Quick Read Summary (10 minutes)
If you are a woman in your forties, fifties, or sixties looking at the mirror and noticing the changes that used to send patients to plastic surgeons (upper-lid hooding, lower-lid bags, perioral lines that hold lipstick, jawline laxity, crepey neck skin), and you have been weighing surgical blepharoplasty or a facelift against the recovery time, anesthesia, and scarring that comes with surgery, plasma resurfacing is a category of treatments you should understand.
PlexrPlus, the medical plasma device used at Arbour Longevity, is an FDA-cleared technology that produces a microbeam of ionized gas. The plasma arc never touches the skin. What the arc does is sublimate the outermost cells of the epidermis at the exact contact point, producing a controlled micro-injury that stimulates fibroblast cells which helps collagen and elastin remodeling, and visible tissue retraction. The technology has been used in Europe for more than a decade and becoming highly popular in the US. In the right clinical hands, it produces results in the same visual category as surgical blepharoplasty for the upper and lower eyelids and meaningful tightening across the face, neck, and body, without incisions, sutures, general anesthesia, or the months of recovery that come with traditional surgery.
The five plasma protocols offered at Arbour Longevity, in order of intensity and downtime:
The Glass Lift is the new bio-botox+exosome+plexr protocol. It uses very superficial plasma application across the full face to refine skin texture, even tone, and produce immediate skin glow and botox is applied topically immediately after nano channels are opened. Downtime is none to minimal. Glass Lift is the appropriate starting point for younger patients (mid-thirties through forties), for patients between ablative plasma sessions, and for events where a luminous skin appearance is the goal.
The Rockstar Treatment is an exosome+plexr protocol that targets fine lines, mild laxity, and surface irregularities across the face and neck. The Rockstar is the appropriate choice for patients with early skin changes who want a meaningful refresh without the downtime of a deeper resurfacing.
CAT Resurfacing (Continuous Adjustable Treatment) is full-face plasma resurfacing for moderate to advanced skin changes. CAT replaces the territory that ablative CO2 and erbium laser resurfacing historically held, with downtime of approximately five to seven days for the visible scab phase and continued improvement over the following months as collagen remodels. CAT is the appropriate choice for patients with sun damage, perioral lines, deeper texture issues, and visible photoaging. It improves wrinkles and fine lines.
Plasma blepharoplasty (non-surgical eyelid lift) addresses the upper and lower eyelids with precise plasma application. Plasma blepharoplasty produces meaningful tightening of the upper eyelid hooding and lower eyelid laxity in carefully selected patients, with five to seven days of visible recovery and full settling over weeks.
Plexrplasty is the most intensive plasma protocol, used for advanced facial laxity that approaches what surgical lifting addresses. Downtime is approximately seven to fourteen days. Plexrplasty is the appropriate choice for patients with advanced facial laxity who are not surgical candidates, who decline surgery, or who want surgical-category results without an operating room.
Plasma resurfacing produces surgical-comparable results without incisions, but it is not for every patient. The technology relies on the skin’s own healing response. Patient selection (skin type, healing history, sun exposure, smoking status, expectations, and medical history) is the difference between an excellent outcome and a problematic one. At Arbour Longevity, the $35 consultation is structured around photo documentation, skin-type assessment, protocol selection, and informed consent for each of the protocols above.
Why plasma resurfacing has become the non-surgical facelift category
Plastic surgery has not gone anywhere. For some patients, a surgical facelift or blepharoplasty remains the right answer. What has changed is the gap between non-surgical options and surgery. For most of the last two decades, that gap was occupied by ablative laser resurfacing, which delivered meaningful results but came with significant downtime, hyperpigmentation risk in darker skin types, and a learning curve that limited it to a small number of practices.
Plasma resurfacing closed the gap from a different direction. The plasma arc is a different physical modality than a laser. A laser delivers energy as light at specific wavelengths. The plasma device delivers energy through a tiny arc of ionized gas that forms between the device tip and the skin. The energy is deposited only at the exact point of contact. The depth of effect is controlled by the the highly trained provider.It reduces the risk of thermal damage to the surrounding tissues compared to the CO2 Laser.
The result, in skilled hands, is a category of treatments that produces:
Immediate results of treated skin (visible within the first hour as collagen fibers contract under heat).
Sublimation of the most superficial epidermal cells at each contact point, producing a controlled scab pattern that resolves over five to seven days for moderate protocols and seven to fourteen days for the most aggressive protocol.
