How Much Does J-Plasma Cost?

• J-Plasma, now known as Renuvion, is a minimally invasive treatment for loose skin and wrinkles
• The cost can range from $700–$15,000, depending on multiple factors
• Although sometimes used to complement plastic surgery procedures, J-Plasma is not FDA-approved for this purpose

J-Plasma, recently rebranded as Renuvion, is a minimally invasive procedure used to smooth and contour the skin. It delivers plasma energy beneath the skin to address skin laxity, fine lines and wrinkles on the lower face and neck. Factors that determine your J-Plasma cost include how extensive the treatment is, your provider’s experience and your location. 

What Is Renuvion J-Plasma Skin Tightening?

During a J-Plasma procedure, your provider will make a small incision at the treatment site and insert a cannula, a thin tube, beneath the skin’s surface. The cannula delivers a stream of helium gas heated with radiofrequency energy to the target area, briefly heating the tissue. 

The heat immediately tightens skin and encourages long-term production of collagen, a key protein that maintains skin firmness and health. This precise technique allows the surrounding tissue to remain at cooler temperatures to lower the risk of damage.

J-Plasma is FDA-cleared as a standalone skin tightening treatment for the neck and chin only. The FDA has not approved J-Plasma for other areas of the body or as a complementary procedure during liposuction; however, some plastic surgeons do perform those procedures.

Good Candidates

Good candidates for this skin tightening procedure are men and women who:

• Are in good general health
• Have mild-to-moderate loose skin
• Are at a healthy weight (i.e., are not using the treatment for weight loss)

How Much Does J-Plasma Cost?

A J-Plasma treatment costs $5,800 on average but can range from $700–$15,000. Your total cost is determined by several key factors.

Size and number of treatment areas

The smaller the treatment area or areas, the less your J-Plasma procedure will cost. For example, only treating the neck will be less expensive than the entire lower face and neck. 

Small areas are less complex to treat and require a local anesthetic with oral sedation. Larger areas require general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. This additional medication is more expensive and must be administered by an anesthesiologist or anesthetist, who will charge provider fees. 

Provider expertise and location

Procedures performed by more experienced providers tend to be more expensive. Additionally, prices for cosmetic procedures in urban areas are usually higher than in rural locations.

Alternative Treatment Options

One alternative to J-Plasma is a thread lift, which involves injecting dissolvable barbed sutures beneath the skin’s surface to lift and firm skin and encourage collagen production. A thread lift typically costs between $1,500–$6,000.

A less invasive treatment option is plasma skin tightening, which uses the same technology as J-Plasma but does not involve inserting a cannula below the skin. A plasma skin tightening treatment for the neck costs $1,000 on average.

Another option is laser skin tightening, which uses laser heat energy to contract collagen fibers and encourage new collagen growth. The average surgeon fee in 2020 for this procedure was $1,445, which doesn’t include anesthesia, facility fees and other related costs.

The most permanent alternative to J-Plasma is a facelift or neck lift. When compared to these skin-tightening plastic surgery procedures, J-Plasma is considerably less expensive. Average surgeon fees are $8,005 for a facelift and $4,000 for a neck lift.

Is J-Plasma Worth It?

J-Plasma is not well-studied as a surgical procedure, so there isn’t much data pointing to its efficacy or patient satisfaction. Depending on your situation, J-Plasma or another facial rejuvenation procedure such as Botox or dermal fillers may be appropriate. An initial consultation with a plastic surgeon can help you decide whether J-Plasma is right for you.

Risks and side effects

J-Plasma carries the risk of multiple possible side effects. A few common ones include: 

• Asymmetric results
• Bleeding and bruising
• Nodules or lumps
• Pain or discomfort
• Pigmentation changes
• Redness
• Scarring
• Swelling
• Temporary weight gain

More serious complications include:

• Burns (deep or superficial) 
• Collapsed lung
• Helium embolism 
• Infection
• Ischemia (reduced blood flow)
• Nerve injury 
• Touch sensitivity, numbness, tingling or itching

J-Plasma Financing

As with most cosmetic procedures, a J-Plasma treatment can typically be paid for in installments. At your consultation, ask your plastic surgeon what kinds of financing options they offer to make J-Plasma more affordable for you.

Takeaway

J-Plasma, recently rebranded as Renuvion, is a skin tightening treatment that uses helium plasma to firm loose skin and increase collagen production. It’s FDA-approved for the face and neck, but is sometimes used off-label on the rest of the body.

Very little data is available to show that Renuvion is safe, and the FDA has specifically warned consumers against using it off-label.

The average cost of this skin tightening treatment is $5,800, but price can range from $700 up to $15,000, depending on the provider you choose, your geographic location, and the size and number of areas being treated.