Dr. Mariano Busso is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. He is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in cosmetic fillers as acknowledged in the prestigious Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) by the president of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. C. William Hanke. Dr. Mariano Busso was honored to be a part of the FDA advisory panel that developed national guidelines for the use of cosmetic fillers. Over the past three decades, Dr. Busso has developed one of the largest cosmetic practices in the U.S. based in Miami, Florida, and has since expanded his practice to Beverly Hills, California to serve his celebrity clientele. As a Dermatology resident, Dr. Busso received the highest awards a resident can receive: the George Ioannides Teaching Award and the Upjohn Research Award. Dr. Mariano Busso has made numerous breakthrough discoveries throughout his career, with multiple contributions in the research field. He is viewed as a thought leader in his specialty and his views are sought-after by industry leaders including Allergan, Merz, Galderma, BTL, and NovaThreads. Notably, the scale to evaluate volume loss in the hands is called the “Busso Hand Volume Severity Scale.” After years of experience working with threads and fillers, he has developed the BussoLyft, which removes dark circles and combines filler and threads to reduce jowls. His technique is proving to be the latest game-changer in rejuvenation. Haute Beauty discusses energy-based technologies, specifically, Nitrogen Plasma, with Dr. Busso that effectively help reduce facial wrinkles.

Photo Credit: ShutterstockHB: What technology-based options do you offer to address wrinkles in the face?

We are no longer using laser-based technologies to treat face or body wrinkles. Our favorite energy-based technology to address fine or deep facial wrinkles is Nitrogen Plasma. Sold under the name of Neogen, this technology addresses skin laxity, color, texture, and wrinkling.

HB: How does Nitrogen Plasma Rejuvenation work differently from laser-based technologies?

Nitrogen Plasma Rejuvenation (NPR) works through a completely different mechanism of action than light-based technologies such as lasers. In NPR, nitrogen gas is ionized and heated becoming plasma, the fourth state of matter. Nitrogen plasma penetrates through the skin reaching the deepest layers leaving the superficial layers relatively intact. So the skin changes start from the inside out. This fundamental difference between laser resurfacing technologies allows the treatment of darker skin types.

Photo Credit: ShutterstockHB: Who is the best candidate for NPR?

This technology is good for patients that want to improve skin texture, color, and laxity. When used with low energy settings, we can treat darker skin types, up to V, as well as body skin issues such as stretch marks or photodamage on the chest. It requires three treatments, one month apart. We can also treat the face with high energy levels. These settings can be used to treat lighter skin types. Although results are more dramatic, it takes 7 days to recover.

HB: Do you have a preferred method?

Nitrogen Plasma Rejuvenation is my favorite technology to treat skin laxity and wrinkling around the eyes in combination with the forehead to obtain a mild brow lift.

HB: What is the cost?

A full-face treatment at high energy levels costs $3,300, whereas, at low energy levels cost $800 per treatment and require three treatments.