NeoGen Plasma: The Future of Skin Regeneration or Just Another Device?
NeoGen Plasma has been promoted as a bridge between non-invasive rejuvenation and true resurfacing. It promises visible improvements in texture, tone and firmness with adjustable downtime. But how does it really compare to gold-standard treatments like fully ablative CO₂ laser resurfacing?
What Is NeoGen Plasma?
NeoGen uses nitrogen plasma – energised gas – to deliver controlled thermal energy to the skin. Unlike lasers, it does not rely on melanin or water as chromophores. This makes the treatment effectively colour-blind and, in experienced hands, suitable for a wider range of skin types.
A key difference is that NeoGen leaves the epidermis initially intact. This outer layer acts as a natural biological dressing while the deeper layers of the skin undergo controlled thermal regeneration. Over the following weeks and months, the skin can become smoother, brighter and more resilient.
What NeoGen Plasma Does Well
1. Skin Regeneration Rather Than Surface Ablation
NeoGen is designed to stimulate the skin to rebuild itself from within. Histological studies show increases in Type I and Type III collagen, improvements in elastin architecture and a measurable thickening of the dermis. Clinically, patients often notice:
- Softer fine lines
- Improved texture
- More even pigmentation
- A subtly firmer overall feel
This regenerative quality places NeoGen ahead of many low-energy light or RF devices that mainly create short-term swelling.
2. Suitable for a Range of Skin Types
Because NeoGen does not target pigment directly, it can be used, with appropriate protocols, on darker skin tones. This is a practical advantage over some laser treatments which carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
3. Particularly Effective Around the Eyes
One of NeoGen’s strongest use-cases is periorbital tightening. It can soften crepey eyelid skin and fine lines around the eyes with a lower risk profile than aggressive CO₂ in the same area, especially for patients who are not ready for surgery or full resurfacing.
4. Adjustable Downtime
Treatment protocols can be tailored:
- Low-energy, multiple passes – gentle rejuvenation, minimal visible downtime.
- High-energy, single pass – deeper collagen remodelling, typically 7–10 days of downtime.
This flexibility makes NeoGen attractive to patients with different schedules, lifestyles and tolerance for redness or flaking.
Where NeoGen Has Limitations
1. It Cannot Replace Fully Ablative CO₂ Laser
For severe photoageing, deep etched wrinkles or significant textural damage, fully ablative CO₂ remains the gold standard. CO₂ can precisely vaporise damaged tissue and trigger profound collagen remodelling in a way that non-ablative devices simply cannot match.
In clinical practice, NeoGen delivers good improvements – but not the dramatic, “reset” type of result that high-energy ablative CO₂ resurfacing can achieve in carefully selected patients.
2. Less Effective for Deep Acne Scarring
NeoGen can soften mild acne scarring, but because it is non-ablative, it is less capable of breaking down established scar tissue than fractional ablative CO₂ or high-energy RF microneedling systems.
3. Operator Skill Matters
Although NeoGen is marketed as user-friendly, results depend heavily on the practitioner. Inexperienced or overly cautious protocols may under-treat and disappoint; overly aggressive settings in the wrong hands can increase the risk of complications such as hyperpigmentation.
In short: NeoGen is a credible and scientifically grounded platform, but it is not a direct substitute for fully ablative CO₂ when maximal resurfacing is required.
How NeoGen Compares to Other Technologies
Patients often want to know how NeoGen sits alongside other advanced treatments such as CO₂ resurfacing and RF microneedling. The broad pattern is:
| Concern | NeoGen Plasma | Fully Ablative CO₂ | RF Microneedling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine lines | ✔✔ | ✔✔✔ | ✔ |
| Periorbital tightening | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔ | ✔ |
| Deep wrinkles | ✔ | ✔✔✔ | ✔ |
| Pigmentation / sun damage | ✔✔ | ✔✔ | ✔ |
| Acne scars | ✔ | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔ |
| Typical downtime | Low–medium | High | Low–medium |
| Suitable skin types | All, with protocol adjustment | Best for I–III | All, with protocol adjustment |
Who Is NeoGen Plasma Best For?
Good candidates
- Patients seeking visible rejuvenation without the intensity of ablative CO₂.
- Those wanting improvement in eyelid and peri-orbital skin without surgery.
- Individuals with early to moderate signs of ageing: dullness, fine lines, mild laxity.
- Patients who prefer a non-laser option, or those unsuitable for laser for specific reasons.
- Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin types, treated with appropriate, conservative protocols.
Less suitable
- Deep, etched wrinkles looking for a near “reset” in a single treatment.
- Significant scarring where structural remodelling is required.
- Patients expecting CO₂-level change with minimal downtime.
- Individuals unable to follow post-treatment skincare and sun-protection instructions.
NeoGen at Santi London: Would We Offer It?
At Santi we focus on evidence-driven skin regeneration – from high-energy CO₂ resurfacing and Skin Lab diagnostics to PRP and advanced injectables. Devices are chosen on the basis of what they genuinely add, not how they are marketed.
Our considered view:
- NeoGen is credible, safe and capable of delivering good, measurable outcomes.
- Its strengths lie in peri-orbital rejuvenation and mid-intensity rejuvenation for patients who want visible results with moderate downtime.
- It should be seen as a complement, not a replacement, for fully ablative CO₂ and other high-energy resurfacing options.
In other words: NeoGen deserves a place in the conversation around regenerative aesthetics – but, like every device, it has a defined role rather than being a universal solution.
Final Thoughts
NeoGen Plasma is not mere hype. It is a meaningful, scientifically grounded technology that can significantly improve texture, tone and peri-orbital skin quality with adjustable downtime and broad skin-type suitability.
Where it excels is in:
- Peri-orbital tightening.
- Restoring luminosity and smoothness to mildly to moderately aged skin.
- Offering a non-laser route into regenerative treatments.
Where it falls short is in the very space where fully ablative CO₂ still dominates: deep wrinkles, severe photoageing and significant scarring. For those indications, CO₂ remains unmatched.
As the field of regenerative aesthetics continues to evolve, platforms like NeoGen will likely grow in relevance – provided they are used thoughtfully, on the right patients, and integrated into a broader, personalised treatment plan.