The Plasma Pen (also known as a plasma fibroblast pen or pen-type electrocautery device) is a versatile tool for removing moles, warts, skin tags, age spots, and other skin lesions. This guide covers the complete procedure for safe and effective use in a professional beauty salon setting.
How the Plasma Pen Works
The Plasma Pen generates a high-frequency electrical current that creates a tiny plasma arc between the needle tip and the skin. When this arc contacts the skin, it causes precise thermal coagulation (carbonization) of the targeted tissue. The process works similarly to a CO₂ laser but at a much lower cost, making it accessible for beauty salons.
- Operating temperature: Up to 2000°C at the tip, but with extremely precise, micro-scale contact
- Mechanism: Carbonizes and vaporizes the targeted tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding skin
- Healing: Treated area forms a scab that falls off naturally in 5–10 days, revealing new skin underneath
Indications
- Pigmented moles (raised or flat, benign only)
- Skin tags (acrochordons)
- Common warts and flat warts
- Age spots / senile lentigines
- Seborrheic keratosis
- Milia (oil granules)
- Cherry angiomas
- Small acne scars (skin resurfacing)
Contraindications
- Suspicious or changing moles (refer to dermatologist — never treat malignant lesions)
- Active skin infection in the treatment area
- Herpes simplex outbreak (cold sores)
- Keloid-prone skin
- Pregnancy
- Cardiac pacemaker
- Bleeding disorders or clients on blood thinners
- Diabetes (impaired wound healing)
Step-by-Step Treatment Procedure
Step 1: Preparation
- Install the appropriate needle: fine needle for small, flat lesions; coarse needle for larger, raised lesions.
- Disinfect the needle with alcohol before use.
- Cleanse the treatment area thoroughly with alcohol — remove all oils, makeup, and skincare residue.
- For pain-sensitive clients: apply topical anesthetic cream (lidocaine/prilocaine) and cover with plastic wrap for 15–30 minutes. Remove and clean the area before proceeding.
Step 2: Device Settings
- Small, superficial lesions (freckles, small flat moles): Low power setting
- Medium lesions (raised moles, skin tags): Medium power setting
- Large or thick lesions (large moles, warts): High power setting
Always start at a lower setting and increase if needed. It is better to make multiple light passes than one aggressive pass that damages deeper tissue.
Step 3: Treatment Technique
For flat lesions (freckles, age spots):
- Hold the pen like a pencil, with your little finger as a support point for stability
- Lightly sweep the needle tip across the lesion surface in a grid pattern
- Do not press hard — let the plasma arc do the work
- The lesion should turn a light brown/gray color, indicating carbonization
For raised lesions (moles, warts, skin tags):
- Approach the lesion from the side/base
- Gently carbonize the lesion layer by layer from the surface downward
- For thick lesions, work in multiple short passes rather than prolonged contact in one area
- For skin tags: treat the stalk/base, and the tag will dry up and fall off in a few days
- Do NOT penetrate through to the dermis — stop when you see pink tissue underneath
For lesions near the eyes:
- Use the finest needle and lowest power setting
- Consider treating in two separate sessions for deeper lesions near the eye area
- Maintain at least 5mm distance from the eyelid margin
- Have the client close their eyes and keep still
Step 4: Immediate Post-Treatment
- Gently wipe away carbonized debris with a sterile cotton swab
- Disinfect the treated area with alcohol
- Apply a thin layer of repair/healing ointment (e.g., centella asiatica gel, vitamin E ointment, or medical-grade recovery cream)
Post-Treatment Care — Critical for Healing
- Days 1–7: Keep dry and clean
- Do not wash the treated area with water for the first 24–48 hours
- Avoid touching, rubbing, or scratching the scab
- Apply repair ointment 2–3 times daily
- Never pick at or forcibly remove the scab — this causes scarring and pigmentation
- Weeks 1–2: Scab脱落 Phase
- Scabs will naturally dry and fall off in 5–10 days
- New skin underneath will be pink — this is normal
- Continue gentle cleansing and moisturizing
- Weeks 2–4: Color Normalization
- Pink marks will gradually fade to normal skin color
- Absolute sun protection — SPF 50+ daily, avoid direct sun exposure
- Avoid cosmetics on the treated area until fully healed
- Important restrictions:
- No swimming, saunas, or hot springs for 2 weeks
- No spicy food, seafood, or alcohol for 1 week
- No makeup on treated area for 1 week
When to Re-Treat
- For deep or large moles: a second treatment may be needed after 4–6 weeks
- Never retreat an area that has not fully healed
- Some lesions require 2–3 sessions for complete removal
Disclaimer: This guide is for professional reference only. Plasma pen treatments should only be performed by trained professionals. Never treat lesions that show signs of malignancy (rapid growth, color change, irregular borders, bleeding). Always refer suspicious lesions to a dermatologist.