The best RF microneedling device, Marylebone, London

In simple terms, radiofrequency microneedling brings the skin tightening benefits of radiofrequency and the rejuvenating benefits of microneedling together in one powerhouse treatment to target wrinkles, acne scars, lax skin, large pores, and photo-ageing all at the same time. If you’re considering RF microneedling as a treatment, you may be wondering what to expect in terms of results, as well as which device is the most effective. Read on for everything you need to know about one of my favourite treatments. 

What is RF microneedling and what are its benefits?

Age, sun exposure, and habits like smoking can cause the breakdown of collagen and elastin, but treatments like RF microneedling can help restore some firmness to the skin.

Regular microneedling involves making micro-injuries to the skin to trigger a wound-healing response that promotes collagen production. RF microneedling combines this treatment with radiofrequency energy, to heat the underlying tissue, stimulating even more collagen production, as well as elastin and hyaluronic acid. This has a powerful tightening and lifting effect on the skin, but it also helps to resurface the complexion, effectively targeting scarring, pores, and texture.

How does RF microneedling work?

It utilises a combination of traditional microneedling and radiofrequency which is delivered via a handheld device equipped with tiny, ultra-fine needles to create a controlled injury, which stimulates the body’s wound healing response, once again kick-starting fibroblast activity, resulting in tightening and boosting of new and existing collagen and elastin .The addition of radiofrequency energy allows for controlled heating of the deeper layers of the skin, further enhancing the skin rejuvenation process.

Usually, the needles are insulated, except for their tips, so that the radiofrequency energy they dispense is delivered directly to the dermis, rather than dispersed into the rest of the skin that the needles are passing through. Using needles to create micro-channels of damage enables the skin to heal itself faster than you would expect, because between each of the channels of damage is a portion of untreated, undamaged skin. So, the skin isn’t trying to heal the whole of itself at once. 

RF microneedling has many names

There are several different RF microneedling devices out there, and while they all use the same core technology, the results and downtime can differ greatly between devices. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular

Profound RF

Profound RF has been clinically proven to create all three skin fundamentals: up to 5x more elastin, up to 2x more collagen, and increased hyaluronic acid. It has FDA clearance for the face and body and just one treatment is required to achieve lasting results. It also professes to have a 100% response rate for facial wrinkles and its effects have been proven in eight clinical studies. And the best part? Profound RF can deliver one-third of a facelift result in just a single treatment, and this result lasts for several years.

Morpheus8

Morpheus8 is a fractional device designed to treat fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, and general skin tone. It has 24 coated pins that penetrate into the subdermal tissue, coagulating the fat and contracting connective tissue. Simultaneously, directional RF energy generates bulk heating in the dermis. You will need a course of treatments, however, for optimal results.

Secret RF

Secret RF is a fractional RF microneedling system designed to revitalise, refresh, tighten and lift the skin and address common concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, photo-ageing, and striae (stretch marks). The microneedles allow the practitioner to deliver energy at various depths, so it can be tailored to each individual’s needs. It has a Secret RF’s 64-pin handpiece with semi-insulated needles for treatments on the face, neck, chest, and body. However, just like Morpheus8, Secret RF requires a course of treatments.

Which RF microneedling device is the best?

When I researched RF microneedling devices for my clinic, I considered all the options. But, for me, one device stood out from the rest and that was the Profound RF.

Firstly, Profound RF is four times more powerful than other microneedling devices – it delivers energy much deeper into the tissues and for a longer period of time which allows us to achieve optimal protein denaturation within a single treatment.

This means that we stimulate production of elastin by about five-fold, we double collagen levels in the skin and dramatically increase hyaluronic acid levels. Clinically, this translates into tighter skin that’s regained its youthful bounce, lifting of the jowls, significantly reduced lines and wrinkles, and we can even target the fat pad under the chin to lift and refine the jawline. It’s a one-off treatment that has been found to deliver 1/3 of the result of a surgical facelift in a single treatment and results last for several years.

Check out these transformations…

If you’d like to learn more about RF microneedling, and whether it’s the right choice for your concerns, click here to enquire or to book a consultation.