Radiofrequency Needling

The energy is precisely delivered below the surface (epidermal layer) in those with olive or darker skin types or mainly deeper (collagen and skin gland layer) skin changes (utilising insulated needles) allowing relatively rapid recovery compared to laser treatments that need to delivered through the surface skin layer. This reduces risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (transient skin darkening) after treatments. By adjusting the needle length during treatment and between passes all skin layers can be targeted for best results. With lasers, most energy occurs at the surface and drops off as deeper skin layers are approached.

For those with significant surface skin ageing / photoaging and fairer skin type non-insulated needles are used to enhance surface or epidermal benefits. We often also combine RF treatments with a light Trichloracetic acid peel immediately afterwards taking advantage of being able to use low concentration well tolerated peeling agents due to their enhanced delivery allowed by following an RF needling treatment.

More severe degrees of skin changes will usually require a combined treatment approach (such as ablative fractionated CO2 laser, microfocused ultrasound, filler injections or plastic surgery).

RF delivers energy to different components of the skin for a range of benefits.

This leads to some immediate contraction of collagen with skin tightening, over coming months there is progressive production of new collagen and elastin leading to skin tightening and improvement in wrinkles and skin appearance.

When delivered in a fractionated precise way (skin layer / depth / energy) utilising superfine gold tipped needles the benefits including normalising many other skin changes of age, photo damage or due to medical conditions and problems such as acne or rosacea.

This includes:

• Reduction in pore size or enlarged glands (sebaceous hyperplasia)
• Skin redness, flushing, skin vessels and rosacea
• Acne scars including ice pick, soft undulating, red and hypertrophic scars

Not being a laser, this device can be safely and precisely used around the eyes.

Is Radiofrequency Needling safe?

Overall RF needling allows for the safe delivery of energy however it should not be used in those with implanted electronic devices such as pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators, nerve stimulation. Expected reactions include skin redness, swelling, dry skin and transient patterning of this skin particularly in the days after treatment.

Although radiofrequency allows for high levels of energy deliver to the skin in experienced hands this is able to be done precisely, while other delivery methods add some unpredictability due to differences in skin conductivity utilising skin surface probes where scarring can occur should hot spots occur. If the treatment is rushed and the hand piece is scraped along the skin surface before the needles have fully withdrawn from the skin can result in skin gridding that usually settles over days or weeks.

Is Radiofrequency needling painful?

Without appropriate precautions the treatment would be painful. To address this an anaesthetic cream is applied beforehand and a premed is offered. For deeper stronger treatments you may be offered nerve blocks, and laughing gas.