Which Plexr Plasma Protocol Is Right for You? Candidacy, the Five Protocols, and When Surgery Is the Better Answer

Key takeaways

• There are five Plexr protocols. The right one depends on your main concern and how much downtime you can take.
• Glass Lift is the lightest option. It gives glow and refinement with little or no downtime.
• Good candidates have loose skin, sun damage, fine lines or crepey skin around the eyes.
• Plasma is not used during an active skin infection or herpes outbreak.
• For some patients, surgery is the honest answer, and a good clinic will say so.

Start with the main guides: Plexr Soft Surgery in Ann Arbor, MI · Non-Surgical Facelift in Ann Arbor: PDO Threads, Sculptra and Plexr. Then use this page to work out which plasma protocol is yours.

Quick Read: Match Your Concern to a Protocol

Are you a woman in your forties, fifties or sixties? You may be noticing the changes that used to send people to a plastic surgeon:

• Hooded upper eyelids.
• Bags under the lower eyelids.
• Perioral lines (lines around the mouth) that hold lipstick.
• Jawline laxity (loose, sagging skin).
• Crepey neck skin.

If so, plasma resurfacing is worth knowing about. The protocol you need depends entirely on what you want to change.

PlexrPlus is the medical plasma device used at Arbour Longevity. It is FDA-cleared. It produces a tiny beam of ionized gas, known as plasma. The plasma arc never touches the skin. Instead, it vaporizes (sublimates) the very top skin cells at one exact point. That top layer is the epidermis. This small, controlled injury wakes up fibroblasts, the cells that make collagen. The skin then rebuilds collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep it firm and springy. The treated skin visibly tightens. The device has been used in Europe for more than a decade. It is now catching on in the US.

The Five Protocols, in Order of Intensity

Glass Lift: refinement and glow with no downtime

Glass Lift is the bio-botox, growth-factor serum and Plexr protocol. A topical growth-factor serum is applied to the skin surface to support repair. Very light plasma passes are made across the whole face. This refines texture, evens tone and gives an instant glow. The plasma opens tiny nano-channels in the skin. Right after, botox is applied to the skin surface.

It treats:

• Surface dullness and tired-looking skin.
• Mild texture roughness.
• Uneven tone, including light sun damage.
• The need for a refresh between deeper sessions or before an event.

It does not treat marked laxity, deep wrinkles or scars. Those need CAT, the plasma eyelid lift or Plexrplasty.

Best for: patients in their mid-thirties through forties who are building a long-term skin routine. Also patients between deeper sessions, and anyone getting ready for an event. Some patients see light pinkness for 24 to 48 hours. Most are back to normal the same day or the next.

Rockstar Treatment: nano-ablative plasma with growth-factor serum for early change

Rockstar is a nano-ablative treatment, meaning it takes off only a microscopic layer of surface skin. It works across the face and neck. It targets early laxity, fine lines and surface roughness.

Best for: patients in their forties and early fifties who want a real refresh without CAT-level downtime. It can be repeated monthly for ongoing skin upkeep. It fits into a lunch break, with no downtime.

CAT Resurfacing: full-face resurfacing for moderate to advanced photoaging

CAT Resurfacing stands for Continuous Adjustable Treatment. It is the full-face plasma resurfacing protocol. It does the job that ablative CO2 and erbium lasers used to do. That job is treating moderate to advanced photoaging (sun damage that ages the skin).

It treats:

• Moderate to advanced sun damage.
• Perioral lines.
• Rough texture across the cheeks, forehead and chin.
• Crepey skin across the lower face.
• Mild to moderate facial laxity that does not yet need Plexrplasty.

Visible downtime is about five to seven days, while the fine scabs are present. Pinkness fades over two to four weeks. Gains keep coming over twelve to twenty-four weeks.

Selection notes: CAT needs a careful skin-type check. Patients with darker skin tones get tailored protocol changes and slower titration (adjusting the treatment step by step). That is how we treat all six Fitzpatrick types (the standard scale of skin tone) year-round. Some patients need an exam and a timing change before treatment:

• Past keloid or hypertrophic scarring (raised, thick scars).
• An active acne or rosacea flare.
• Recent sun exposure.

More on this protocol in CAT Resurfacing for skin rejuvenation.

Plasma blepharoplasty: the non-surgical eyelid lift

Plasma blepharoplasty is the non-surgical eyelid lift. Blepharoplasty is the medical word for an eyelid lift. It treats the upper and lower eyelids. For upper-lid hooding (loose skin that drapes over the eyelid crease), the skin contracts at once and then keeps tightening. For loose, crepey lower lids, it gives visible tightening and smoother texture.

It does not treat severe ptosis (a drooping upper lid caused by a weak levator muscle). That is a muscle and tendon problem, and plasma cannot fix it. Those patients need to see an oculoplastic surgeon (an eye surgeon who specializes in eyelids).

Patient selection is the single most important variable here. The right patient has:

• Loose, excess skin rather than mainly bulging fat.
• Realistic goals.
• A suitable skin type and healing history.
• The will to commit to recovery and skin care.

