A new treatment for loose skin around the eyes gives the same results as traditional surgery but without the scarring, says Sue Moxley

What is non-surgical blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is treatment for the loose skin in the eyelids that can give your eyes a ‘tired’ look. Droopy, puffy skin around the eyes may also make you appear older than you are and impair your vision. The treatment is non-surgical and non-ablative: it does not use a scalpel or laser so allows quick and easy recovery.

How does it work?
The treatment uses Soft Surgery’s innovative Plexr device, the world’s first plasma-generator for skin sublimation. The Plexr forms plasma (by ionising atmospheric gases) to stimulate instant contraction and tightening of fibres around the eye. It makes tiny dots in the skin to sublimate (change from solid to gas) the superficial skin cells. The Plexr does not cause bleeding or damage to surrounding tissue, especially to the important deeper layer of skin (the basal lamina).

How long does the procedure take?
A standard session usually lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. You will be asked to arrive 30 minutes before the appointment, so that a topical numbing cream can be applied to the area to be treated. This helps minimise the risk of discomfort during the procedure.

Is the treatment safe?
The treatment is non-invasive, reliable, easy to implement and safe. It gives the same results as traditional surgery but without the scarring and unnecessary risk. Plexr has European CE marking, which means it complies with EU safety, health and environmental requirements. About 3200 Plexr devices have been sold worldwide, and only doctors with specialised training are authorised to perform Plexr treatments.

What are the side-effects?
Immediately after the procedure the treated area will be quite red and mildly swollen. Some swelling and mild discomfort may last for up to three days. At the site of each dot of treatment, a carbon crust forms straight away. Avoid touching these crusts for up to seven days, except to camouflage them with oxygenating post-procedure foundation. We recommend Oxygenetix for this purpose. Unusual side-effects include infection, scarring and a temporary change in skin pigmentation. You can help minimise the likelihood of these side-effects by following the post-treatment care advice.

Post-treatment care
Be very careful not to rub off the carbon crusts in the first seven days.You should also avoid applying moisturising cream until the crusts have fallen off naturally, and avoid all direct sources of heat – such as sun exposure, UV radiation and saunas – for four weeks.

How soon will I see the results, and how long will they last?
Most people see noticeable results after the first treatment, and these gradually improve in the following two to four weeks. You may need more than one treatment, depending on the results you are looking for.
The long-term effect depends on the number of treatments you have, your lifestyle and your normal ageing process. Typically, the results last for the same length of time as traditional, surgical blepharoplasty. The Plexr can also be used for scar correction and the removal of benign skin growths and lesions; the cost of treatment is around £1200.

FIND OUT MORE
This treatment is available from Dr Medispa,Harley Street, London, and Loughton, Essex
Tel: 020 8418 0362