A device for generating a cold, HF-excited plasma under atmospheric pressure conditions can be used advantageously for plasma treatment of materials for cosmetic and medical purposes. The device contains a metal housing functioning as a grounded electrode in the region of the emergent plasma, wherein an HF generator, an HF resonance coil having a closed ferrite core suitable for the high frequency, an insulating body acting as a gas nozzle, and a high-voltage electrode mounted in the insulating body are disposed in such a manner that they are permeated or circulated around by process gas. By integrating the plasma nozzle and required control electronics in a miniaturized handheld device, or by using a short high-voltage cable, the invention allows compliance with the electromagnetic compatibility directives and allows the power loss to be minimized and thus a mobile application to be implemented.
