If you have loose skin, deep wrinkles, or hooded eyelids and you want a genuine tightening effect without going under the knife, plasma fibroblast is one of the most powerful non-surgical options available.
It is not a gentle treatment. It has more visible downtime than most non-invasive procedures. But the results are closer to what surgery delivers than almost any other non-surgical option, and they can last for years.
At Hourglass By Design in Clarkson, Perth, plasma fibroblast is part of our treatment menu for clients who need more intensive skin tightening than what RF or HIFU alone can achieve. It is a specialist treatment, and Fei assesses every client individually to make sure it is the right fit before anything happens.
Plasma fibroblast is a non-surgical skin tightening treatment that uses plasma energy to create controlled micro-injuries on the skin’s surface. These micro-injuries trigger a powerful healing response that tightens existing tissue and stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin.
A pen-shaped device is held just above the skin’s surface. It generates a tiny arc of plasma energy that jumps from the device tip to the skin without the device actually touching you. This arc creates a small dot of controlled thermal damage on the skin’s surface.
Each dot causes the surrounding skin to contract and tighten immediately. Over the following weeks and months, the deeper layers of the skin respond by producing new collagen and elastin fibres, which continues the tightening effect long after the treatment.
The dots form small carbon crusts that look like tiny brown freckles. These crusts fall off naturally within 5 to 10 days, revealing tighter, smoother skin underneath.
The name comes from fibroblast cells. These are the cells in the dermis (the deeper layer of your skin) that are responsible for producing collagen and elastin. The plasma energy stimulates these cells into overdrive, triggering a level of collagen production that continues for up to 12 weeks after the treatment. That ongoing collagen building is what gives plasma fibroblast its long-lasting results.
Plasma fibroblast is one of the only non-surgical treatments that can effectively tighten the eyelids. Upper eyelid lifting (non-surgical blepharoplasty) is the most popular use of this treatment. It reduces hooded or heavy eyelids by tightening and shrinking the excess skin, giving a more open, lifted eye appearance.
Beyond the eyelids, it is commonly used on crow’s feet and fine lines around the eyes, forehead lines, smile lines and nasolabial folds, the jawline and jowls, neck lines and loose neck skin, and lip lines (smoker’s lines).
Plasma fibroblast can also be used for skin tightening on the body. Common body treatment areas include the stomach (particularly post-pregnancy loose skin), upper arms, knees, chest, and any area where skin has lost its firmness due to ageing or weight changes.
On the body, the treatment works by tightening the skin around the area rather than removing fat. If fat reduction is the primary concern, a treatment like cryolipolysis or ultrasound cavitation would be more appropriate. Plasma fibroblast is specifically for skin laxity.
Plasma fibroblast can improve the appearance of certain scars and stretch marks by tightening the skin around them and stimulating collagen remodelling in the area. It is particularly effective on stretch marks where the surrounding skin still has some elasticity. For acne scarring specifically, RF microneedling is generally the stronger option as it works within the scar tissue itself rather than around it.
A topical numbing cream is applied to the treatment area before the session begins, usually left on for 20 to 30 minutes. Once the area is numbed, the plasma pen is used to create the controlled dots across the treatment zone. You will hear a small clicking sound and may feel a warm, tingling sensation with each arc. Most clients find it manageable with the numbing cream in place.
The length of the session depends on the area being treated. Eyelids might take 20 to 30 minutes. Larger areas like the stomach or forehead take longer.
This is where plasma fibroblast differs from most other treatments at Hourglass By Design. There is real, visible downtime.
Immediately after the treatment, the area will be red and may swell. Swelling is particularly noticeable around the eyes and can be significant for the first 2 to 3 days. The tiny carbon crusts (the brown dots) will be visible on the skin for 5 to 10 days. They must not be picked or scratched. They fall off naturally as the skin heals.
During the healing period, the treated area needs to be kept clean and protected from sun exposure. You will receive specific aftercare instructions. Following them closely makes a meaningful difference in how well the skin heals and how good the final result looks.
Most people can return to work and normal activities within a few days, but the dots will be visible during that time. If you have an event coming up, plan accordingly. This is not a lunchtime treatment.
You will see an immediate tightening effect as the plasma energy contracts the skin tissue. Once the carbon crusts fall off and the redness settles, the treated area looks visibly tighter and smoother.
The real magic happens over the following weeks and months. Your fibroblast cells continue producing new collagen and elastin for up to 12 weeks after the treatment. Most clients see the full result around the 3-month mark, with the skin continuing to feel firmer and look smoother as the collagen matures.
Results typically last 2 to 3 years depending on your age, skin condition, lifestyle, and sun exposure. Because the treatment stimulates genuine structural change in the skin, the improvements hold up over time, unlike treatments that rely on temporary effects.
Many clients see a significant improvement from a single session. For deeper wrinkles, more advanced skin laxity, or very hooded eyelids, 2 to 3 sessions may be needed to reach the desired result.
Sessions must be spaced at least 3 months apart. This is because the collagen production from each treatment continues for the full 12-week period, and you need to see the complete result before deciding whether another session is needed.
Fei will assess the area during your consultation and give you an honest recommendation on how many sessions are likely needed for your specific situation.
Hourglass By Design offers several skin tightening options, and each one works at a different level. Understanding where plasma fibroblast sits helps you choose the right approach.