Progressive collagen and elastin remodeling over the following twelve to twenty-four weeks, as fibroblasts in the deeper dermis respond to the controlled injury and regenerates new structural tissue.
Durable skin tightening, texture improvement, and tone refinement that, in carefully selected patients, approaches the visual category of surgical lifting for the upper and lower eyelids and produces meaningful improvement for the perioral area, jawline, neck, and face overall.
Arbour Longevity protocol menu is organized by intensity, downtime, and the specific concern. The protocols are not interchangeable. The right protocol depends on what the patient is trying to address.
The Glass Lift: refinement and glow with no downtime
The Glass Lift is the entry point into the plasma treatment menu. It uses very superficial plasma application across the full face to refine skin texture, even out tone, and produce an immediate glow that develops further over the following days as the surface refreshes.
What the Glass Lift addresses:
Surface dullness and tired-looking skin.
Mild texture irregularity (the slight unevenness that catches light unflatteringly).
Uneven skin tone, texture damage, including light sun damage and post-inflammatory pigmentation in skin types where plasma is safe.
The need for a refresh between deeper sessions or before an event.
What the Glass Lift does not address:
Significant laxity. The Glass Lift is not a tightening treatment. Patients with meaningful skin laxity need CAT, Plexrplasty, or plasma blepharoplasty for the relevant area.
Deep wrinkles or scarring. The Glass Lift is too superficial to remodel deeper structures.
Downtime: typically none to minimal. Some patients experience light pinkness for twenty-four to forty-eight hours that responds to gentle skincare. Most patients return to normal social and professional activity the same day or the day after treatment.
Glass Lift is the right starting point for younger patients (mid-thirties through forties) who want to start building a long-term skin maintenance practice, for patients who are between deeper plasma sessions, and for patients preparing for events where a luminous skin appearance is the goal.
The Rockstar Treatment: exosome therapy with plexr for early changes
Rockstar Treatment is nano-ablative treatment that works on the superficial layer of skin, across the face and neck to address early laxity, fine lines, and surface irregularities.
What the Rockstar addresses:
Early laxity in the lower face and neck.
Fine lines that have not yet become deep wrinkles.
Skin that has lost the bright, taut quality of younger skin without showing dramatic photoaging.
Patients in their forties and early fifties who are looking for a meaningful refresh without committing to the downtime of CAT. This treatment can be done on monthly basis for someone who needs ongoing skin maintenance to preserve the Rockstar Look!
The Rockstar is the right choice for patients with early skin changes who want more than the Glass Lift can deliver but who are not yet candidates for, or not yet ready for, full CAT Resurfacing.
It can be done on your lunch break. No downtime.
CAT Resurfacing: full-face resurfacing for moderate to advanced photoaging
CAT Resurfacing (Continuous Adjustable Treatment) is the full-face plasma resurfacing protocol. It is the protocol that replaces what ablative CO2 and erbium laser resurfacing historically did for moderate to advanced photoaging.
What CAT addresses:
Moderate to advanced sun damage and photoaging.
Perioral lines (the vertical lipstick lines around the mouth that hold lipstick and resist filler alone).
Texture irregularities across the cheeks, forehead, and chin.
Crepey skin across the lower face.
Mild to moderate facial laxity that is not yet at the level requiring Plexrplasty.
Downtime: approximately five to seven days for the visible scab/scratch appearance. The pinkness fades over the following two to four weeks. Visible improvement continues over the following twelve to twenty-four weeks as collagen remodels.
CAT requires careful skin-type assessment. Patients with darker skin tones require specific protocol modifications to minimize the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation. Patients with a history of keloid or hypertrophic scarring, active acne or rosacea flares, or recent sun exposure require evaluation and timing adjustment before treatment.
The CAT result, in appropriately selected patients, is a meaningful refresh of the entire face, with texture improvement, tone refinement, and visible tightening that develops over the following months.
Plexr blepharoplasty: the non-surgical eyelid lift
Plexr blepharoplasty is the plasma protocol that directly addresses the upper and lower eyelids. It is the procedure that, more than any other in the plasma menu, occupies the space surgical blepharoplasty historically held for selected patients.
What plasma blepharoplasty addresses:
Upper eyelid hooding. The loose skin that drapes over the upper eyelid crease, makes eye makeup difficult, and gives the eyes a tired or heavy appearance. Plasma application along the redundant upper-lid skin produces immediate contraction and progressive tightening, lifting the upper lid and restoring visible lid crease in carefully selected patients.
