Renuvion® San Diego
Tired of saggy skin around the neck, thighs, and abdomen? Renuvion is a minimally-invasive treatment with minimal downtime. This innovative procedure uses Helium Plasma and Radiofrequency energy to contour from within.
Dr. Katerina Gallus is the first and only female plastic surgeon to offer Renuvion in San Diego, and Restore SD is one of the first few dozen practices nationwide to offer the new Renuvion Ayon Body Contouring System.
Renuvion® for Body
Did you know that your skin starts to lose collagen as early as 25 years of age? This process can be sped up with weight changes, sun exposure, and sometimes just lousy genetics. This loss of collagen leads to sagging in the upper arms, inner and outer thighs, and abdomen. Most of us have areas that we wish could be tighter but are not ready to commit to extensive surgery or long scars.
Instead, Renuvion® powered by J-Plasma is the latest technology that offers power, precision, and exceptional results. Renuvion® uses Helium Plasma and Radiofrequency energy to shape and firm the skin from within. Renuvion can be combined with liposuction to reduce stubborn areas of fat and address sagging skin in the areas such as the arms, thighs, and abdomen with just one treatment.
Due to its minimally invasive nature, it can also be performed under local anesthesia in the office setting.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Gallus is a board certified plastic surgeon and Castle Connolly Top Doctor. She will partner with you to develop a tailored surgical plan that prioritizes your safety and results.
What makes a Renuvion® treatment so great?
- Only one treatment to see results
- Can be done under local anesthesia
- Very small incisions
- Fast recovery time
- Stimulates collagen from the dermal layer
- Results continue to improve over 6 weeks to 6 months due to collagen remodeling
- Can be combined with liposuction
How does Renuvion® work?
The subdermal coagulation of Renuvion® J Plasma is created with the energy generated by the device. The tissue is carefully heated with RF energy and cooled with helium plasma through a slender hand-held wand to stimulate tissue contraction just below the skin’s surface.
When inserted under the skin the overlying tissue will contract and tighten and continue to do so over the next 6 months. The skin will appear as though it has been lifted – making it an excellent treatment for the loose skin in the upper arm either as a stand-alone procedure or in combination with liposuction.
The combination of RF energy and cold helium plasma make Renuvion® a superior treatment compared to other devices that only use a single modality like Thermi, Profound RF and Ultherapy.
Am I a candidate for Renuvion®?
If you have an area of skin laxity with or without stubborn fat you may be a candidate. Renuvion® is especially great for those who wish to target one or more of the following areas:
- Inner thighs
- Arms
- Abdomen
Renuvion® adds value for those patients who want to avoid more invasive cosmetic surgical procedures. It also enhances traditional procedures that involve excisional surgery to provide dramatic results.
If you are looking to treat cellulite, Avéli may be a better procedure option for you. It is a minimally invasive treatment that releases the fibrous bands that cause cellulite from the inside out.
At Restore SD, our patients are excited about this minimally invasive option that can deliver results with a shorter recovery than more extensive surgical procedures.
What can I expect during a Renuvion® procedure?
During a Renuvion® treatment, a thin wand is inserted at small entry points at the target area (similar to liposuction), and the RF energy is applied underneath the skin. After numbing the area, small incisions are made around your area or areas on concern. Then, anesthetic fluid is injected to ensure your comfort throughout your treatment.
After ensuring you are totally pain-free, liposuction may be performed in combination with Renuvion to further enhance your results if needed. Then, the Renuvion wand is passed multiple times in a fan-like motion to treat the area. Finally, you are placed in a light compression garment, and the procedure is complete.
Does Renuvion® hurt?
Depending on the areas being treated, you may be asleep under general anesthesia or awake but with the area numbed by local anesthetic. Female board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus will discuss which form of anesthesia is best suited for your needs with you ahead of time during your personal consultation. We do also offer Pro-Nox, a patient-controlled pain management system that allows you to administer your own pain relief during your treatment. Learn more about Pro-Nox here»
Your Safety = Beautiful Results
Renuvion® at Restore SD
At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, patient safety comes first. Board-certified plastic surgeon and former Navy plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus operates in a private, on-site Quad A-accredited surgery center, with state-of-the-art equipment and LED surgical lighting. She proudly works with a board-certified anesthesiologist and holds privileges at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.
Introducing Ayon: The Next Generation of Body Contouring
Restore SD Plastic Surgery is proud to be one of the first plastic surgery centers nationwide to offer the revolutionary Ayon Body Contouring System—the most advanced body sculpting technology available today. This state-of-the-art system represents the evolution of body contouring, combining multiple cutting-edge technologies into one integrated platform that Dr. Gallus calls “the Cadillac of body contouring.”
