Radio Frequency Skin Tightening: What Are Your Options?
Our skin naturally loses elasticity and starts to sag and wrinkle as we age. While a quality skincare routine can help slow this process, there are only so many changes you can make through over-the-counter products alone. Those seeking to make substantial reductions in wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging often find success with radio frequency skin tightening.
Radiofrequency skin tightening works by administering low-energy radiation to the dermis, a deep layer of your skin. RF energy stimulates collagen growth, which can smooth and tighten skin to create a more youthful appearance. RF energy is a safe, non-invasive way to treat mild to moderate skin laxity issues.
If you are interested in trying radio frequency skin tightening, we will go over some of the best treatment options below.
Radio Frequency Skin Tightening:
Fractora
Fractora is an anti-aging procedure that uses RF energy to stimulate collagen production in the skin. The Fractora device administers RF energy via tin pins, leaving the skin minorly thermally injured. The process both removes damaged skin and promotes collagen growth. As your skin works to repair itself, it becomes smoother and tighter. In addition to tightening skin, Fractora can help with issues like scarring, acne, and hyperpigmentation.
Fractora treatment takes about an hour on average, although times vary depending on patient need. Your practitioner applies a topical numbing cream and then runs a handheld device over the treatment area. While you will see some changes after your first session, most patients need two to three sessions to get substantial results.
After Fractora treatment, follow all aftercare instructions provided to you closely. Most patients need one to two days of downtime to recover. For the first week, you may experience mild bruising, redness, and swelling, but these issues should resolve on their own and do not typically require medical treatment.
Morpheus
Morpheus is a combination of microneedling and radiofrequency treatment. Unlike other options, Morpheus can target specific layers of skin and deep tissues, allowing for much more customizable results.
During treatment, your practitioner applies a topical numbing cream. Then, they run the Morpheus device over the treatment area. Treatment typically lasts between 15 and 60 minutes, and patients need three sessions for optimal results.
For the majority of patients, Morpheus requires very little aftercare. You can resume daily activities right away but may need to stay out of the sun for the first few days following treatment.
Profound
Profound is a relatively new treatment, but one that has proved to yield substantial changes. Like Morpheus, Profound combines microneedling and radiofrequency energy to trigger the production of what are often referred to as the three building blocks of healthy skin: collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Profound differs from Morpheus and similar options in that it uses long pulse, lower heat treatment, optimized to stimulate elastin production. Profound can smooth skin and works well on delicate areas like the face, jawline, and body.
Profound delivers RF energy to the deepest dermal layers. The resulting heat causes a “thermocollagenesis” effect, spurring collagen production. Before undergoing treatment, your practitioner pre-injects the treatment area with a numbing compound. Sessions typically take an hour, and most patients only need a single session to see results.
Profound can penetrate the skin much deeper than other options, so results can be very dramatic. Profound not only tightens the skin but can minimize cellulite, add volume to thinning skin, reduce sagging, and even contour certain facial features.
Profound does require slightly more significant downtime than other options. After treatment, you need a week of rest as you allow swelling and bruising to subside. Within 24 hours, you can resume most non-strenuous activities but always talk to your practitioner about your precise timeline for recovery. Every patient is different.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatment is an umbrella term that refers to a wide variety of methods that stimulate collagen production in the skin. Laser treatments can be a highly effective means of skin tightening, and several types use RF energy.
Elos uses radiofrequency energy to heat skin on a superficial layer, tightening skin and improving scars and hyper-pigmentation. Forma heats tissue with radio frequency to smooth reduce wrinkles, and improve skin elasticity.
Both of the above treatments entail little to no recovery time. While you need to avoid direct sunlight in the days following treatment, you can resume most daily activities right away.
Radio Frequency Skin Tightening: The Bottom Line
Radio frequency skin tightening treatments vary in intensity, duration, and recovery time but can all substantially improve skin elasticity. If you are considering skin tightening, a consultation with a professional can help you determine which treatment path is best for you.
Ready to get started? BLUSH’s practitioners have extensive experience with numerous face tightening procedures. Book a consultation today to talk over your options.