great results with minimal impact on your patients' skin.
It is important to note that when using plasma energy, you must be cautious not to exceed the threshold of scarring and hyperpigmentation. However, if you follow the instructions correctly, you can avoid these issues. It is essential to distinguish between true plasma devices and knockoff electric pens. Rachael will explain the difference between the two later on in this article. You must ensure that you are using a genuine plasma device to achieve optimal results. It is easy to spot the difference, and this article will show you how.
Plasma energy has various applications in wound healing, both medical and aesthetic. After an ablative procedure, plasma energy can be used to accelerate the healing process. Cold plasma is particularly effective at disinfecting and can be used to reduce the bacteria that come with acne. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species produced by cold plasma have antimicrobial properties that can help kill bacteria and promote healing. However, it is important to combine cold plasma treatment with proper skin care and lifestyle choices for maximum benefits.
Plasma energy has potential applications in the dental industry. Dentists and dental manufacturers are experimenting with the use of plasma for sterilizing dental instruments. Plasma can get extremely hot, making it an effective method for disinfecting root canals with precision. Additionally, plasma can eliminate bacteria and viruses without relying on chemical disinfectants. This is particularly exciting for those who prefer a holistic approach to healthcare and wish to reduce their exposure to chemicals.
Plasma energy can be used to address various skin imperfections. Depending on your qualifications, you can either diminish or remove these imperfections. These imperfections can include fibroma, skin tag, DPN (dark bumps that can form on higher Fitzpatrick skin types), milia (which can be easily removed), sunspots (which can be removed depending on the depth), sebaceous hyperplasia, cherry angiomas and Tanga (tiny spider veins on the face). However, it's important to note that plasma energy cannot be used to remove tattoos. Although some advancements may be able to remove tattoos at some point in the future, plasma energy is not currently meant for tattoo ink removal. While it can be used to remove very superficial pigment for permanent makeup, it's not the ideal choice for permanent makeup unless it's very superficial.
As for imperfections, we can remove tiny milia dots like the one on a patient's nose and cheek. The healing process is usually smooth with no scarring. Additionally, a student of Rachael's has been doing an excellent job in treating keratosis and DPN, mostly on darker skin tones with no scarring. However, Rachael advises against using plasma on such skin types if you don't have enough experience since they are at a higher risk of hyperpigmentation. Therefore, she has a comprehensive training program that covers all of this and much more. It will give you the expertise needed to handle such cases with confidence. These are some of the skin imperfections that we can treat using plasma energy.
Currently, plasma energy is being heavily explored for its potential in hair regrowth. We are seeing some positive results with patients and clients who are undergoing treatments where we test the effects of cold plasma and another modality that we recently introduced. The manufacturer has already seen promising results, and some interesting studies are showing that it does work. This is an exciting breakthrough that is still in its early stages, so we encourage you to be on the cutting edge of it. There is a study that shows it may promote follicle regeneration and improve hair density, which could be helpful for those with Alopecia or natural hair loss.
Plasma energy is used in three different ways on the skin. True plasma, also known as plasma fibroblast, involves a purple spark coming out of a needle tip. When the plasma energy hits a very fine pinpoint spot, it causes sublimation of some of the cell matter that still has cytoplasm or moisture in it. It clears the way by pushing the very superficial epidermal layers of skin out of the way and then sublimates the skin cells that still have moisture in them. As a result, a white dot is formed with a tiny pinprick of black in the center. Sublimation involves going from solid to gas, bypassing the liquid phase. A little bit of carbon is left behind since carbon in our cells doesn't sublimate. The skin expels this carbon in the days that follow as it heals. True plasma can be used for resurfacing, similar to laser, and it stimulates those fibroblast cells to begin producing collagen and elastin to heal those upper layers of skin. This is called forced collagen production because it's more aggressive than cold plasma or PlasmaChanneling, which is a recent introduction.
Cold plasma is a great way to sterilize the skin and is particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin. It also helps to infuse active ingredients deeply into the skin, making it an excellent addition to facials. Additionally, it has a collagen stimulation aspect, although it's not as aggressive as true plasma. However, with several treatments, you can start to see the effects of collagen stimulation. Therefore, we always recommend a series of treatments.