The Ayon system brings together three powerful technologies in a single treatment:
- SmartLipo™ Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction: Uses ultrasound energy to gently break down fat cells for smoother, more precise removal with less trauma to surrounding tissues
- Integrated Renuvion J-Plasma Technology: Delivers helium plasma energy beneath the skin to tighten and firm loose tissue immediately after fat removal
- MicroAire Handpiece Capability: Provides additional precision and control for optimal body sculpting results
By combining these technologies, Ayon allows Dr. Gallus to address both excess fat and skin laxity in a single procedure—delivering smoother, tighter, more natural-looking results than traditional liposuction alone.
Ayon vs. Traditional Liposuction: What’s the Difference?
While traditional liposuction effectively removes unwanted fat, it doesn’t address one of the most common concerns patients have after fat removal: loose, sagging skin. This is where Ayon’s integrated approach offers a significant advantage.
Traditional Liposuction:
- Removes fat through suction
- Does not tighten skin
- May result in loose or crepey skin after fat removal
- Can require additional procedures to address skin laxity
- Longer recovery with more bruising and swelling
Ayon Body Contouring:
- Removes fat with ultrasound-assisted precision (SmartLipo™)
- Simultaneously tightens skin with Renuvion J-Plasma technology
- Addresses both fat and skin concerns in one procedure
- More comfortable recovery with less bruising
- Immediate skin tightening effect that continues to improve over time
- Superior body sculpting precision with multiple integrated technologies
The key advantage of Ayon is its ability to not only remove fat but also contract and tighten the skin in the treated area—creating smoother, more youthful contours without the need for additional procedures. This makes Ayon an ideal solution for patients who want comprehensive body contouring results, especially in areas prone to skin laxity like the abdomen, arms, thighs, and neck.
What is the downtime associated with a Renuvion® procedure?
Like liposuction procedures, the recovery after Renuvion or Ayon is relatively easy as compared to more invasive surgery. Most patients are sore for several days but able to move around easily. Dr. Gallus recommends not lifting anything heavy or strenuous exercise for the first two weeks after the procedure but will guide each individual patient through their recovery with frequent postoperative visits and check-ins.
A compression garment is provided and placed on immediately after the procedure and should be worn as directed by Dr. Gallus depending on the area treated. Most patients can return to work after 3-5 days.
“I am so glad that I chose her to perform my breast augmentation surgery. She walked me through the process from start to finish and her staff was always attentive and available. I felt like she really understood me and wanted me to look fabulous! I am ecstatic about my results and have never felt better about the way I look. It was such a meaningful positive change for me and I can’t say enough great things about Dr. Gallus. I have given Dr. Gallus great reviews and have recommended her to my friends and family. I will be a customer for life and look forward to scheduling laser and facials with her down the road.”
—Actual patient of Dr. Gallus
How much does Renuvion® cost in San Diego?
The Renuvion® procedure can be combined with Dr. Gallus’ preferred technique of SAFELipo® or as a stand-alone. It adds approximately 30 minutes to an hour to the procedure time and can cost between $4000 and $6000 depending on the area being treated or if multiple areas are being treated.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Less invasive with smaller incisions than traditional surgery
- Immediate skin tightening, with results that continue to improve over time
- Provides targeted skin tightening on various parts of the body
- Allows patients to return to their daily activities soon after the procedure
- Anesthesia – Medications administered during procedures to prevent pain; varies from local to general, depending on the extent of the procedure. Renuvion can be performed under local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or with sedation, based on the treatment area and patient comfort.
- Body Contouring – Cosmetic procedures aimed at reshaping and refining the body’s contours; Renuvion contributes to body contouring by tightening skin after fat reduction.
- Collagen Production – The process of creating new collagen, essential for skin elasticity and firmness; stimulated by Renuvion treatments to enhance skin texture and tightness.
- Cold Helium Plasma – Utilized in Renuvion to deliver skin tightening with minimal thermal damage, involving energized helium gas in a plasma state.
- Downtime – The recovery period post-procedure, with Renuvion known for minimal downtime, allowing quicker return to daily activities.
- J-Plasma – Former name for Renuvion, combining cold helium plasma with radiofrequency energy for skin tightening.
- Local Anesthesia – A type of anesthesia used to numb a specific area of the body during a procedure, allowing the patient to remain awake without feeling pain. Renuvion procedures can often be performed under local anesthesia, making it a less invasive option with a quicker recovery time.
- Med Spa – Facilities offering non-surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic treatments, where Renuvion may be available alongside other aesthetic services.
