Radio Frequency Microneedling is a non-invasive procedure that can almost reverse the process of aging through collagen production. It can help correct scaring, discoloration, stretch marks, fine lines and wrinkles, skin firmness and texture concerns. Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in your body, it's what helps keep the skin firm and is depleted by age, sun damage, and smoking. Production of collagen slows around your 20s and 30s, but lucky for you we have a number of procedures that can help your body produce more collagen!
How it Works:
The Secret RF Microneedling machine, created by Cutera, combines original microneedling with energy (that's what the Radio Frequency RF refers to). Basic microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that involves puncturing your skin with tiny sterile needles. This stimulates your body to send healing agents such as collagen and metalloproteinases to repair the cells. These healing agents are responsible for the removal of old tissue and deposition of new dermal tissue. The new collagen provides the skin with strength and structure, thus tightening the skin and reversing fine lines and wrinkles.
Keeping that in mind, the radio frequency that is emitted at various levels of your skin and results in microscopic wounds in the dermis. As we learned, this stimulates the body to send healing agents to the tiny wounds - triggering collagen production and revitalizing your skin from the inside out.
This is a picture of RF Microneedling in action: *
Customizable Treatment
This procedure is completely customizable. Your injector will go over your areas of concern and what you'd like to focus on during your treatments. At The Lotus, we usually do the entire face or the entire face and neck.
Adjustable Depth: Shorter needles can target superficial concerns like shallow acne scars, fine lines, stretch marks. The longer needles can emit the frequency at a deeper level to stimulate skin-tightening collagen production.
Semi-insulated vs Non-insulated needles: Non-insulated needles deliver heat throughout the needle, at all levels of the skin. For darker skin, or those that are prone to hypo or hyper-pigmentation, it's safer to use semi-insulated needles. These only emit the frequency at the tip and are embedded deep in the skin. At our Medspa, we usually only use semi-insulated needles.
Number of Treatments: This completely depends on what you're treating. For shallow acne scars, for example, you would probably be advised to have at least two treatments. For deep stretch marks, you will probably need 3-4 treatments, it really just depends on you. Treatments are generally spread out from 4-6 weeks and age plays a factor as well. The more severe the wrinkles, the more treatments you will need.
What You Can Expect During a Procedure
A treatment typically lasts an hour. When you first get to your appointment, your injector will apply numbing cream to the entirety of the desired location. You have to then wait 30 minutes (bring a book or binge our tik toks!) until the microneedling starts. After you're done, the area will be red for about 3-4 hours and then your skin will go back to original pigment.
If you're advised for multiple treatments, they will be spaced about 6 weeks apart. Results are gradual, improvements can be seen 3-4 weeks in and continue for about 6 months.
These before and after pictures of one of our clients is honestly mind-blowing. She received 3 total treatments, each spaced 6 weeks apart. I don't know about you, but its looks like RF Microneedling knocked off at least ten years!
Here are more before and after photos, you can find them on the Cutera website:
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Sources
*Secret RF - the advantages of fractional vs. traditional microneedling. Cutera Aesthetic Solutions. (2021, August 24). Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://www.cutera.com/secret-rf-the-advantages-of-fractional-vs-traditional-microneedling/
**Secret RF microneedling™. RF Skin Rejuvenation & Tightening Westchester County | CSNY. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://www.nycosmeticmd.com/non-surgical/secret-rf-microneedling/
***The secret rf microneedling. Renew Esthetics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://renewed-you.com/the-secret-rf-microneedling/