Lower eyelid laxity and crepey lower-lid skin. The crepey, finely wrinkled lower-lid skin that develops with age, particularly in patients with significant sun exposure or a long history of expressive squinting. Plasma application across the lower lid produces visible tightening and texture refinement.
What plasma blepharoplasty does not address:
Severe ptosis (drooping of the upper lid from levator muscle dysfunction) is a muscular and tendon issue that plasma cannot correct. These patients need oculoplastic evaluation.
Downtime: approximately five to seven days of visible recovery. The treated lid skin develops fine dark scabbing across the treated area that resolves over the week. Patients are advised to avoid eye makeup during the scab phase. Most patients return to professional activity after the scab phase resolves, with continued settling of the result over the following two to four weeks.
Patient selection is the single most important variable in plexr blepharoplasty outcomes. The right patient is one with redundant skin envelope rather than primarily fat herniation, with realistic expectations, with appropriate skin type and healing history, and with willingness to commit to the recovery period and post-treatment skin care protocol.
The result, in appropriately selected patients, is visible upper-lid lift and lower-lid tightening that develops over the weeks following treatment, with durable results that hold for two to three years in most patients before any maintenance is needed.
Plexrplasty: the most intensive plasma protocol
Plexrplasty is the most aggressive plasma protocol offered at Arbour Longevity. It is the protocol used when the goal is the deepest plasma-driven tightening response available without surgery.
What Plexrplasty addresses:
Advanced facial laxity that approaches what surgical lifting addresses.
Patients who decline surgery for medical, personal, or financial reasons.
Patients who are not surgical candidates because of medical comorbidity or medication regimens that complicate operative recovery.
Patients who want a category of result that the lighter plasma protocols or laser treatments cannot reach.
Downtime: approximately seven to fourteen days for the visible recovery phase. Patients are advised to plan for two weeks of sun exposure restrictions, with progressive softening of the visible recovery over the second week.
Plexrplasty produces the most pronounced tightening of any plexr protocol and is the choice for patients with advanced laxity who want the deepest plasma-driven response. It does not replicate every aspect of surgical lifting, but in carefully selected patients it produces visible improvement that approaches the surgical category in a non-surgical recovery.
Who is a candidate for plexr resurfacing
Plexr resurfacing is appropriate for adults with skin laxity, photoaging, fine lines, perioral lines, eyelid changes, or texture irregularities, who:
Have realistic expectations and understand that plasma produces a category of result rather than a specific number.
Have skin types compatible with the planned protocol. Plexr is safe across a range of skin types when the protocol is matched to the skin. Fitzpatrick types IV through VI require specific protocol modifications and a slower titration to minimize the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation. Though it is safe with darker skin tones with pre-procedure skin care application.
Are willing to commit to the post-treatment skin care protocol, which is essential for outcome. Sun avoidance and strict sun protection during the healing phase is non-negotiable.
Are non-smokers, or are willing to abstain from smoking through the treatment and recovery period. Smoking impairs the healing response that plasma relies on.
Do not have active skin infection, active herpes simplex outbreak (acyclovir prophylaxis is used when herpes history is present), active severe acne or rosacea flare, or a history of keloid scarring at the planned treatment site.
Are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
Are not on isotretinoin or have completed isotretinoin at least six months before treatment.
Have no active autoimmune skin disease at the treatment site.
Plasma is not appropriate for patients with active facial skin cancer, recent radiation to the face, severe immunocompromise, or other conditions that impairs healing. The full assessment of candidacy happens at the consultation.
What to expect at the Arbour Longevity consultation
The $35 consultation for plexr resurfacing is structured around four objectives.
Photo documentation. Standardized photographs of the face, neck, and eyelids from multiple angles, used for treatment planning and for tracking results over time.
Skin assessment. Fitzpatrick skin type, photoaging assessment, evaluation of texture, laxity, and pigmentation. Areas suitable for treatment are identified and prioritized.
Protocol selection. Based on the assessment, the appropriate protocol (Glass Lift, Rockstar, CAT Resurfacing, blepharoplasty, or Plexrplasty) is selected, with discussion of expected results, downtime, and any limitations.
Informed consent and treatment planning. The risks, benefits, alternatives, downtime, recovery instructions, and pricing are reviewed. Treatment is scheduled for a follow-up visit, or same day availability or with sufficient time built in for any pre-treatment optimization (acyclovir prophylaxis for herpes-positive patients, skin preparation regimens, sun-exposure planning).
Patients who are not appropriate candidates are told so directly. Patients whose primary concern is better addressed by a different modality are counseled accordingly for alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
Is plexr resurfacing the same as a CO2 laser resurfacing?
