Keeping up an appearance is serious business. Whatever your level of personal grooming, we all want to look our best. For some, it’s well worth the time and money to invest in Microneedling. If you’re unsure about what this technique does or just want to learn more about it, take a closer look here.
What Is Microneedling?
Several skin care products and methods have come and gone in pursuing rejuvenated and youthful skin. With each passing item or process, a little more information is gathered about how to help skin look its best.
With Microneedling, the name somewhat gives away the process. With a machine, a technician slowly and methodically inserts very small needles into the dermal layers of skin. The needles are painless and designed to stimulate skin cells’ growth and rejuvenation, specifically collagen, and elastin.
Minuscule punctures caused by microneedling cause some minor inflammation. Inflammation is our body’s normal response to any injury, no matter how small. In turn, the inflammation spurs the growth of new collagen and skin cells, which rejuvenates the skin’s appearance.
This procedure has been publicly available since the mid-90s and is proven an effective option for numerous patients. More spas and clinics have recently begun offering this treatment as part of their skincare regimen or treatment options. The leading New York laser spa, Bared Monkey offers this treatment option.
Since microneedling stimulates the body’s natural growth responses, it is being touted as a healthy alternative to more invasive skin care treatments, such as plastic surgery or chemical peels.
What Is RF Microneedling?
With microneedling, the brunt of the dermal abrasions is derived from the needles entering the skin. Physical energy is the main transfer of energy in this scenario.
RF microneedling adds an energy source readily available from the sun to help penetrate deeper into the skin’s layers.
RF, or radio frequencies, refers to the range of energy in the electromagnetic spectrum from the sun. RF is the same frequency that radio stations use to transmit their signals.
You didn’t expect a science lesson when reading about skin treatments.
RF waves are fairly low-energy or frequency waves, so they are much safer than visible light or infrared. They can still produce heat energy in the right applications, especially when treating more fragile or sensitive skin.
Is RF Microneedling More Beneficial?
By including RF with the original microneedling process, patients will benefit from the needle abrasions and the radio frequencies’ heat. Collagen and skin cells are stimulated much more, resulting in much more firm and tightly-bunched collagen and cells.
Smooths Wrinkle Better
Wrinkles result from ongoing trauma to certain crease lines on the skin. The more the creases are flexed and used, the deeper the wrinkles can become.
RF microneedling reaches more layers of skin. Damaged tissue, which causes wrinkles, is not just altered and stimulated on the top dermal layers but also from below the surface.
Address Deeper Skin Layers
As stated, the RF frequencies can penetrate and heat the tissue in much deeper layers of skin. By focusing rejuvenation on skin layers further below the surface, the anti-aging results from RF microneedling tend to last longer than traditional microneedling.
Good for Acne Scars
Living with acne and the scarring which can occur in more severe cases can have a devastating effect on personal lives and issues of confidence. Fortunately, microneedling has been shown to impact post-acne scarring reduction positively.
With the introduction of RF to the equation, patients are seeing better results in less time. The best news for reducing scarring is that once the scar tissue is removed and replaced, the scars are gone for good. RF microneedling has the potential to change how the world meets you completely.
More Customizable
Dual-energy sources allow dermal technicians to direct and control more or less energy to skin tissue for rejuvenation. If a patient needs lighter work, the energy and needle usage can be reduced.
If a patient is looking to reduce scar tissue, they may be able to increase the RF frequency to supply more heat energy. Patients looking to reduce extensive scarring can also inquire about more powerful laser treatments for more severe cases.
How Much Does RF Microneedling Cost?
RF microneedling costs can vary, depending on the patient’s needs, the areas being treated, and the spa or clinic providing the service. An RF procedure will cost around $450 but can range upwards of $2500.
Again, for comparison, a similar non-RF microneedling procedure will cost between $200 and $700. The cost comparison is clear, as are the results, according to patients who have used both procedures.
How Many RF Microneedling Treatments Will You Need?
The amount of RF Microneedling procedures a patient will need fluctuates based on individual needs. A patient will most likely schedule five treatments for a standard treatment schedule. After these treatments are complete, follow-up maintenance appointments can be scheduled monthly or as needed.
RF Microneedling Procedure
One of the greatest features of this treatment is its non-invasive nature. Most of the RF procedures won’t require extensive resting or avoiding activities. Some patients even have the procedure performed on their lunch breaks.
When a patient decides to schedule their RF appointments, it’s important to point out some do’s and don’ts before coming in for the procedure.
Do’s and Dont’s
It is advised to avoid some food and drinks before the treatments. In particular, it’s best to avoid alcohol 24 hours before and after the procedure.
Reduce coffee, tea, and caffeine before treatment and none in the two hours following the procedure.
Avoid fatty foods or a large meal at least an hour before the treatment.
If a patient’s skin is irritated, shows a rash, or is otherwise reddened, RF treatments will have to be suspended until the patient has healed.
Avoid any other laser treatments or procedures which may cause inflammation at least two weeks before an RF appointment.
Avoid sun damage or overexposure, such as sunburn, at least two weeks before an RF appointment.
If a patient takes blood thinners, this may pose a problem and restrict a patient from receiving treatment. Ask a physician before proceeding.
Patients with metal implants should avoid RF treatments, and the metal will react to the RF energy, causing excessive heat and burning.
Pregnant or nursing should avoid RF treatments for the safety of the baby and mother.
Arriving For A Treatment
When patients come in for RF treatment, they’ll find similar procedural guidelines.
Patients will need the area of treatment to be properly cleaned and dried. This will likely involve removing make-up, so some patients decide to forego make-up on the days of their procedures.
Patients will be administered numbing cream or gel to lessen any discomfort the treatment generates. The gel-cream will be removed once the numbing agent has taken effect, usually after 30-45 minutes.
The patient’s skin will be cleaned and prepped, often with rubbing alcohol. Even though the dermal abrasions are small and shallow, it’s important to avoid infection.
Once the procedure has started, the technician will pass the RF microneedle applicator over the patient’s skin in a methodical and patterned method. The patient will feel discomfort as the needles, and RF waves disrupt the dermal region.
After completing the dermal abrasions, a secondary cooling material or mask is often placed on the patient’s skin. Although inflammation is necessary, RF therapy is not designed to hurt the patient long-term or excessively. Calming and cooling the skin helps recovery time and overall tissue growth.
Seeing Results
With more and more patients becoming aware of the beneficial effects of RF microneedling, more spas and clinics will begin to offer this therapy to their clients. If you live in the city, choose a New York laser spa with a proven track record.
Bared Monkey of NY offers customers an opportunity to receive the finest skin therapy with the most state-of-the-art machines available. Text (551)230-6569 or email CARE@BaredMonkey.com for assistance in booking or rescheduling appointments. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are ready to assist you.
