RF Microneedling

What is Radio Frequency (RF) microneedling?

RF microneedling devices use a special type of insulated bi-polar needle to safely delivery RF energy into the skin at pre-determined depths and areas. This causes controlled tissue tightening and collagen production in the area treated.

Who should get Radiofrequency (RF) Microneedling?

RF microneedling is for nearly everyone, regardless of skin-tone or skin-type. It works best for those that have:

• Scars on their skin from injury or acne
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Acne
• Skin irregularities
• Large pores

Who should not get RF Microneedling?

As above, microneedling is safe for almost everyone. However, there are a few exceptions, such as:

• People with active skin wounds, lesions, or sores
• Those that have an allergy to stainless steel or gold
• Women that are pregnant or breast-feeding (due to lack of studies not proven harm)
• Those with an allergy to lidocaine or other numbing “caines”
• Individuals with poor wound healing from uncontrolled diabetes
• Patients with a connective tissue disorder where they cannot properly produce collagen

Is RF microneedling better than regular microneedling?

RF microneedling is a more advanced and stronger treatment than traditional microneedling. The combination of the needles with heat energy is better able to break up scar tissue and also cause skin tightening.

However, regular microneedling is still a great procedure and can benefit a lot of people. Which treatment is better for you will depend on your age, your goals and your budget.

It also depends on your patience, it usually takes 6 regular microneedling sessions to achieve the results of 3 microneedling RF sessions.

Is RF Microneedling better for acne scars than traditional microneedling?

RF microneedling is better than traditional microneedling due to the added heat component and the ability to break down stubborn scar tissue faster. As above, it also accelerates collagen production which is needed to remodel the skin after the treatment. Regular microneedling is still an excellent treatment for acne scars, it will just take double the amount of treatments when compared to RF microneedling. So depending on time-line and budget, discuss with your provider which treatment is right for you.

What are the benefits of RF Microneedling?

• RF microneedling has less downtime than more invasive treatments
• Combines the benefits of laser treatment with microneedling
• Safe on all skin types
• Much gentler on the skin than ablative lasers
• Less time spent recovering
• Better collagen and elastin production than traditional microneedling

How often can you do Radio Frequency (RF) microneedling?

For optimal results, we usually recommend a full treatment series of 3-4 treatments done about 1 month apart.

Does RF microneedling really work?

It really does! Most people will start to see results after their 2nd treatment but the best results actually don’t appear until months after the last treatment. This is because collagen continues to remodel and form for up to 6-months after microneedling treatments.

Does RF Microneedling tighten skin?

Yes! RF Microneedling works to stimulate the skin and increase collagen production. The microneedling portion penetrates the skin which causes the body’s natural response to wounds to be triggered, increasing collagen production. The RF portion travels deep into your skin heating it up and accelerating collagen and elastin production. This RF skin tightening helps tighten and smooth out the skin. Radiofrequency skin tightening is a great minimally invasive way to tighten skin without surgery.

What all can Radio Frequency (RF) microneedling treat?

RF microneedling treatments are considered safe and effective to improve scars, increase collagen to improve fine lines/wrinkles, crepey skin and overall complexion.

These treatments can also be used to shrink eye bags, treat jowls and loose neck skin and even treat over-active sweating! Some of these treatments are considered “off label” meaning that though they still may be safe, they are not yet FDA approved.

To get the most benefit for any of the above you’ll want to see an experienced medical professional that knows the best protocols for your goals.

What other treatments can RF Microneedling be combined with?

RF microneedling can be combined with several other treatments to optimize results such as:

• PRP/PRF or stem cell therapies for faster wound healing and increased collagen production
• Intense pulsed light (IPL) photo-facial to simultaneously target skin discoloration while also tightening the skin
• Chemical peels or dermaplaning can also be done prior to RF microneedling to get a deeper treatment

Does Radio Frequency (RF) microneedling cause fat loss?

As above, certain protocols with these devices can be used for fatty areas (like jowls and eye bags) but the treatment protocol is different. You have to go deeper to treat the fat whereas for skin tightening and collagen production you want to be superficial. The skin in the face is really only 0.5-2mm thick so you want to be careful!

Some people have reported fat loss in their faces after these procedures making them appear older. This is not due to poor technology but rather a poor protocol or inexperience by their administering provider.

Can RF microneedling be done at home?

No, this is a medical-grade procedure and can only be done by licensed medical professionals. If you can buy it at home it will not give the same results we are outlining here.

How long does your face stay red after RF microneedling?

Peak redness will be within the first 6-hrs after your treatment, then it will start to appear pink and eventually fade back to normal.

If you are darker complected you may simply appear flushed, have darkening of your skin or appear a bit puffy.

Usually within 24 hours people are looking and feeling fairly normal.

How long does it take for RF Microneedling to work?

This is a treatment where your skin might look the same as before a few days after treatment or it might look worse before it looks better. Because the treatment dries out the skin initially and also causes controlled damage, it will take your skin some time to recover. Most people will start noticing an improvement 2-4 weeks after their treatment. 

The treatment will become increasingly better in the following months as your body boosts its collagen production. The results will also get better the more treatments you have. It’s recommended that you have RF Microneedling done once a month for 3-4 months.

Does RF microneedling hurt?

We use a topical numbing cream before all microneedling procedures for patient comfort. Some areas may still be felt but the pain is typically minimal and very tolerable.

What are the side effects of Radio Frequency (RF) microneedling?

Most people will experience redness and mild swelling post-procedure. A burning sensation, like a sunburn, can also be felt temporarily after the numbing agent wears off. 

You need to keep your skin clean and be gentle with it for the first day or 2 and then you can resume your normal routine after 3-4 days (usually).

Can RF microneedling be done on all skin-types?

Yes it can! This treatment is great for all skin types but it’s always good to start with lower settings in those with darker skin (Fitzpatrick 4-6) to make sure they don’t have a hyperpigmentation response from the heat in the RF.

How long does RF Microneedling last?

The results from RF microneedling should be permanent. However, we do continue to age which means collagen breakdown and the reappearance of lines, wrinkles, and scars. Because of that, regular yearly treatments are required to maintain.

The best results will come from taking great care of your skin post-treatment. Our biggest tip is to avoid direct sun exposure and always use an SPF 30 or greater sunscreen (whether you’re in direct sun or not).

How much does RF microneedling cost?

This can vary based on all of the below factors but on average it is $600-800/session.

Always remember that as with any medical or cosmetic procedure you are not just paying for the product but also the quality, expertise and technique of the provider.

The best price does not equal the best result and it can cost much more, in the long run, to have a poor result corrected than getting a great result from the start.

Pricing may also depend on the number of treatments you purchase at once. For instance, we offer discounts when 3 or more are bought together.

Are payment plans available for RF microneedling treatments?

Unfortunately with the COVID19 pandemic many of the financing companies stopped offering this option. However, we do offer discounted rates with our packaged options as well as when multiple procedures are booked together. Schedule a free consult below to chat with a provider about what would work best for you.