PlexR Soft Surgery Information

This information has been prepared to help you make a decision about whether to have treatment with Plex Soft Surgery, its risks and benefits, and expected outcomes. PLEASE READ AND INITIAL EACH PAGE.

What is PlexR?

PlexR is a very safe, minimally invasive, and effective type of treatment that utilises plasma technology. Plasma consists of ionised particles which are charged. PlexR uses plasma to modify the skin by sublimation (turning the surface into gas). This beam generates heat and causes sublimation of the outermost part of the epidermis (outer layer of the skin), without damage to the surrounding or deeper structures of the skin. In doing so, the tissue underneath is protected from heat whilst the surface of the skin contracts and heals in order to effect results. Healing is quick and scar-free, improving skin elasticity and resulting in smoothness. PlexR is a very precise treatment which gives good correction with minimal downtime. The results are long lasting.

PlexR is still a relatively new treatment.

Commonly Treated Areas

• UPPER / LOWER Blepharoplasty (eye bag/eye lid)
• Wrinkle reduction / saggy or folded skin such as on the neck and sides of the face
• Perioral lines / smokers lines
• Scar tissue including acne scar treatment
• Seborrhoeic keratoses (age spots), fibromas, dermal nevi (skin coloured moles), lentigines (sun spots), and sun-induced skin lesions
• Tattoo removal

The Treatment

Local anaesthetic gel is applied to the treatment area, after which the area is treated with the appropriate PlexR device. Immediately, small brown patches will appear where the skin has been treated and in the case of wrinkle treatment, the area will show some immediate contraction. In certain cases, injected local anaesthetic (Lidocaine/Mepivacaine) will be used to give a more profound numbness. We will advise you of which anaesthetic is best suited to your procedure.

The area will be concealed with a medical-grade foundation to allow healing under this coverage. You must not apply any other makeup for 2-3 weeks after this. There will be redness, flaking, and itching of the treated area.

In the treatment of the eyelids (Blepharoplasty), you should expect swelling which may last up to 7 days. The eye is a very delicate area and different patients will react and swell differently - it is difficult to predetermine the extent of this. You may well be very swollen after treatment, and in the case of eyelid treatment, the extent of the swelling can be severe for several days.

Multiple treatment sessions may be required and your practitioner will inform you of this. Treatments will be scheduled 6-8 weeks apart, and a maximum of three treatment sessions are used to obtain a result.

How Should I Prepare?

• Please advise your clinician of any medication you may be taking. You must tell us if you are taking Antibiotics, blood thinners, or Isotretinoin. We also need to know if you suffer from cold sores. You may not receive treatment if you have active infections or open wounds on the area for treatment.
• You must be prepared to take time off work. After treatment, you will be swollen for several days. You will also have black/brown crusting on the treated area which will persist for up to two weeks after treatment. It will not look great and we suggest you prepare for this by taking time off work and informing your friends and family that you are having treatment as you will not be able to "get away with it".

What Should I Do After Treatment?

• Aftercare is as important as your treatment. If you do not perform good aftercare your results will be severely affected.
• You will notice little crusts on the treated area. These will be covered with concealer which we will give you as part of your treatment. You must not pick or scratch these, otherwise you will scar.
• Wash the area with the designated soap twice daily, then apply antiseptic as directed. The area should then be patted dry with a clean towel. Thereafter apply the medical-grade concealer to the treated area.
• Protect the treated area from sunlight, so the use of a high factor sunscreen (at least SPF30) for at least two months after treatment is mandatory. You must not use sunbeds in this time.
• Exercise, swimming, and normal skincare routines can be resumed once all the crusts have come off and the wound has settled down.
• The crusts can crack and ooze - if this happens, do not pick them. Apply your aftercare products and leave the area to heal.
• Smoking can cause problems with the blood flow to wounds and treatment areas. We advise you to quit.
• Do not use products other than those we tell you to apply during the healing period. This includes moisturisers, shower gels, and perfume to the area that has received treatment. Do not cover the area with plasters, it will scar!
• Failure to comply with aftercare instructions can result in diminished results and poor outcome, incomplete healing, skin textural changes, scarring, or pigmentation.
• Your review appointments are mandatory. These will be scheduled 7 days and then 14 days after your treatment. You must attend these. Failure to attend your follow-up appointments means that we cannot assess, reassure, and possibly help you should you need it.

Possible Risks and Complications

PlexR is a relatively safe treatment. After the initial swelling and crust formation, both of which are normal, there will be pink "baby" skin which will initially be itchy and then slowly achieve normal colouring. The risks include:

• Purpura (red-purple discolouration, bruising)
• Swelling (this is profuse and may last up to 7 days, especially on treatment of the eyes)
• Scabbing & Crusting (so-called Carbon-crust, which usually resolves within 5-10 days but can take significantly longer)
• Skin Color and/or Textural Changes (skin can remain pink for up to 4 weeks)
• Hyperpigmentation/hypopigmentation (darkening/lightening of the skin; transient or long term)
• Scarring (rare, possibly permanent if the proper aftercare instructions are not upheld)
• Reactions to local anaesthetic gel
• Infections at the treatment site
• Reactivation of cold sores (around the mouth) - should you suffer with cold sores please let your clinician know

These are all complications which are usually associated with poor aftercare. However, some patients may experience these even when good aftercare is exercised.

Things to Consider Before Commencing with Treatment

• PlexR is a new treatment and the procedure is relatively safe. However, complications can occur in the aftercare period if proper care is not taken.
• You must take it easy for two weeks. You will