Why is Nurse Ellie opting to use a lower energy when it comes to NeoGen treatments?

When using the NeoGen device for skin treatments, which employs Nitrogen Plasma technology, the trend towards opting for lower joules (energy settings) over higher joules has to do with a balance between effective results, minimising downtime, and ensuring patient comfort.

Here are some reasons why I am loving using lower joules recently:

- Reduced Downtime: Higher joule settings can lead to more significant erythema (redness), swelling, and prolonged healing times. Lower joules typically result in less intense immediate erythema, which minimises these side effects and speeds up recovery.

- Gradual/Incremental Collagen Stimulation: With lower joules, the skin undergoes more controlled, incremental energy delivery. This allows for a series of treatments that gradually improve the skin over time without risking the extreme reactions that higher joules might trigger. It’s often better to opt for multiple, less aggressive treatments rather than one very high-energy session.

- Less Risk of Hyperpigmentation: Higher joules, especially when used in darker skin types, increase the risk of hyperpigmentation or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Lower joules reduce this risk while still delivering therapeutic effects.

- Improved Patient Comfort: Higher joules tend to cause more discomfort during the treatment. Using lower joules allows the procedure to be more tolerable for the patient, without needing excessive numbing or post-care.

- Targeting the Skin’s Needs: Lower joules can effectively target a range of skin issues, such as fine lines, texture, and tone, with minimal risk. It's often more effective to build up energy over several sessions, providing more uniform results.

- Customisable Treatments: By using lower joules, myself and Kate can easily adjust the energy settings based on the patient’s specific skin condition and treatment goals. This customisation enhances the overall safety and effectiveness of the treatment.

Ultimately, the shift towards lower joule treatments with the NeoGen is driven by patients’ desire for more comfortable procedures with less downtime, while still achieving consistent, natural-looking results over a gradual period. This approach not only reduces the risk of complications but also delivers the incredible benefits of improved skin tone, texture, acne, and elasticity. 

While higher energy settings may offer faster, more dramatic results, they often come with increased risks of irritation, discomfort, and extended recovery times. Lower joules, however, allow for more controlled, gradual improvements with minimal recovery, making it an ideal choice for patients seeking subtle, long-term skin enhancements.