Plasma channeling is a new and exciting technique in the plasma energy market. It is similar to micro-needling or micro-channeling, but it doesn't use needles. Instead, it creates little micro-channels similar to micro-needling without needles. Plasma channeling has the same effects as micro-needling, such as collagen stimulation, without the needles. It's a sterilizing factor that disinfects the surface of the skin and the instrument while using it.
PlasmaChanneling helps to infuse products more deeply into the skin by creating little micro-channels, which activate the cells. Although there's still a lot of research in progress, the theory is that it activates cellular energy, which causes immediate tightening. This tightening effect is not seen with other treatments, and it's just so cool. PlasmaChanneling is also being used for hair regrowth, which is very exciting. All of these modalities can be used on the face and body.
Choosing a plasma pen
When it comes to choosing a plasma device, it can be overwhelming given the number of options available. However, it's easy to differentiate between true plasma and other devices. Rachael's first recommendation is to look up the device you're researching on YouTube and watch videos of it working on actual skin. Many devices leave burn marks or scabs on the surface of the skin, which is not true plasma. To clarify, true plasma should have a purple spark and the needle should not have to touch the skin. The energy jumps from the needle to the skin, leaving behind white dots with a small pinprick of black in the center. With other devices, you may smell burning skin, but with true plasma, you'll smell ozone. The Plaxel Plus device is the only device Rachael knows of that is true plasma, and she highly recommends it.
What are the contraindications?
There are some contraindications to using this device, such as people with pacemakers or metal implants. These individuals are not candidates for this treatment. Rachael provides detailed training on these contraindications. The inner workings of the device are proprietary, but I know that it produces a precise ionization that creates plasma energy. This makes it rare for clients to get hurt unless the technician is intentionally careless or hovers in one spot for too long. Overall, Rachael recommends the Plaxel Plus device for its safety, versatility, and performance, and it can save you money by allowing you to perform all of your plasma modalities with one device.
The device is designed to be very clean and self-sterilizing. Although the entire device is not sterilized, the tips that are being used get so hot that they sterilize themselves as you use them. Cold plasma, on the other hand, is different because it's not that hot. When you're doing the plasma fibroblasting with the needle in the end, you sterilize the needle as you use it. So, even if you accidentally poke your client, it's fine and won't hurt them. The plasma jumps from the needle to the skin, so, rarely, you're going to poke them.
The benefits of Plaxel+ and World Plasma Training:
You can rely on World Plasma with Plaxel as they have nearly a thousand happy students worldwide who have placed their trust in this training academy. Rachael and World Plasma are happy to provide references for you if you are considering joining the program. They have tons of before and after results which you can see on their Instagram story highlights and the plaxelplasma.com website. You get a one-year warranty with your device and if anything were to ever happen and you needed to send your device off for repair, we'll send you a loaner that they don't charge you for as long as you're within your warranty. This way, you don't have to cancel clients or skip a beat in the case you need to use your warranty.
With World Plasma Training, you get lifetime access to our training and any updates we put out, which are all included with your device. You get lifetime access to support if you have any questions. You can always get a hold of Rachael and Mike via the chat widget on the website, he is super knowledgeable about everything plasma. If he can't answer something, Rachael will jump in and answer it.
Plaxel now has great brand recognition as it has been around for a long time and remains the leading device on the market. Esthetic professionals know they can trust the Plaxel+ device because of its safety and proven results for technicians worldwide. World Plasma also provides marketing support with all kinds of marketing materials you can tap into.
The versatility that comes with Plaxel is one of its most important features. It uses thermal true plasma, which means it's not just a device that burns the skin. With Plaxel, you also get the benefits of cold plasma, skin tightening, imperfection removal, sterilization, and PlasmaChanneling. World Plasma is the only company that offers PlasmaChanneling, which is pretty cool and gives you an advantage over your competitors as it is stronger than cold plasma which is the technology most professionals have access to. With Plaxel, you can perform all sorts of plasma energy-related activities, making it super versatile.
Questions & Answers
One question that has come up is whether plasma can be used to prevent cold sores and kill viruses. While it is possible to use plasma for medical purposes, cold plasma tends to be a superficial sterilization process. Therefore, it may not penetrate deep enough to be effective against cold sores. In addition, using thermoplasma on cold sores can be extremely painful. Although it is theoretically possible to use plasma to remove warts, I do not recommend it since it can cause the viral material to be aerosolized, which can be harmful if inhaled. Therefore, Rachael generally advise against treating viral material unless you are a medical professional.