Downtime is about five to seven days of visible healing. Fine dark scabs form and clear over the week. Patients skip eye makeup during the scab phase. Results hold for two to three years in most patients before any upkeep is needed.

Weighing this against surgery? Read non-surgical blepharoplasty vs surgery.

Plexrplasty: the most intensive plasma protocol

Plexrplasty is the most intensive plasma protocol we offer. It is used when the goal is the deepest tightening plasma can give without surgery. It treats advanced facial laxity, the kind that comes close to what a surgical lift treats.

Best for: patients who decline surgery. Also patients who cannot have surgery because of other medical conditions (comorbidity). And patients who want a level of result the lighter protocols cannot reach. Downtime is about seven to fourteen days. It gives the most pronounced tightening of any Plexr protocol. It does not copy each part of a surgical lift. But in carefully chosen patients, the visible gains come close to the surgical class, with a non-surgical recovery.

Wondering whether you are a candidate?
Your first visit at Arbour Longevity in Ann Arbor is $35 and includes an assessment of whether this treatment suits your skin. It is applied toward your treatment plan.
Book your $35 first visit Call (734) 436-3357

Who Is a Candidate for Plexr Resurfacing?

Plexr resurfacing suits adults who:

• Have skin laxity, photoaging, fine lines, perioral lines, eyelid changes or rough texture.
• Expect progressive change over weeks, not overnight results.
• Have a skin type that fits the planned protocol. Fitzpatrick types IV through VI get tailored changes and slower titration. We treat all skin tones year-round.
• Will commit to the after-care protocol, including strict sun protection.
• Do not smoke, or will stop through treatment and recovery.

Who Is Not a Candidate?

Plasma is not appropriate if you have any of the following:

• An active skin infection.
• An active herpes simplex (cold sore) outbreak. If you have a herpes history, we use acyclovir prophylaxis (a preventive antiviral) around treatment.
• An active severe acne or rosacea flare.
• Past keloid scarring at the treatment site.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Current isotretinoin (a strong oral acne medicine) use, or use within the past six months.
• Active autoimmune skin disease at the site.
• Active facial skin cancer.
• Recent facial radiation.
• Severe immunocompromise (a badly weakened immune system).

The full candidacy check happens at your first visit.

When Surgery Is the Better Answer

Most clinic websites leave this section out. Some patients should be referred to a surgeon. You will be told so plainly at your first visit.

• Severe dermatochalasis. Dermatochalasis means excess, sagging eyelid skin. When it is heavy enough to block part of your vision, surgery cuts the tissue away. Plasma tightens the skin; it does not cut it away.
• True ptosis. Drooping caused by a weak levator muscle or tendon is a mechanical problem. It needs eyelid surgery from an oculoplastic surgeon. Tightening the skin will not lift the lid.
• Primary fat herniation. Sometimes a lower-lid bag is bulging orbital fat (the fat cushion around the eyeball), not loose skin. Skin tightening then treats the wrong layer.
• Advanced, heavy facial sagging. When deep tissue has dropped a long way, a surgical lift moves it back. No energy device reaches that far.
• Expectations only surgery can meet. If you want one dramatic, immediate change rather than gradual improvement over weeks, surgery is the honest match.

Patients who are not a good fit are told so plainly and guided toward other options. That has always been the standard here.

Why Plasma Rather Than Laser?

Plasma closed the gap between non-surgical options and surgery from a new direction. Lasers took a different one. A laser sends energy as light at set wavelengths. A plasma device sends energy through a tiny arc of ionized gas. The arc forms between the device tip and the skin. Energy lands only at the exact point of contact. A highly trained provider controls the depth. This lowers the risk of heat damage to nearby tissue compared with a CO2 laser.

In skilled hands, the result is:

• Visible skin contraction within the first hour.
• A controlled scab pattern. It clears in five to seven days for moderate protocols and seven to fourteen days for the deepest one.
• Gradual collagen and elastin remodeling over the next twelve to twenty-four weeks.
• Durable tightening, smoother texture and more even tone.

A review of plasma skin regeneration confirmed these effects on histology (skin tissue examined under a microscope). Plasma treatment kept producing collagen. It reduced elastosis (sun-damaged, broken-down elastic fibers). Skin kept improving beyond one year after treatment. The safety profile was excellent. Demarcation lines are visible borders between treated and untreated skin. They are at times seen after CO2 resurfacing. None were reported (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology; Foster, Moy & Fincher, 2008; PMID 18789051).

For a direct device comparison, see plasma pen vs laser and Plexr vs CO2 laser.

What Does the Eyelid Evidence Actually Show?

A pilot study treated ten patients with three sessions of plasma exeresis (plasma removal of surface skin) for upper eyelid dermatochalasis. The team imaged the skin before and after with reflectance confocal microscopy (a scan that shows skin structure without a biopsy). Patients improved by 2.6 ratings on the facial laxity rating scale. In every case, collagen was reclassified as long, straight fibers. No serious adverse events occurred. The authors concluded plasma exeresis could be a valid solution for eyelid dermatochalasis. They noted that further studies are required (Dermatologic Surgery; Rossi et al., 2018; PMID 28930794).

