20^th Nov 2024

What is the Difference Between Microneedling and Radio Frequency Microneedling?

Traditional Microneedling vs RF Microneedling

You may have heard of Microneedling and Radio Frequency Microneedling, but what is the difference?

Traditional Microneedling has been around for decades and has well documented clinical results. The treatment involves tiny needles being inserted into the skin which stimulates new collagen and elastin. It’s a fantastic treatment for reducing pore size, treating scars and stretch marks, skin tightening whilst minimising fines lines. This blog is going to discuss the differences between Microneedling vs RF Microneedling. All the types of microneedling that are performed in clinic can not be compared to home rollering or dermal rollering. This is because the needles on dermal rollers for home are too short to cause any collagen & elastin stimulation. They are just long enough to create tiny channels in the skin to allow products to penetrate much deeper into the skin.

More recently Radio Frequency Micro needling has been developed. It combines two technologies at the same time which are Microneedling & Radio Frequency and so provides skin tightening as well as facial contouring. Radio Frequency has also been around for decades and also has thousands of clinical white papers to confirm significant benefits in tightening skin, reducing pores, reducing eye bags, eye lift, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, reducing acne scars & surgical scars, stretch marks, volumising skin, stimulating more collagen & elastin etc. So with RF microneedling you have two technologies working on the skin at the same time which doubles the treatment and results! This means that it’s really effective at improving texture, reducing pores, improving scars/stretch marks as well as tightening skin and reducing fine lines & wrinkles. In addition to treating these concerns RF microneedling has an added benefit as it also  lifts, firms, tightens skin, defines and contour the face and its suitable for all skin types and skin of colour too.

The Morpheus8 is a radio frequency microneedling device that coagulates excess fat under the chin and jawline to contour and define the face. You may have seen the astonishing results Judy Murray,  Danielle LLoyd and Kim Kardashian achieved from Morpheus8 Radio Frequency Micro Needling.

We are so obsessed with Radio Frequency Microneedling that we have two devices to suit all clients needs and budget. We have the Morpheus8 which is a device device that coagulates excess fat under the chin and jawline to contour and define the face. It’s the best Radio Frequency Microneedling device on the market to date in that the needles go the deepest. The needles go up to 4mm to contour the jawline and get rid of double chins.  As well as reducing double chins and facial contouring it also tightens skin as well as minimising pores and wrinkles etc. On the body we are also trained and insured to go upto 5 mm to lift, tighten & tone crepey loose skin. We also offer the Focus Dual which is a medical device that works more superficially to reduce fine lines and open pores etc. This is recommended for younger clients that have minimal signs of ageing and are also looking for preventative treatment options. If there concerns are facial contouring to tighten saggy skin on the jowl area or to get rid of double chins we recommend Morpheus8.

What is the difference between radio-frequency micro needling and micro needling?

Traditional microneedling inserts ultra fine needles  into the skin to initiate a healing response.

Traditional Radio-frequency (RF) is where heat is generated on the surface of the skin to create thermal damage. This stimulates new collagen and elastin to lift and firm the skin on the face or body. Our Radio Frequency treatment is the Fiji Face Lift. It’s superb for maintaining results from Radio Frequency Microneedling and prevents the signs of ageing. 

Radio Frequency Microneedling combines these two treatments at the same time. The needles are charged with Radio Frequency as they penetrate the skin. This mean that the radio frequency reaches the skin tissue much deeper.  Trauma is caused from the needles as well as more thermal damage from the radio-frequency. This two pronged treatment provides double the results!

Which is better – Microneedling or RF Microneedling?

Benefits of Radio Frequency Microneedling on the body

After weight loss or postpartum clients can be left with saggy skin on the body which can look crepey and gets worse over time. Radio Frequency Microneedling is preferred over microneedling because the needle depth is deeper.  There is the addition of the heat from the Radio Frequency to really tighten the skin further.  Radio Frequency Microneedling & Microneedling are both really effective at improving surgical scars and stretch marks too! It’s important to note that its best to treat stretch marks and surgical scars as soon as possible for maximum results. If they are still new and pink then book asap, don’t delay! 

Microneedling vs Radio Frequency Microneedling

	Microneedling	Radio Frequency Microneedling
Skin Booster Serums
Pigmentation Reduction with Skin Boosters
Skin Tightening
Fat Redution
Pore Reduction
Lines & Wrinkles
Boost New Collagen & Elastin
Eye Lift
Signs of Ageing
Volumise Skin
Acne Scars
Surgical Scars
Stretch Marks
Crepey Skin
Course of Treatments	6	3 – 6
Time Between Treatments	2 – 4 weeks	4 – 6 weeks
Down Time – Dependent on Settings	1 – 3 days approx	2 – 6 days approx

Is radio-frequency micro needling worth it?

The radio-frequency has the added benefit as the heat cauterises the skin which reduces bleeding and any risk of infection. It’s literally like having two treatments in one which means that you get double the results. In a fast-paced world, clients are looking to save time during treatments so by being able to combine a radio frequency treatment along with a microneedling treatment is the ultimate experience. 

Does RF microneedling hurt?

With Morpheus8 numbing cream is required but there is little or no bleeding.  During Microneedling numbing cream is not generally required unless deep settings are required where numbing is required. 

What is radio frequency microneedling good for?

Performing Morpheus8 Radio-frequency Microneedling in the clinic allows practitioners to go much deeper than any other device on the market. RF Microneedling is really good for generating new collagen and elastin which creates a smoother firmer more toned skin. RF Microneedling is exceptional at contouring the face face as well as treating scarring, acne scars, tightening skin, stretch marks, open pores, fine lines and wrinkles. RF Microneedling can be used on the face or the body.

What age is good for microneedling

From the age of 25 years our collagen and elastin production starts to decline between 1 to 3% per year. Microneedling from your mid 20s is very good for stimulating more collagen and elastin to slow the ageing process and prevent fine lines and wrinkles.  Microneedling is also very good for treating acne scarring, the sooner scars are treated the better the results. Microneedling can be performed from the age of 18 years to treat open pores, acne scars and surgical scars. We can treat the full face or we can just treat single areas where there may be acne scars such as ice pick scars or box scars. 

Once ladies reach the menopause, collagen and elastin literally drops off 30% over night! Once signs of ageing are more noticeable such as; jowls start to drop, double chins appear, hooded eyes begin to form, overall saggy skin and loss of volume then we would recommend the Morpheus8 or HIFU. Its important to note that many ladies unknowingly start the perimenopause from their late thirties. Its more cost effective and results are best to start preventative ageing to slow down the signs. Sadly many ladies come into clinic with no education on skin health and no knowledge of basic steps to reduce the ageing process, this is where we really help.

Radio frequency microneedling is the ultimate treatment for all anti-ageing concerns. Having a course of radio-frequency microneedling to boost collagen is always recommended. Maintenance treatments of just Radio Frequency (Fiji Facelift) or Microneedling throughout the year will also significantly prolong results.

After a course of radio-frequency microneedling, make-up sits more evenly on the skin which creates that no filter look. It’s the ultimate non-surgical skin tightening solution whilst creating smoother skin and contouring the face.

How long does it take to see results

RF microneedling instantly triggers the bodies wound healing response for complete skin rejuvenation. The radio-frequency heat instantly tightens some collagen fibres but results are noticed from 6-8 weeks and will continue to improve up to a year.

Please see our treatments pages to read more about and Morpheus8 & Microneedling treatments.