Pixel RF – fractional micro-plasma in Wrocław
Pixel RF is the micro-plasma handpiece of the Alma Beauty SpaDeep system, which we use at our clinic in Wrocław, ul. Barlickiego 31/1U. The treatment combines two actions in a single pass of the handpiece: controlled vaporisation of the epidermis at thousands of micro-points, and heating of the dermis with radiofrequency energy. We use it to treat scars and stretch marks and for skin resurfacing, in patients for whom topical care is not sufficient.
The key practical feature: micro-plasma is not light, so melanin does not absorb it. We perform the treatment in patients of all skin phototypes, I to VI, including after sun exposure and throughout the year. This is a difference that genuinely changes the availability of scar and stretch-mark treatment during the summer months.
How Pixel RF micro-plasma works
The handpiece does not deliver light energy to the skin. High-frequency radiofrequency ionises the nitrogen and oxygen in the air immediately above the skin surface. This creates micro-plasma — brief discharges that vaporise the epidermis at very small, separated points. The manufacturer describes this technology as InMotion Refractive Radiofrequency Micro Plasma.
At the same moment, radiofrequency energy travels deeper and heats the dermis around each micro-channel. Two zones of action are produced:
- Ablative micro-channels in the epidermis, which initiate the repair process and renewal of the surface layer of the skin.
- A zone of thermal effect in the dermis around the channels, which stimulates fibroblasts to produce new collagen.
Between the micro-channels the skin remains intact. It is this skin that serves as the reservoir of cells from which the epidermis is rebuilt, which is why healing after a fractional treatment is considerably faster than after a treatment covering the entire surface.
The depth and intensity of ablation are set before the treatment. For scars and stretch marks we work more intensively and at specific points; for skin resurfacing, more gently and across the whole area. The same handpiece therefore allows both a treatment requiring several days of recovery and a treatment after which the patient returns to work the following day.
Micro-plasma versus fractional laser — when to use which
Our clinic also uses an ablative fractional Er:YAG 2940 nm iPixel laser. Both methods lead to skin remodelling, but they differ in the carrier of the energy and therefore in their range of application. Micro-plasma does not replace the laser — it extends what is possible.
| Feature | Pixel RF micro-plasma | Fractional Er:YAG 2940 nm laser |
|---|---|---|
| Energy carrier | Radiofrequency ionising the air above the skin | Light absorbed by water contained in the tissue |
| Influence of skin pigment | Melanin does not absorb the energy | Melanin is relevant to the safety of the treatment |
| Skin phototype | I–VI | Greater caution in darker phototypes |
| Tanned skin | Treatment possible | A waiting period after sun exposure is required |
| Season | All year round | September to March |
| Thermal effect in the dermis | Pronounced, covering a wide zone around the channel | Limited; the laser acts precisely by ablation |
| Most frequent use in our clinic | Scars, stretch marks, skin resurfacing in summer | Scars and skin resurfacing in the autumn and winter season |
The choice of method is made during the consultation, after the lesion has been examined. In some patients we carry out a mixed series, adapted to the time of year.
Indications for Pixel RF
- Post-acne scars — atrophic, boxcar and rolling types, and uneven cheek texture following acne.
- Post-surgical and post-traumatic scars — hypertrophic, retracted and hypopigmented, including scars older than one year.
- Stretch marks — on the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms and breasts; both recent, red marks and established, white ones.
- Fine and superficial wrinkles — around the mouth, on the cheeks, forehead and periorbital area.
- Photodamaged skin — thickened epidermis, rough surface, uneven pigmentation.
- Enlarged follicular openings and uneven skin texture.
- Mild skin laxity, where an improvement in surface quality is also required.
What the treatment will not change
We state this directly, because the most common reason for disappointment after scar treatment is the expectation of a result that no method can deliver.
- Complete removal of scars is not possible with any available method. The aim of treatment is to flatten the scar, even out the surface and bring its colour closer to the surrounding skin.
- Stretch marks do not disappear. They are permanent damage to the fibres of the dermis. The treatment improves their texture and reduces their visibility, most markedly in recent stretch marks.
- The treatment does not lift sagging tissue and does not replace a surgical procedure or thread lifting.
- It does not remove established wrinkles arising from the action of the facial muscles.
- It does not treat active acne. Inflammatory lesions must be brought under control first — scar treatment begins only once the disease has been suppressed.
The treatment step by step
- Consultation and qualification. The doctor examines the lesions, determines the type of scarring, assesses the skin phototype and takes a history with regard to contraindications. We agree the number of treatments and the price of the whole series.
- Documentary photograph. Taken under reproducible conditions, so that the result can be assessed reliably once the series is complete.