A second study treated ten patients with dermatochalasis using plasma radiofrequency ablation over two sessions. All patients tolerated the treatments well, with no adverse effects and optimal aesthetic results. The authors concluded plasma could offer an effective alternative to eyelid surgery (Skin Research and Technology; Baroni, 2019; PMID 31535742).

These are small studies. They support plasma as a credible option for the right patient. They do not claim it equals surgery for each patient, and neither do we.

What to Expect at the Arbour Longevity Consultation

The $35 first visit has four goals:

1. Photo documentation. Standard photos for planning and tracking.
2. Skin check. Fitzpatrick type, photoaging, texture, laxity and pigmentation.
3. Protocol choice. Glass Lift, Rockstar, CAT, the plasma eyelid lift or Plexrplasty. Expected results, downtime and limits are stated plainly.
4. Informed consent and treatment planning. Risks, benefits, other options, after-care steps and pricing.

Each treatment is performed in person by Gandhi Bhattarai, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Anti-Aging/Functional Medicine BC, who is triple board certified.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which protocol I need?

Start with the table at the top of this page. Match your main concern to a protocol, then confirm it at your first visit. Two things you cannot judge on your own decide the protocol. One is your Fitzpatrick type and how it interacts with plasma depth. The other is whether your laxity is loose skin or deeper tissue that has dropped.

Is plexr resurfacing the same as CO2 laser resurfacing?

No. Plexr and laser are not the same physical method. A laser sends energy as light. Plexr sends plasma energy through a tiny arc of ionized gas. The outcomes overlap, since both create a controlled micro-injury that drives collagen remodeling. But healing, depth control and risk in darker skin types differ. Plasma gives precise point-by-point control, which suits delicate areas like the eyelids.

How is plasma blepharoplasty different from surgical blepharoplasty?

Surgical blepharoplasty cuts away extra skin. When needed, it also moves or takes out lower-lid fat. The plasma eyelid lift does not cut or remove tissue. It uses controlled plasma to vaporize tiny contact points on the eyelid skin. That triggers collagen contraction and remodeling. The skin tightens without incisions, sutures or anesthesia.

How long do plexr resurfacing results last?

Results from CAT Resurfacing, the plasma eyelid lift and Plexrplasty typically hold for two to three years before upkeep. Glass Lift and Rockstar results are shorter-lived and do best with a planned upkeep schedule. Aging goes on no matter what. So results last in the sense that treated skin stays ahead of where it would have been. They do not stop aging.

Will I scab? Can people tell?

Yes. The moderate and deeper protocols cause visible scabbing. CAT scabs last about five to seven days; Plexrplasty about seven to fourteen days. The pattern is fine, dark dots across the treated area. We provide after-care steps and healing products. The full recovery timeline walks through it day by day.

Can I have plexr treatment on darker skin?

Yes, in most cases, with tailored protocol changes. Fitzpatrick types IV through VI get slower titration and careful protocol choice. They also get steps to prevent post-inflammatory pigmentation (dark marks left after skin heals). The check happens at your first visit.

Is plexr resurfacing painful?

A numbing cream is applied before treatment. Most patients describe warmth, tingling or small pinpoints of heat, and tolerate it well. Discomfort while healing is usually mild. Gentle skincare and over-the-counter remedies manage it.

What does plexr resurfacing cost at Arbour Longevity?

Pricing varies by protocol, treatment area and number of sessions. The first visit is $35, credited toward your first treatment. Full published pricing is in Plexr plasma pen treatment cost. If you are pricing a full-face combination plan, see non-surgical facelift cost in Ann Arbor.

The Next Step

Have you been weighing eyelid surgery or a surgical facelift? Want to know whether plasma could get you there without surgery? The right next step is a first visit and skin check with a clinician who performs the full range of plasma protocols.

Arbour Longevity is Ann Arbor's longevity and regenerative medicine clinic. We serve Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan from 2217 Packard Street, Suite 15, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Hours: Thursday through Monday, 10:00 to 19:00, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Parking is free and directly outside, with no meters and no parking structure. Suite 15 is down a flight of stairs, so please call ahead if stairs are hard for you.

Book your $35 first visit or call (734) 436-3357. The $35 is applied toward your treatment plan.

References

According to PubMed, the clinical evidence cited in this article includes:

1. Rossi E, Farnetani F, Trakatelli M, Ciardo S, Pellacani G. Clinical and Confocal Microscopy Study of Plasma Exeresis for Nonsurgical Blepharoplasty of the Upper Eyelid: A Pilot Study. Dermatologic Surgery. 2018;44(2):283-290. PMID 28930794. DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001267
2. Foster KW, Moy RL, Fincher EF. Advances in plasma skin regeneration. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2008;7(3):169-179. PMID 18789051. DOI: 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2008.00385.x
3. Baroni A. Non-surgical blepharoplasty with the novel plasma radiofrequency ablation technology. Skin Research and Technology. 2020;26(1):121-124. PMID 31535742. DOI: 10.1111/srt.12774

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace an in-person evaluation. Individual results vary. Talk with a qualified clinician about your own situation.