How Are RF Microneedling And Traditional Microneedling Different?

Traditional microneedling uses a hand-held mechanical device with sterile ultra-fine disposable needle tips to create micro-injuries to the skin. This stimulates the body’s own healing response and initiates collagen and elastin production. Applying serums or platelet rich plasma (PRP), during the treatment allows for deeper and more effective penetration of nutrients and growth factors through the microchannels created in the skin.RF Microneedling adds the element of radiofrequency energy to the traditional microneedling procedure. RF Microneedling gives you the benefits of traditional microneedling, plus skin tightening and additional collagen and elastin production. The RF energy delivered deep into the skin produces a faster, more dramatic results over traditional micro needling devices.

What Is Radiofrequency (RF) Technology?

RF is essentially electrical energy. In aesthetic medicine, RF technology is used to gently and safely heat the skin. Heating the dermis initiates new collagen and elastin formation to visibly tighten the skin.

What Are The Advantages Of RF Microneedling Over Other Skin Resurfacing Treatments?

The main advantages of RF microneedling is that it can offer similar results to ablative laser procedures, but with significantly less discomfort, downtime and risk for hyperpigmentation, especially in darker skin types.  We can customize the tip used for your specific skincare concerns to deliver the best possible result for you.RF microneedling stimulates new collagen and elastin in the deep layers of the skin, while bypassing the epidermis, the most superficial layer, which is most prone to side effects and prolonged downtime. 

Before RF Microneedling, when people wanted significant results, they needed to undergo aggressive skin resurfacing lasers or deep chemical peels. But lengthy recovery times made it difficult to fit these treatments in to their busy lifestyle.

These treatments were also not safe for people with darker skin due to significant risk for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.Unlike laser skin resurfacing or deep chemical peels, RF Microneedling can deliver the energy where it’s needed most, in the lower dermis, while minimizing the damage to the skin’s surface. This means minimal visible downtime, without sacrificing results.  Since RF Microneedling minimizes damage to the skin surface, The LegendPro is a better alternative to skin resurfacing lasers for improving the skin texture and skin tightening for dark skin or skin that is prone to scarring or hyperpigmentation.


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How Many RF Microneedling Treatments Are Recommended?

Most patients will see significant results with a series of 3-4 treatments, spaced about three to four weeks apart. The number of treatments will depend on how well the patient responds to the treatment and the severity of their skin issues.

Who Can Benefit From RF Microneedling?

RF Microneedling is a very safe treatment that can be performed on the face and body for almost all skin types. Side effects are uncommon.We may not recommend RF Microneedling for anyone who has had prior problems with radio frequency therapy, those using a pacemaker, and who have a history of: bleeding coagulopathies, use of anticoagulants, autoimmune disease, immunosuppressive diseases.  These patients should check with their doctor before treatment.  

Medications or supplements that may affect skin sensitivity should be stopped prior to your treatment.  

What Is Recommended Before My Treatment?

Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths and airbrush tans 1-2 weeks prior.Avoid taking blood thinners (i.e. aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, fish oil) for at least 10 days prior.Taking arnica montana tablets the day before your treatment and for one week after will help speed recovery.

How Is The RF Microneedling Procedure Performed?

Numbing cream is typically not required for RF Microneedling.  However, for those who are sensitive to pain, we can apply a strong topical numbing ointment to the treatment area to make you as comfortable as possible. After 20 minutes of topical numbing, the area is thoroughly cleanse and the treatment takes 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area.RF Microneedling has the potential to create pinpoint bleeding due to the microneedles and the depth of the skin being treated. However, bleeding is minimal and resolves immediately without any additional side effects or required action.

At Essential, we can add PRP (Platelet -Rich Plasma) treatment right after the RF microneedling treatment to further enhance the results. Platelets are found in the blood and contain important growth factors that promote cell regeneration and repair. When PRP is applied topically immediately following the procedure, the two treatments work synergistically to improve your skin’s appearance.

What Is The Downtime After The RF Microneedling Procedure?

Your skin may look flushed right after the treatment. However, most of the redness will resolve by the next day. The treated skin should be kept clean and not washed until the following day. The treatment area may feel slightly rough like sandpaper for 2-3 days.There is little to no discomfort after the procedure and you can typically return to regular activities within a day. You can wear makeup 24 hours after the procedure to mask any residual redness and return to your normal skin care routine in 1-2 days.

We recommend that you take the evening off from social activities on the day of the treatment. You should feel comfortable to return to normal social activities no later than 48 hours post-treatment, without anyone knowing you’ve had a procedure.

When Will I Start To See Results From A RF MicroNeedling Treatment?

Because fractional radiofrequency causes your skin to produce new collagen and elastin and rebuild old and damaged cells, results are not immediate and depend upon the speed at which your body heals. Typically, more visible improvements are seen 6-8 weeks post session. Although results are visible after the first treatment, you’ll start to notice more significant changes in your skin following the second treatment. Expect to see optimal results 3 months after you complete your series.

Is RF Microneedling Safe?

RF Microneedling is very safe. Because the energy delivered spares the most superficial layer of the skin and because RF technology is color-blind, most of the potential side effects seen with aggressive lasers or deep chemical peels, such as hyperpigmentation or blistering, is minimized or completely avoided.

Can RF Microneedling Treatment Be Combined With Other Procedures? 

Yes! RF Microneedling treatments can be used to complement other treatments. BOTOX® or Dysport® may be administered at 2-4 weeks prior to your RF Microneedling Treatment to relax overactive muscles to help with wrinkles. Fillers such as Juvederm® or Restylane® can be performed after RF microneedling to provide volume for the face and to further reduce wrinkles.Loose skin and dark circles under the eyes can be treated at the same time by injecting PRR under the eyes immediately following the RF Micorneedling treatment.   For chest and body rejuvenation, NuEra Tight can augment the collagen induction process of the RF Microneedling.  Sun damage and brown spots can be address more completely using IPL treatments.