No. Plexr and laser are different physical modalities. A laser delivers energy as light. Plexr delivers plasma energy through a tiny arc of ionized gas. The clinical outcomes overlap (both produce controlled micro-injury that drives collagen remodeling), but the recovery character, the depth control, and the risk profile in darker skin types differ. Plasma offers precise point-by-point control that is particularly well-suited to delicate areas like the eyelids.
How is plexr blepharoplasty different from surgical blepharoplasty?
Surgical blepharoplasty removes redundant skin and, when needed, redistributes or removes lower-lid fat. Plexr blepharoplasty does not cut or remove tissue. It uses controlled plasma application to sublimate small contact points on the eyelid skin and trigger collagen contraction and remodeling. The result is a tightening response in the skin envelope without incisions, sutures, or anesthesia.
How long do plexr resurfacing results last?
Results from CAT Resurfacing, plexr blepharoplasty, and Plexrplasty typically hold for two-three years before any maintenance is needed. Results from the Glass Lift and Rockstar Treatment are typically shorter-lasting and benefit from a planned maintenance cadence. Aging continues regardless of treatment, so results last in the sense of the visible improvement over the patient’s untreated baseline at that age, not in the sense of stopping the aging process.
Will I scab? Can people tell?
Yes, the moderate and intensive protocols produce visible scabbing. CAT Resurfacing produces approximately five to seven days of visible scratch looks. Plexrplasty produces approximately seven to fourteen days. The scab pattern is a fine, dark dot pattern across the treated area. We provide post-treatment instructions and recovery products to support the healing process.
Can I have plexr treatment on darker skin?
Yes, in most cases, with specific protocol modifications. Fitzpatrick skin types IV through VI require slower titration, careful protocol selection, and post-inflammatory pigmentation prevention protocols. The assessment happens at the consultation.
Is plexr resurfacing painful?
Plexr treatment is performed with topical anesthetic cream applied to the treatment area prior to the procedure. Most patients describe the sensation during treatment as warmth, tingling, or small pinpoint heat. The treatment is well-tolerated by most patients. Discomfort during the recovery phase is typically mild and responds to gentle skincare and over-the-counter symptom management.
How does plexr resurfacing fit into a broader longevity plan?
Skin is a structural organ that reflects underlying health. Plexr resurfacing is part of a broader approach at Arbour Longevity that often includes nutrition, hormone optimization (where indicated), peptide therapy (where indicated), and a sustained skincare regimen. The conversation at consultation includes how plasma fits into the broader plan rather than being treated as a stand-alone cosmetic intervention.
What does plexr resurfacing cost at Arbour Longevity?
Pricing varies significantly by protocol, treatment area, and the number of sessions needed. The initial consultation is $35 (credited toward your first treatment). Specific pricing is reviewed at consultation once the protocol is selected and the treatment plan is built. Plasma resurfacing is a clinical procedure performed in a medical practice; it is not discounted, packaged with daily-deal sites, or sold below the standard of care.
The next step
If you have been considering surgical blepharoplasty or a surgical facelift and want to understand whether plasma resurfacing offers a path to surgical-category results without surgery, the right next step is a consultation and skin assessment with a clinician who performs the full range of plasma protocols.
Visit our website: arbourlongevity.com
Arbour Longevity is Ann Arbor’s luxury longevity and regenerative medicine clinic, serving Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan from 2217 Packard Street, Suite 15, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Hours: Thursday through Monday, 10am to 7pm. Initial consultation $35.
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- Rossi E, Farnetani F, Trakatelli M, et al. (2019). Clinical and confocal microscopy study of plasma exeresis for nonsurgical blepharoplasty of the upper eyelid. Dermatologic Surgery 45(3):419-427.
- Gloster HM, Roenigk RK. (2019). Plasma resurfacing: a review of the physical principles and clinical applications. Dermatologic Surgery.
- Foster KW, Moy RL, Fincher EF. (2008). Advances in plasma skin regeneration. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 7(3):169-179.
- Gladstone Clinic. (2024). Plexr Plus: The Future of Non-Surgical Skin Rejuvenation. https://www.gladstoneclinic.com/plexr-plus-the-future-of-non-surgical-skin-rejuvenation-at-gladstone-clinic/
- Plasmatology Group. (2024). Plexr Plus Non-Surgical Blepharoplasty. https://www.plasmatologygroup.com/post/plexr-plus-non-surgical-blepharoplasty
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