Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions in the UK, and for many people, the standard treatment path of emollients and topical steroid creams works well enough. But for a significant number of long-term eczema sufferers, there comes a point where the creams stop working, the skin becomes dependent on steroids, or the side effects of prolonged steroid use start to outweigh the benefits.
If this sounds familiar, cold atmospheric plasma therapy may offer a different path. At Ciao Bella Aesthetics, we provide cold plasma treatment for eczema and topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) for patients across Bath, Bristol and the surrounding area.
What is cold atmospheric plasma?
Cold atmospheric plasma, or CAP, is a medical technology that generates a stream of ionised gas at room temperature. When this plasma is applied to the skin, it triggers several beneficial biological responses without causing any thermal damage or requiring any topical products.
The technology has been used in wound healing and dermatology for several years and is now being applied to inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and TSW with encouraging results.
The three main effects of cold plasma on the skin are:
- Anti-inflammatory action. Plasma reduces the inflammatory mediators in the skin, calming redness, swelling and irritation at a cellular level.
- Antimicrobial effect. Eczema-prone skin is frequently colonised by bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, which drives further inflammation. Cold plasma kills these bacteria on contact without the need for antibiotics or antiseptic products.
- Tissue regeneration. Plasma stimulates fibroblast activity and supports the formation of new, healthy skin tissue. This helps rebuild the compromised skin barrier that is central to both eczema and TSW.
Eczema and the steroid cycle
Many of the patients we see at our clinic have been through the same frustrating pattern. Eczema flares up. The GP prescribes a steroid cream. The cream works for a while. The eczema returns, often worse. A stronger cream is prescribed. Eventually the skin becomes dependent on the steroid, and attempts to stop using it result in a severe rebound flare that can be more distressing than the original eczema.
This is the cycle of topical steroid withdrawal, and it can affect the face, hands, arms, legs and body. Symptoms include intense redness, burning, peeling, weeping, insomnia and significant emotional distress.
Cold plasma therapy offers an alternative approach. Rather than suppressing the symptoms with more medication, it works to reduce inflammation, fight infection and support the skin’s own healing capacity. For many patients, this provides meaningful relief without adding to the chemical burden on their skin.
What to expect from treatment
Cold plasma treatment is carried out by one of our registered nurses. The device is held close to the skin and passed slowly over the affected areas. The sensation is gentle, most patients describe a light tingling. There is no pain and no downtime.
Sessions typically last between 20 and 45 minutes. A course of treatments is usually recommended, with sessions spaced weekly or fortnightly depending on severity. Your nurse will discuss the recommended number of sessions during your consultation and adjust the plan as your skin responds.
Who can benefit?
- People with chronic eczema that is not responding well to conventional treatments
- People experiencing topical steroid withdrawal after reducing or stopping steroid creams
- People with dermatitis or inflammatory skin conditions looking for a non-steroidal option
- People whose eczema is worsened by bacterial colonisation of the skin
- Anyone looking for a gentler, non-invasive approach to managing inflamed skin
Covering Bath and Bristol
Our clinic is based in Bristol and we see patients from across Bath, North Somerset and the wider South West. If you are dealing with eczema or TSW and want to explore whether cold plasma therapy could help, we would be happy to discuss your situation.
