Is anyone talking about the downtime?

Implications: Noninvasive modalities are becoming increasingly popular
Plasma therapy represents a spin on an old way of rejuvenating skin
To achieve dramatic results, there is a dramatic amount of downtime


Analysis: As the medical director for a local Laser Skin Care clinic, I was asked to evaluate the Portrait system and its rejuvenative benefits.  On first glance, it seems to be a highly effective treatment for both superifical as well as deep facial wrinkling.  It has even been touted as a replacement for the CO2 or Erbium laser.  The device is essentially a modification of coblation (which has been around for awhile) and promises dramatic results with very little downtime.  Given the fact that ASAPS continually citest the growing popularity of non-invasive treatments, this should be a home run.  Right?

Wrong. 

While the Portrait system might deliver dramatic results, it does so at a cost.  In speaking to a number of people who had actually undergone treatment, it became very apparent that there is a significant amount of downtime (pain and redness) associated with the more aggresive treatments.  Is this the case with the lighter treatments?  No, but the device is not being touted for its lighter results, it is being advertised as a  device for dramatic improvement of facial wrinkling.

So, if a client is willing to undergo a few weeks to months of redness, the Portrait system may be an excellent way to address these facial aging changes.  If not, I would stick to either the Fraxel Laser or an enhanced IPL-ALA treatment to achieve the same benefits (but with noticeably less downtime).