OPUS Plasma for the Body | Metamorphosis Med Spa

OPUS Plasma is not just for the face. The same resurfacing technology improves texture, tone and laxity on the body, and is used to soften stretch marks, scars and crepey skin. We offer it at our physician-led med spa in Downers Grove, for patients from Westmont, Lisle, Woodridge, Darien and the rest of DuPage County.

How OPUS Plasma works

The OPUS handpiece uses radiofrequency energy to create tiny points of plasma just above the skin. Each one makes a microscopic treatment zone, while the untouched skin between them helps the area heal quickly. As the skin repairs itself it produces fresh collagen and elastin, so the treated area keeps improving for several weeks after each session.

Areas we treat

Abdomen: stretch marks and loose, crepey skin, including after pregnancy or weight loss.
Arms and legs: crepey skin on the upper arms, above the knees and on the thighs.
Chest and décolletage: fine lines and sun-damaged texture.
Hands: thin, crepey skin on the back of the hands.
Scars: surgical scars and acne scarring on the back or chest.

What OPUS Plasma can do for body skin

Stretch marks

Stretch marks are a form of scarring in the deeper layer of the skin. By prompting new collagen, OPUS Plasma can make them smoother, narrower and closer in color to the skin around them. Newer marks that are still pink or red tend to respond faster. Older, silvery stretch marks improve more slowly, and no treatment erases them completely.

Scars

Resurfacing blends the edges of a scar and evens out its texture, so it catches the light less and is less noticeable. We treat surgical scars, including cesarean scars, once they have fully healed, as well as acne scarring on the back, shoulders and chest. For scarring on the face, see our scar repair page.

Crepey skin

Thin, finely wrinkled skin on the upper arms, above the knees, on the chest and on the backs of the hands comes from a gradual loss of collagen and years of sun. Rebuilding collagen thickens and smooths the skin, so it looks firmer and less papery.

Is OPUS Plasma right for you?

Most adults who are bothered by stretch marks, scars or crepey skin are candidates. Because OPUS Plasma works with radiofrequency energy rather than light, it depends less on skin pigment than many lasers do, and we adjust the settings for each skin tone.

We will ask you to wait, or suggest a different approach, if you:

are pregnant;
have a pacemaker or another implanted electronic device;
have a rash, infection or broken skin in the area;
have taken isotretinoin recently;
have a sunburn or a recent tan on the area.

Tell us at your consultation if you are breastfeeding or if you tend to form raised or keloid scars, so we can plan around it.

What to expect

Before your appointment

Keep the area out of the sun and skip self-tanner for about two weeks beforehand.
Stop retinoid and exfoliating body products on the area for several days before treatment.
Wear loose, soft clothing that will not rub the treated skin on the way home.

During treatment

Comfort: a topical numbing cream is applied before treatment. Most people feel warmth and prickling as the handpiece passes over the skin.
Treatment time: this depends on the size of the area. The backs of the hands take a few minutes; the abdomen or both thighs take longer.

Recovery and aftercare

Downtime: expect redness and some swelling for a day or two, followed by tiny dots of fine crusting that flake away over the next several days. Skin on the body often heals a little more slowly than the face.
Skin care: keep the area clean and moisturized, and let the crusting come away on its own.
Activity: skip hot tubs, pools and hard workouts for the first few days.
Sun protection: keep the area covered or protected with sunscreen until it has fully healed, and for several weeks afterwards.

Sessions and results

A series of two or three treatments, spaced a few weeks apart, is commonly recommended. Stretch marks and scars may need more. Improvement is gradual, building over the weeks after each session as new collagen forms. Results vary from person to person. We will look at the area with you and set realistic expectations at your consultation.

Planning around a Chicago-area summer

Treated skin has to stay out of the sun while it heals, so the cooler months are the easiest time for body resurfacing. Sleeves and long pants keep arms, legs and the abdomen covered through a Chicago-area winter, and a series started in the fall or winter is finished before shorts and swimsuit season returns. Treatment at other times of year is possible; it simply takes more care with clothing and sunscreen.

Body skin resurfacing near Downers Grove

Metamorphosis Med Spa is a physician-led practice inside the professional building at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, at 3825 Highland Ave, Suite 5G, Downers Grove. We see patients from neighboring Westmont, Lisle, Woodridge and Darien, and from Hinsdale, Naperville and elsewhere in the western suburbs.

Consultations are complimentary, and we offer weekday and Saturday-morning appointments. Call 630.968.1100, or see our contact page for a map and directions.

Frequently asked questions

Can OPUS Plasma remove stretch marks completely?

No treatment removes stretch marks entirely. The aim is to make them smoother and less visible, and most people see a worthwhile improvement over a series of sessions.

Does it work on old scars?

Often, yes. Mature scars can still be smoothed and blended, although they usually need more sessions than newer ones.

How soon after pregnancy or surgery can I be treated?

We do not treat during pregnancy, and a surgical scar needs to be fully healed first. We will advise on timing for your situation at your consultation.

Does body treatment hurt more than the face?

Most people find it similar. Numbing cream is applied first, and the skin feels warm, like a sunburn, for a few hours afterwards.

How much does OPUS Plasma for the body cost?

Cost depends on the size of the area and the number of sessions. We will give you a clear quote at your consultation, and payment plans are available.

Interested in resurfacing for fine lines and texture on the face? See OPUS Plasma for the face.