HIFU works by delivering focused ultrasound energy deep into the SMAS layer of the skin for structural lifting. Plasma fibroblast works on the skin’s surface, creating controlled thermal damage that tightens and contracts the tissue from the outside in. HIFU has minimal downtime. Plasma fibroblast has visible downtime of 5 to 10 days. HIFU is better for overall facial lifting. Plasma fibroblast is better for targeted areas like eyelids, specific wrinkles, and localised loose skin. Some clients benefit from both at different times.
Radiofrequency skin tightening uses heat to stimulate collagen in the mid-layers of the skin. It is painless, has no downtime, and produces a gradual firming effect over multiple sessions. Plasma fibroblast is more aggressive, produces more dramatic results, but comes with visible healing time. RF is the better choice for mild laxity and ongoing maintenance. Plasma fibroblast is the better choice when you need a more significant, targeted correction.
RF microneedling delivers radiofrequency energy through fine needles into the dermis. It is excellent for skin texture, acne scarring, pores, and moderate tightening. Plasma fibroblast works on the skin’s surface and produces a stronger tightening and contraction effect on localised areas. For overall skin quality improvement, RF microneedling is the stronger choice. For targeted tightening on specific areas like eyelids or deep wrinkles, plasma fibroblast delivers more dramatic results.
Plasma fibroblast is a good fit for people with mild to moderate skin laxity who want a non-surgical tightening option, those with hooded or heavy upper eyelids, anyone with specific wrinkles or areas of loose skin they want to target precisely, and people who are comfortable with 5 to 10 days of visible healing time in exchange for long-lasting results.
It works best on lighter skin tones (typically Fitzpatrick skin types 1 to 3). Darker skin tones carry a higher risk of pigmentation changes with this treatment, which is why a thorough consultation and skin assessment is essential before proceeding.
Plasma fibroblast is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for darker skin tones where the risk of pigmentation changes is higher, for those with active skin infections or eczema in the treatment area, for people prone to keloid scarring, for those with pacemakers, or for anyone currently using Accutane.
Fei will assess your skin type and medical history during your consultation before any treatment is booked.
Hourglass By Design is a specialist non-invasive body sculpting and skin treatment clinic. Plasma fibroblast is the most intensive skin tightening treatment in our menu, and we take the consultation process seriously because the treatment demands it.
Our clinic is in Clarkson in Perth’s northern suburbs, convenient for clients across Joondalup, Mindarie, Quinns Rocks, Wanneroo, Butler, and the surrounding area.
Fei assesses every client individually. If plasma fibroblast is the right treatment for your concern, she will build a plan around it. If a gentler approach like HIFU or radiofrequency would be more appropriate, she will tell you.
We offer the full range of non-invasive treatments under one roof, including fat freezing for stubborn fat, EMS for muscle definition, and vacuum therapy for cellulite and contouring. Whatever your body sculpting or skin goals, we can build a plan that covers everything.
Does plasma fibroblast hurt?
A numbing cream is applied before treatment, which makes it manageable. You will feel a warm tingling with each arc of the plasma pen. Most clients find it comfortable with the numbing in place.
How long is the downtime?
Expect 5 to 10 days of visible healing. Small carbon crusts (brown dots) will be on the skin during this time, and some swelling is common, particularly around the eyes for the first 2 to 3 days. You can return to normal activities within a few days, but the dots will be visible.
How long do the results last?
Results typically last 2 to 3 years. Some clients experience longer-lasting results depending on lifestyle and skin care. The treatment produces genuine structural collagen change, so the results are real and hold up over time.
Can plasma fibroblast lift hooded eyelids?
Yes. Non-surgical eyelid lifting is the most popular use of this treatment. It tightens and shrinks excess skin on the upper eyelids, giving a more open, lifted appearance.
Is plasma fibroblast safe for all skin types?
It works best on lighter skin tones (Fitzpatrick types 1 to 3). Darker skin tones carry a higher risk of pigmentation changes. Your consultation will include a full skin assessment to determine suitability.
How many sessions do I need?
Many clients see significant results from a single session. For deeper wrinkles or more advanced laxity, 2 to 3 sessions spaced at least 3 months apart may be recommended.
Can I combine plasma fibroblast with other treatments?
Yes, but not at the same time on the same area. Plasma fibroblast needs its full healing period before other treatments are applied to the same zone. It can be combined with treatments on different areas of the body within the same overall plan.
What is the difference between plasma fibroblast and a surgical facelift?
A surgical facelift physically removes excess skin and tightens the underlying tissue through incisions. Plasma fibroblast tightens skin non-surgically using plasma energy on the surface. The results are less dramatic than surgery but the cost is significantly lower, there is no anaesthesia, and the recovery is days rather than weeks or months.
If you have loose skin, hooded eyelids, or deep wrinkles that need more than a gentle treatment can deliver, plasma fibroblast could be the right next step.
Book a consultation at Hourglass By Design in Clarkson. Fei will assess your skin, talk through what is achievable, and give you an honest recommendation on whether this treatment is right for you.
Disclaimer
Due to the nature of non-surgical & non-invasive cosmetic treatments, results cannot be guaranteed and will vary from person to person. Factors such as lifestyle, medical history and age can affect both the outcome and longevity of results. These treatments and products are intended for cosmetic purposes only and are not designed to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition.
