How Lipo 360 with J-Plasma Works
Lipo 360 is an excellent tool for removing excess fat, but it works best in those with very elastic skin that is able to easily conform to the body’s new contours. If the skin is less elastic, it could sag a bit after the procedure.
J-Plasma, also known as Renuvion, is a cutting-edge technology that uses cold helium plasma and radiofrequency (RF) energy to tighten the skin. It is often used in conjunction with liposuction to enhance skin contraction and improve overall contouring results.
After the liposuction, a small incision is made to insert the J-plasma device beneath the skin. When activated, the device emits a stream of cold helium plasma and RF energy, which causes the skin to contract and tighten. The plasma energy creates controlled heat, which stimulates collagen production and promotes skin tightening.
J-Plasma Versus Laser Liposuction
Many plastic surgeons promote something called laser liposuction. Laser liposuction involves heating the fat to make it easier to remove and heating the skin to help it contract. Unfortunately, the line between just enough heat to be effective and too much heat which can cause burns, blood vessel damage, and tissue damage, is very thin. Even the most highly skilled surgeons can easily make mistakes. This results in severe bruising and potential burns after the surgery. This can make the recovery process longer and far less comfortable.
Instead of laser liposuction, Mia Aesthetics uses J-Plasma technology. J-Plasma heats up the skin and fat as well, but it does so to a much more tolerable degree that the body can handle. The radio-frequency waves produce heat while the helium produces a cooling effect, ensuring that the applied heat doesn’t cause burns or skin damage. This safety benefit is the main reason why we offer it over other methods.
Who is a Good Candidate for Lipo 360 With J-Plasma?
Patients often want to know if adding J-Plasma to their lipo 360 procedure is worth it. For many patients, the answer is yes, but not everyone needs or wants this procedure. When adding J-Plasma to a lipo 360 you must, of course, first be a good candidate for lipo 360. This means being a relatively healthy nonsmoker who is close to their goal weight.
Adding J-Plasma to a lipo 360 is appropriate for patients who have mild to moderate skin laxity in the areas that lipo 360 treats, including the abdomen, flanks, and lower back. If you already have some loose skin in the treatment areas, or are concerned that lipo 360 might leave you with sagging skin, you should talk to your surgeon or surgical coordinator about adding J-Plasma to your liposuction procedure.
Benefits of Combining Lipo 360 and J-Plasma
Ultimately, time and age come for us all. As a result, many lipo 360 candidates already have some sagging skin within the lipo 360 area. Others know that since skin elasticity decreases with age, it’s possible that removing excess fat can leave behind sagging skin. Combining lipo 360 with J-Plasma offers several enhanced benefits that can significantly improve body contouring results. Here are the key advantages of combining these two procedures:
- Enhanced Skin Tightening: While lipo 360 effectively removes fat, J-Plasma helps the skin retract and tighten over the newly contoured areas, providing a smoother and more toned appearance.
- Improved Body Contouring: The combined procedures lead to superior body contouring results, with both fat reduction and skin tightening contributing to a more sculpted and youthful look.
- Minimized Risk of Sagging Skin: Patients can achieve a firmer and tighter skin appearance, addressing one of the common concerns with traditional liposuction alone.
- Boosted Confidence and Satisfaction: The overall body shape and skin quality enhancement can significantly boost self-esteem and confidence.
Before and After Expectations
Adding J-Plasma to a lipo 360 procedure does result in a bit more swelling and bruising than lipo 360 alone. Happily, most patients don’t experience any additional pain or discomfort when they add J-Plasma to their procedure. Although J-Plasma can extend recovery times in some people, patients are typically still able to return to work in one to two weeks as expected after any lipo 360 procedure.
The long-term benefits of tighter, smoother skin can outweigh the slightly extended initial recovery period, making the combination highly beneficial for suitable candidates. It can take up to nine months to see the final results of skin tightening, however, since the procedure stimulates your body’s own natural collagen production which then needs time to work.
As great as J-Plasma is, it can’t stop the clock. As you age, your skin could start to sag a bit as it naturally loses its elasticity. You have at least five years after a J-Plasma procedure before you need to worry about this, however, and many patients enjoy their results for much longer. As is always true with a lipo 360 procedure, you can help to preserve your results by living a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a stable weight.
Potential Side Effects
Like all surgical procedures, lipo 360 with J-Plasma has the potential for side effects. The potential side effects of lipo 360 remain the same whether you add J-Plasma to the procedure or not. Adding J-Plasma, however, does add a few potential complications. These include:
- Changes in skin color
- Nerve damage
- Bleeding
- Gas trapped inside the body
- Burns
We always want you to understand the risks associated with any procedure because potential surgical complications are quite real. It should be noted, however, that Apyx Medical Corporation, the creators of J-Plasma, reports that serious complications occur in only about 0.06% of cases.
Even with such low odds, Mia Aesthetics takes these potential risks seriously and works to mitigate them in any way we can. This includes making sure our surgeons have adequate training on the proper and safe usage of J-Plasma.