The hallmark of youthful skin is skin that is healthy, plump, and even in tone and texture. But because of the natural aging process, the appearance and health of our skin deteriorate as we age. Luckily, with the right aesthetic treatment, you can rejuvenate your appearance. At South Lake OBGYN in Clermont, FL, we know that RF microneedling is an ideal treatment to correct a variety of aesthetic concerns.
How Does RF Microneedling Work?
RF microneedling is a dual-modality treatment that harnesses the power of two different aesthetic techniques – radiofrequency and microneedling. Each of these treatment methods can be hugely beneficial to the overall tone and texture of the skin. When used separately, both radiofrequency and microneedling are well-known for their ability to reverse the natural aging process for several months. When used together, the power of this treatment can be used to correct even the most severe concerns.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a minimally-invasive technique that creates micro-injuries in the top layers of the skin. The injuries created with this technique open up micro-channels in the skin that kickstart the body’s natural regenerative abilities. When the skin detects an injury, it responds by increasing both blood flow and the production of special skin proteins, including collagen.
Microneedling is also known as “collagen induction” because of its ability to naturally build collagen to smooth out the appearance and texture of the skin. Microneedling by itself can be used to correct several superficial skin concerns, such as wrinkles, scarring, and dark spots.
Radiofrequency
Radiofrequency (RF) is a non-invasive energy-based treatment that uses the power of thermal energy to rejuvenate the appearance of the skin. The heat produced by radiofrequency stimulates the natural production of collagen and elastin in the skin, which can help restore the skin’s natural elasticity, reduce the appearance of sagging skin, and smooth away fine lines and wrinkles.
Radiofrequency is unique in that it is also able to address other superficial skin concerns, particularly age-related concerns caused by sun exposure. Blemishes, dark spots, photodamage, and other surface concerns can be resolved with RF treatments.
Microneedling and Radiofrequency Together
The dual-modality of RF microneedling creates a potent healing environment for the skin. Because of this treatment’s double-pronged approach, several skin concerns (even severe concerns) can be corrected at one time with a high rate of efficacy. This treatment essentially works by allowing the microneedling technique to create channels in the skin that allow for the thermal energy of radiofrequency to penetrate deeper layers of the skin.
The combination of external micro-injuries with the deep heating nature of radiofrequency allows this treatment to stimulate mass amounts of uniform collagen production that improves skin tone and texture significantly.
What Are the Benefits of RF Microneedling?
There’s a reason why RF microneedling is such a popular treatment. In fact, there are quite a few reasons, including the delivery of dramatic results, the way the treatment can be customized to your needs, and the comprehensive synergistic remodeling of skin tissues to relieve aesthetic concerns. Because this treatment works on both the surface and the sub-surface of the skin, it can address a wide array of appearance concerns, including:
- Smooth fine lines and wrinkles
- Reduce skin laxity
- Correct and reduce hyperpigmentation
- Soften texture
- Brighten tone
- Reduce stretch marks
- Treat acne and cystic acne
- Erase acne scars
Why Should You Choose This Treatment?
In addition to the variety of skin concerns that can be addressed with this treatment, there are several reasons why you may want to choose this treatment over other aesthetic solutions. For one thing, this treatment is a gentle and proven method that is safe for most skin types and skin tones. This treatment is also non-surgical and non-invasive, which means it has a low risk of negative side effects and no downtime requirement.
Because this treatment is non-surgical, you can also expect your treatment appointments to be fast, too. Most treatment sessions last about one to two hours depending on the number of areas you are treating on the face or body. Your touch-up treatments will only need to be completed once a year to maintain your results, as well, so the entire treatment regimen is simple.
What You Can Expect From Treatment
One of the considerations we make for your treatment is how to customize the microneedling portion to your skin’s needs, specifically in terms of the best depth for the needle penetration. For those who have fine lines, shallow penetration is ideal; those who have deep wrinkles or scarring will need deeper penetration.
Before your treatment begins, we will apply a topical numbing cream to your skin so you will be comfortable for the duration of the treatment. Your treatment will not be uncomfortable overall. In fact, many patients compare the sensation of the treatment to a tanning bed.
How Many Treatments Will You Need?
The number of treatment sessions you will need will depend on the severity of your skin concerns and your areas of treatment. Most patients are able to accomplish their aesthetic goals within one to two treatments, but if you have particularly severe concerns or challenging skin conditions, you may need more initial sessions. Treating acne scars, for example, sometimes requires three to four sessions spaced four weeks apart to achieve optimal results.
