All About RF Microneedling
According to a study in the “Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine” journal, “Minimally invasive methods for skin rejuvenation are in high demand.” That comes as little surprise as people are wanting to avoid the risks of going under the knife and the downtime required for recovery.
One such procedure that has become popular in recent years is RF microneedling. Read on to learn more about this procedure, what it treats, and how it works.
What is RF Microneedling?
As mentioned, RF microneedling is an outpatient, non-invasive cosmetic procedure. It is most commonly used to treat wrinkles, fine lines, scars, and acne scarring.
The procedure combines the use of tiny needles (microneedling) and radiofrequency waves (RF) to stimulate new skin growth and boost collagen. While this is technically a procedure that “injures” the skin, there is shockingly little to no discomfort during the treatment because of the numbing and the only side effect may be some redness or irritation right after RF microneedling.
Expect an RF microneedling session to take 20 minutes to an hour and expect to have 4 to 6 sessions of this treatment for maximum results.
Why RF Microneedling?
Along with RF Microneedling, a number of other non-invasive procedures have also been developed to tackle skin rejuvenation.
So why RF Microneedling versus these other procedures? A good comparison is laser therapy.
The Journal “Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine” explains why people are turning to RF Microneedling in place of certain laser procedures. “Laser technology was initially adopted to achieve this goal; however, the energy and subsequent heat required to obtain the desired skin tightening resulted in damage to the epidermis and complications such as burns and irreversible pigmentation changes.” Many of these procedures were the in the early introduction phase of skin tightening treatments.
Not only that, but RF Microneedling treatments can be personalized to treat your specific skin concerns, and research shows the efficacy of this procedure.
In a study by the “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery” researchers evaluated the results of 31 patients with grade 3 and grade 4 skin conditions receiving RF Microneedling treatment. Of these, “80.64% showed improvement by 2 grades and 19.35% showed improvement by 1 grade. Quantitative assessment showed that 58% of the patients had moderate improvement, 29% had minimal, 9% had good and 3% showed very good improvement. Adverse effects were limited to transient pain, erythema, edema and hyperpigmentation.”
How to Prepare for RF Microneedling
While RF microneedling is a quick and easy procedure with minimal, if any, side effects, there are some things you shouldn’t do before your treatment. These will not only affect the efficacy of RF Microneedling, they will also make the recovery process more difficult.
Before your appointment, avoid the following:
- Using harsh skin products like retinoids or strong exfoliants
- Getting excessive sun exposure
- Taking blood thinners or NSAIDs like Advil
Similarly, you should avoid getting this treatment if:
- You have a skin infection or skin issue like psoriasis
- You are on Accutane
- You are pregnant
- You are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
As with any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to review your medical history and your lifestyle with your practitioner before undergoing RF microneedling.
RF Microneedling in The Woodlands, Texas
If you are in The Woodlands, Texas area and are wanting to learn more about RF Microneedling or are interested in booking a session, contact our Medical Spa, Practice Happiness today!
Don’t forget that this is a perfect treatment for a young adult who has experienced acne and left with acne scarring. The benefits for these patients are so rewarding.
Call us at 281-402-3268 to rid your skin of wrinkles, fine lines and acne scarring!