Traditional Micro-Needling vs RF Micro-Needling

So, what is the difference between RF micro-needling and traditional micro-needling?

Traditional micro-needling is a procedure that uses very fine, sterile needles to penetrate the skin and cause micro-wounds, which stimulate the wound healing process. RF micro-needling combines this with radiofrequency heat energy, which delivers deeply into the skin, producing faster and more dramatic results.

Our RF micro-needling device does not use needles to puncture the skin. Instead, it uses an array of ultra-thin electrodes that thermally ablate the outer surface of the skin to reach the deeper dermis. Also known as collagen induction therapy, this minimally invasive treatment works by creating tiny punctures in the top layer of the skin with fine needles or pins, triggering the body to create new collagen and elastin.

What about at-home micro-needling devices?

At-home micro-needling tools may be an inexpensive alternative, but they are also not as powerful, effective, or as safe as micro-needling done by a professional.

Medical-grade devices are more powerful than at-home devices because medical providers must go through extensive in-person training to operate them. Unlike our micro-needling device, which stimulates deeper layers of the dermis, at-home micro-needling devices only penetrate superficial layers of the skin for safety reasons. This results in temporary skin brightening and exfoliation of the skin. It also does not stimulate collagen or elastin to produce long-term firming and smoothing effects.

Using at-home tools also creates a higher risk of infection occurring. Our medical micro-needling device uses sterile, single-use tips for each patient, whereas at-home devices only come with one set of needles. They may not be properly sterilized before and after each use, which would lead to the transfer of bacteria or microbes into the skin, causing an infection.

To discuss if RF micro-needling is the proper treatment for your skin concerns, please schedule a consultation or call 925.855.1773.