Is the plasma device safe for darker skin types?
If you're using the true plasma with the needle tip, it's not recommended for darker skin types unless you really know what you're doing. It's always important to spot-test everyone, no matter their skin color. However, plasma channeling and cold plasma can be done on all skin types and colors, which is very exciting!
How much to charge for true plasma?
For a true plasma treatment where we create dots on the skin, it can be time-consuming, especially if we're working on large areas. As a general rule, we charge no less than $300 for a credit card-sized area. For larger areas, we calculate the price based on the number of credit card-sized areas. For full faces, we offer a discount. Our prices for cold plasma facials or plasma channeling are $275 for a facial and $300 for a face and neck. We also offer package deals on PlasmaChanneling - buy five and get one free.
As for the ROI, if you want a detailed breakdown, we have pricing recommendations available on our website. With just five clients, you will more than pay for your device. The plasma needle tips are cheap, and the after-care products we recommend are from Sunshine Botanicals.
Suppose you're focusing on PlasmaChanneling, and you charge $300 per treatment. In that case, you can earn $1,200 a week by just doing four treatments. You will be able to pay off the device in three weeks, and the profit will be pure after that. PlasmaChanneling for a full face can be done in less than 30 minutes, which increases the ROI significantly and is a great introductory treatment to get your clients started with plasma without any downtime and allows the opportunity to encourage them to get a true plasma treatment which is where they'll see the best possible results and you'll substantially increase your earning potential with each customer as you earn their trust with the treatment and different modalities.
What is the recovery time with the needle tip?
True plasma does depend, but we see that it usually takes 5 to 7 days for the dots to fall off on their own. So, it is faster than what you'll see with electric skin-burning devices. The healing process can dramatically be sped up if you use proper aftercare, World Plasma recommends Sunshine Botanicals products and has a protocol to have clients follow in the online training. With PlasmaChanneling, you may experience a little redness immediately after, which usually goes away in a couple of hours. With cold plasma, there is no downtime at all.
How should we advertise the service?
You can use different terms such as PlasmaChanneling, plasma energy facial, plasma skin rejuvenation, and plasma skin therapy to avoid using medical terms. However, if we want to emphasize the medical aspect of it if you work with a medical director, you can use terms like plasma lift, plasma skin tightening, and plasma soft surgery.
References to the studies Rachael refers to in this presentation
Plasma Skin Regeneration
- Davoudi M. et al. conducted a study titled "Plasma Skin Regeneration: A Review" (Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2017) where they reviewed the efficacy and safety of plasma skin regeneration for various dermatological conditions.
Plasma Surgery
- Kisch T. et al. published a paper titled "Plasma Medicine: Concepts, Mechanisms, and Clinical Potential" (European Journal of Dermatology, 2012) which discusses the principles and applications of plasma surgery in dermatology.
- Oh J. S. et al. conducted a study titled "Clinical efficacy of fractional radiofrequency microneedle and fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of atrophic acne scars: A randomized split-face clinical study" (Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2015) which compared the efficacy of plasma skin regeneration with fractional CO2 laser treatment for acne scars.
Wound Healing
- Isbary G. et al. published a study titled "A first prospective randomized controlled trial to decrease bacterial load using cold atmospheric argon plasma on chronic wounds in patients" (British Journal of Dermatology, 2010) which evaluated the efficacy of cold atmospheric plasma in reducing bacterial load and promoting wound healing.
- Brehmer F. et al. conducted a study titled "Alleviation of chronic venous leg ulcers with a hand-held dielectric barrier discharge plasma generator (PlasmaDerm® VU-2010): results of a monocentric, two-armed, open, prospective, randomized and controlled trial (NCT01415622)" (Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2015) which assessed the effectiveness of a handheld plasma device in treating chronic venous leg ulcers.
Dental Applications
- Rupf S. et al. published a paper titled "Killing of adherent oral microbes by a non-thermal atmospheric plasma jet" (Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2010) which investigated the antimicrobial efficacy of non-thermal plasma for oral hygiene applications.
Hair Regrowth
- Kim H. S. et al. conducted a study titled "Low-temperature atmospheric-pressure plasma enhances hair growth in mice" (Biomaterials, 2018) which demonstrated the potential of atmospheric-pressure plasma in promoting hair growth in animal models.