- Cleansing and anaesthesia. Anaesthetic ointment is applied to the treatment area for 20–30 minutes. For gentle treatments it is sometimes unnecessary.
- The treatment. The handpiece is moved in a sliding motion or applied at specific points. The sensation is described as heat and prickling, comparable to fine sparks. Working time ranges from a few minutes for a single scar to 30–90 minutes for a large area.
- Completion. Cooling, a regenerating preparation and sun protection. Written aftercare instructions are provided.
- Follow-up. We see the patient again once the skin has healed, before the next treatment in the series.
How to prepare for the treatment
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks before | Discontinue topical retinoids. Avoid sunbeds. |
| 2 weeks before | Avoid chemical peels, microdermabrasion and mechanical exfoliation in the treatment area. |
| 7 days before | Report recurrent herpes simplex — antiviral prophylaxis is then introduced. |
| 3 days before | Do not use self-tanning products in the treatment area. |
| On the day of treatment | Attend without make-up, with clean skin, free of lotions and oils. Plan the journey home without sun exposure. |
If the patient has taken oral isotretinoin, a waiting period applies after its completion, usually 6 months. Please report this during the consultation, as it affects the date on which treatment can begin.
The treatment series and results over time
A single treatment produces a visible but partial result. Collagen remodelling is a process spread over months, which is why the final outcome is assessed only after the series has been completed.
| Indication | Number of treatments | Frequency | When the result is assessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-acne scars | 3–5 | every 4–6 weeks | 3 months after the last treatment |
| Post-surgical and post-traumatic scars | 3–5 | every 4–6 weeks | 3 months after the last treatment |
| Recent, red stretch marks | 3–4 | every 4–6 weeks | 2–3 months after the last treatment |
| Established, white stretch marks | 4–6 | every 4–6 weeks | 3–6 months after the last treatment |
| Skin resurfacing, fine wrinkles | 2–3 | every 4–6 weeks | 2 months after the last treatment |
The next treatment is performed only once the skin has healed completely. If healing is slower, we move the appointment — we do not shorten this time in order to keep to a schedule.
Healing day by day
The course depends on the intensity of the treatment. Described below is a medium-intensity treatment performed on the face.
| Time | What happens to the skin | What is permitted |
|---|---|---|
| First hours | Redness and a sensation of heat, as after severe sunburn. | Cooling, regenerating preparation. |
| Days 1–3 | Swelling, itching, palpable roughness. A visible network of fine points. | Gentle washing with lukewarm water, emollient, sun protection. |
| Days 3–7 | Superficial exfoliation; the skin darkens and comes away in small flakes. | Do not pick. Mineral make-up is usually possible once exfoliation is complete. |
| Weeks 1–2 | The epidermis is restored; pink discolouration may persist. | Return to usual skin care, continue SPF 50. |
| Weeks 4–12 | Collagen remodelling in the dermis, gradual evening of the surface. | Next treatment in the series. |
After a gentle treatment aimed at skin resurfacing, redness usually lasts one day and exfoliation is discreet. After an intensive treatment performed on deep scars, 4–5 days of clearly visible skin reaction should be expected. We ask patients to plan the appointment around professional commitments and family events.
Aftercare
- Do not pick the exfoliating epidermis. This is the most common cause of post-treatment pigmentation and scarring.
- SPF 50 daily for at least one month, including on cloudy days and indoors where there is strong daylight.
- For 72 hours, no sauna, hot baths, swimming pool, strenuous exercise or sunbeds.
- For 7 days, no peels, retinoids, cosmetic alcohols or exfoliating preparations.
- Make-up only once exfoliation is complete, usually from day 5–7.
- Emollient several times a day, according to the instructions provided after the treatment.
- Increasing redness, pain worsening after day 2, purulent discharge or blisters — please contact the clinic without waiting for the follow-up appointment.
Possible sequelae
Expected and transient effects include redness, swelling, itching, a sensation of tightness and exfoliation. Less frequent are prolonged erythema, transient post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and exacerbation of herpes simplex in patients with recurrent infection; bacterial infection or scarring occur exceptionally. The risk is reduced by correct qualification, sun protection and adherence to the aftercare instructions.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Cardiac pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and metal implants in the treatment area.
- Malignant disease under treatment.
- Epilepsy.
- Active skin infection in the treatment area, including herpes simplex and inflammatory acne lesions.
- Coagulation disorders and anticoagulant treatment — these require individual assessment.
- Tendency to keloid formation.
- Uncontrolled diabetes and other conditions impairing wound healing.
- Treatment with oral isotretinoin and the waiting period after its completion.
- Use of photosensitising medicines — to be assessed during the consultation.
This list does not replace a consultation. The decision to proceed is made by the doctor after taking a history and examining the skin.