How Soon Will You See Results?
Patients are pleased to learn how quickly they will see results after this treatment. Most people will notice brighter and softer skin within a few days of their treatment appointment. Your skin condition will continue to improve as your body’s natural regenerative abilities build natural collagen in the skin. It will take several weeks for new collagen to mature and provide smoother, tighter skin results.
If you are not seeing the results you want about four weeks after your last appointment, then you may want to schedule a touch-up appointment so you can achieve your aesthetic goals.
How Long Do Results Last?
The results of this treatment are intended to be semi-permanent, which means they are expected to last for several months at a time but will also require regular maintenance to continue seeing results. Most of the time, annual appointments will maintain your results. With the right maintenance, you can expect the results of this treatment to last for years, even for treating particularly deep wrinkles.
For the treatment of scars and stretch marks, the results of this treatment may be permanent depending on your skin type and the placement of the scar. It’s possible for the combination of microneedling and radiofrequency to remodel scarred tissue and erase the appearance of complex scarring for several years.
Is There a Best Time for Treatment?
Yes and no. While you can certainly have this treatment at any age and achieve great results, the timing of your treatment appointments may be important. Because this treatment will take several weeks to fully develop your results, it’s best if you schedule your first appointment at least four to six months before any important life events. Additionally, because this treatment uses radiofrequency energy that will make your skin more vulnerable to the sun, many patients prefer to schedule appointments during the colder months when there is less risk of sunlight exposure.
How Should You Prepare?
Even though this is a non-surgical and non-invasive treatment, you will still need to follow certain guidelines to ensure that you receive the best possible results from your treatment. One of the biggest guidelines is to avoid alcohol and anti-inflammatory medications at least three to five days before your appointment. You should also avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements.
It’s best to discontinue certain skincare habits at least one to two days before your treatment as well. For example, you should not use products containing salicylic acid, retinol serums, or chemical exfoliants. On the day of your treatment, you should also avoid:
- Shaving
- Wearing make-up
- Using perfumes
- Applying dense moisturizers or lotion
What Should You Do After Your Treatment?
After your treatment, your skin will be vulnerable to the environment and will be in a self-healing mode, so it’s important that you do your best to protect your skin. The most important guideline to follow is to wear SPF 30 or higher when you plan to be outside during the daytime since this will prevent your new skin from being damaged by the sun. Please wear sunscreen during the daytime for at least two weeks after your treatment.
Another important guideline to follow is to use a good moisturizer throughout the day to keep your skin supple. You may find that using a hyaluronic acid moisturizer or serum will enhance the results of your treatment. Other guidelines to follow include:
- Avoid tanning beds and self-tanners
- Do not exfoliate or use harsh chemicals
- Avoid hot water, saunas, and hot tubs
- Drink plenty of water
How Can You Enhance Your Results?
Although the results of your treatment will last for a long time, many patients want to know how to enhance their results or help the results of this treatment last longer. There are many methods you can use to enhance the appearance of your results, such as protecting your skin from sun exposure by wearing SPF. Another good method would be to use skincare products that are appropriate for your skin goals, such as anti-aging products that will boost collagen production and help you manage dark spots.
You can also enhance your results by using other aesthetic treatments between your maintenance appointments. Facials, chemical peels, dermaplaning, and microdermabrasion are all good aesthetic treatments that can help you refine the health and appearance of your skin so you can enjoy a more youthful glow.
Who Are Good Candidates?
RF microneedling is unique among other energy-based treatments because it is colorblind, which means that it can be safely used on medium and dark complexions. And because this treatment can be fully customized to meet your skin needs, most people make good candidates for this FDA-approved treatment. You should postpone this treatment if you have active acne, cold sores, fever blisters, or eczema at the time of your appointment.
Rejuvenate Your Skin With RF Microneedling
If you want to significantly improve the tone, texture, and quality of your skin, then you need to use an aesthetic treatment that can tackle all of your aesthetic concerns at one time. RF microneedling treatments like Morpheus8 can address several skin concerns at one time and produce long-lasting, natural-looking results for virtually all people. If you think this treatment is a good fit for your needs, contact South Lake OBGYN in Clermont, FL to schedule your initial appointment today.