- Minimally Invasive – Characterized by smaller incisions and less tissue damage, with Renuvion being a minimally invasive skin tightening treatment.
- Non-Surgical – Refers to treatments not involving incisions or tissue removal, with Renuvion providing a non-surgical alternative for skin tightening.
- Pro-Nox – A patient-controlled analgesia system that delivers a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, used to manage pain and anxiety during various medical, dental, and cosmetic procedures. Pro-Nox can be offered during Renuvion treatments to enhance patient comfort without the need for deeper sedation or general anesthesia.
- Radiofrequency Energy – Used in Renuvion to heat tissues and stimulate skin tightening, combined with cold helium plasma.
- Recovery – The healing process after treatment, with Renuvion featuring a generally quick recovery, allowing for a swift return to normalcy.
- Renuvion – A skin tightening procedure using cold helium plasma and radiofrequency energy for rejuvenation across multiple body areas.
- Side Effects – Potential adverse effects post-treatment, with Renuvion side effects typically being mild and temporary.
- Skin Elasticity – The ability of skin to return to form post-stretching; Renuvion treatments aim to improve this through collagen stimulation.
- Skin Laxity – Loose or sagging skin condition, effectively treated by Renuvion through targeted skin tightening.
- Subdermal – Referring to the area beneath the skin’s surface, where Renuvion acts to tighten skin without affecting the outer layer.
- Thermal Damage – Damage from heat exposure; minimized in Renuvion treatments due to the cooling properties of helium plasma.
The Science behind Renuvion® J-Plasma
Renuvion® combines the cold plasma technology with the heat of radiofrequency to enable minimally invasive lifting and contouring effectively and safely. Plasma has been described as the 4th state of matter since it is not technically one of the other three – solid, liquid or gas. When enough energy is added to a gas, an ionized gas is created – this is known as plasma. With Renuvion® J Plasma the gas used is helium, a gas that can ionize at a relatively low energy level. Originally named J Plasma, this advanced technology was engineered by Apyx Medical (previously Bovie Medical) to combine the cold helium gas with radiofrequency (RF) energy. This provides precision and power that delivers superior results in just a single treatment.
Dr. Katerina Gallus is familiar with plasma technology having used similar technology with the Peak plasma blade while in the Navy for reconstructive plastic surgery procedures. This is a new application with an exciting innovation that creates many options for those looking for minimally invasive treatments to firm and rejuvenate their skin.
The Renuvion® Evolution: J-Plasma technology
The Renuvion® technology evolved over 20 years ago under the J-Plasma brand. The technology has been adopted in a wide variety of surgical applications due to its ability to safely and effectively direct energy towards a targeted area while minimizing thermal spread to adjacent tissues. In recent years, cosmetic specialists including plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons and physicians have found new applications of Renuvion® through its unique capacity to provide controlled heat to tissue. The most recent improvements received FDA approval in 2019 and include improved hand pieces.
Renuvion® has been referred by other names to include:
- Plasma skin resurfacing
- J-Plasma or J Plasma
- J-Plasty or J Plasty
- Cold helium with RF
- Helios
How do I schedule my San Diego Renuvion® treatment?
If you would like to learn more and find out if this procedure is a good fit for you, contact our office to schedule a consultation with female board-certified San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus.
Call to schedule your consult today »
References »
Gentile RD. Renuvion RF-Helium Plasma for Subdermal Skin Tightening, Facial Contouring and Skin Rejuvenation of the Face and Neck. Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine Aesthet Med. 2020 Jul/Aug;22(4):304-306. doi: 10.1089/fpsam.2020.0070.
Shridharani SM, Kennedy ML. Safety of Helium-based Plasma Technology for Coagulation of Soft Tissue: A Retrospective Review. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum. 2022 Nov 7;4:ojac081. doi: 10.1093/asjof/ojac081.
Ruff PG, Bharti G, Hunstad J, Kortesis B, DiBernardo B, Gentile R, Cohen S, Martinez A, Shridharani SM. Safety and Efficacy of Renuvion Helium Plasma to Improve the Appearance of Loose Skin in the Neck and Submental Region. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2023 Sep 14;43(10):1174-1188. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjad055.
Ibrahiem SMS. Aesthetic Nonexcisional Arm Contouring. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2022 Jun 20;42(7):NP463-NP473. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjac031.
Alqahtani M, Mahabbat N, Fayi K. Rare complication of coupled VASER liposuction and Renuvion technologies: a case report. Case Reports Plast Surg Hand Surg. 2023 Mar 29;10(1):2181175. doi: 10.1080/23320885.2023.2181175.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Katerina Gallus — Updated on Jan 15, 2026