Pixel RF price list
| Area | Price |
|---|---|
| Cheeks | PLN 600 |
| Face | PLN 1000 |
| Face and neck | PLN 1300 |
| Neck | PLN 600 |
| Décolletage | PLN 500 |
| Forehead | PLN 400 |
| Periorbital area | PLN 400 |
| Chin and jawline | PLN 700 |
| Scars and stretch marks | Individual quotation, depending on the size of the area |
The price applies to a single treatment. For scars and stretch marks the amount is given during the consultation, after the lesions have been examined — the cost depends on the surface area, not on the number of scars. The final amount is stated before the treatment begins. We do not start the procedure without agreeing the price with the patient. The full list is available in our price list.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Pixel RF treatment painful?
The sensation is described as heat and fine prickling. For medium- and high-intensity treatments we use anaesthetic ointment applied 20–30 minutes beforehand, which makes the treatment well tolerated. Immediately afterwards a sensation of heat persists, similar to sunburn, subsiding within a few hours.
Can I have the treatment in summer, or with tanned skin?
Yes. Micro-plasma is not light and melanin does not absorb its energy, so the treatment is available all year round and in patients of all skin phototypes. Strict sun protection after the treatment is, however, mandatory — healing skin is particularly prone to hyperpigmentation.
How many days should be set aside after the treatment?
After a gentle treatment, usually one day. After a medium-intensity treatment, 3–4 days of visible redness and exfoliation. After an intensive treatment performed on deep scars, 4–5 days. The date is planned together during the consultation.
Will the treatment remove my post-acne scars completely?
No. Complete removal of post-acne scars is not possible with any available method. The realistic aim is to flatten the scars, even out the skin surface and reduce their visibility. In most patients a clear improvement is achieved, perceptible both visually and to the touch.
Will the treatment help with old, white stretch marks?
Yes, although the result is smaller than in recent stretch marks. White stretch marks require a longer series, usually 4–6 treatments. The improvement concerns above all the texture and smoothness of the skin. The colour of the stretch mark itself changes to a limited degree.
How does micro-plasma differ from microneedling mesotherapy?
Microneedling mesotherapy punctures the skin mechanically, without delivering thermal energy. Micro-plasma additionally vaporises the epidermis and heats the dermis, which provides a stronger stimulus for collagen remodelling. This, however, involves longer healing and the need to plan several days without sun exposure.
Is one treatment enough?
For skin resurfacing the result is sometimes satisfactory after two treatments. For scars and stretch marks a series is required — usually three to six treatments. During the consultation we state the expected number of treatments and the total cost, so that the decision can be made in full knowledge of the amount.
Can the treatment be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Most often we combine micro-plasma with firming radiofrequency and, on a separate date, with hydrating treatments. We do not perform exfoliating treatments on the same day. The treatment plan is arranged so that procedures complement rather than overlap one another.
Who performs the treatment at the HappyDERM clinic?
The treatment is performed after medical qualification at our clinic in Wrocław, ul. Barlickiego 31/1U. Consultations concerning scars and skin diseases are provided by dr n. med. Małgorzata Micał-Strąk.
Are the micro-channels created during the treatment visible?
Yes, for several days. Immediately after the treatment a regular network of very fine points is visible on the skin. Within 2–3 days the points darken, and between days 3 and 7 they exfoliate together with the epidermis. This is a normal course and not a complication — please do not pick them.
Why does a fractional treatment heal faster than one covering the whole surface?
Because intact skin remains between the micro-channels. It is the source of the cells that rebuild the epidermis over each point. In a treatment covering the entire surface there is no such reservoir and healing takes considerably longer. This is the advantage of the fractional method.
Is micro-plasma the same as the plasma used to remove skin tags and warts?
No. The physical principle is similar, but the application differs. Plasma devices used to remove skin lesions work at a single point and destroy an individual lesion in its entirety. Pixel RF micro-plasma works fractionally across a whole area, leaving the skin intact between the points — its purpose is to remodel the skin, not to remove a specific lesion.
Can I see how the handpiece works before booking a treatment?
Yes. On this page you will find the manufacturer’s film showing, in cross-section, the formation of micro-channels and the zone of thermal effect around them. During the consultation we also show the device and the handpiece themselves, and the treatment parameters are discussed before the procedure begins.
Booking an appointment
Consultations can be booked online, around the clock, or by telephone on 573 290 488 on working days between 10:00 and 18:00. You may also write to wroclaw@happyderm.pl.
HappyDERM Wrocław, ul. Barlickiego 31/1U, 50-313 Wrocław.
Related pages
- Alma SpaDeep radiofrequency — facial firming and body contouring (in Polish)
- Post-acne scars — treatment (in Polish)
- Fractional Er:YAG iPixel 2940 nm laser (in Polish)
- Price list (in Polish)