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Dr. Brooke R. Seckel

SecretRF™ Radiofrequency Microneedling Skin Rejuvenation and Wrinkle Removal

SecretRF™ Radiofrequency Microneedling is an exciting new non-surgical method for skin rejuvenation including wrinkle removal, skin firming, pigment removal and acne scar improvement.

How to rejuvenate facial skin without surgery

All non-surgical skin rejuvenation methods rely on stimulating the formation of new skin collagen to firm, plump, and tighten the skin and remove wrinkles. Examples are lasers, IPL Photofacial, Surface Radiofrequency devices and other types of heat producing energy machines. These devices are designed to heat the deep skin collagen and stimulate the production of new collagen to rejuvenate the skin. Only deep new skin collagen produces effective skin rejuvenation.

To get heat energy deep enough to stimulate new collagen with lasers and other skin surface devices the skin surface must be cooled so the heat can get deep into the skin without burning the skin surface. Cooling the skin and the risk of burning the skin limits the effectiveness of laser, IPL, surface RF(Radiofrequency) and other devices applied to the surface of the skin.

What is different about SecretRF™ Radiofrequency Microneedling Skin Rejuvenation?

SecretRF Microneedle Handpiece On Patient’s Face(Photo Courtesy of Zarin Medical)

SecretRF uses minimally invasive gold-plated microneedles to deliver RF energy directly into the deeper layers of the skin dermis avoiding injury or burn to the skin surface. This produces a controlled thermal injury to deep dermal tissue causing new collagen production which plumps and tightens the skin more effectively than surface treatments. Unlike lasers and RF applied to the skin surface, there is less risk of burning the surface of the skin which results in a safer treatment with less down time. The clinician can control the depth that the needles penetrate (from 0.5mm to 3.5mm) and the amount of the energy, thus, treatments can be customized for the individual patient and treatment goals.

Diagram showing how SecretRF Microneedles interact with the skin to promote new collagen formation(Photo Courtesy of Zarin Medical)
Diagram showing how SecretRF Microneedles interact with the skin to promote new collagen formation(Photo Courtesy of Zarin Medical)

What are the benefits of SecretRF™ Radiofrequency Microneedling for skin rejuvenation?

Before and After SecretRF Microneedling Treatment of wrinkles-after 6 treatments 4 weeks apart(Photo Courtesy of Zaren Medical)
Before and After SecretRF Microneedling Treatment of wrinkles-after 6 treatments 4 weeks apart(Photo Courtesy of Zaren Medical)
  1. SecretRF microneedling is used to treat loose skin and wrinkles on the face, around the eyes, the cheek, jowls, neck, décolletage, arms and hands. It is also excellent on acne scars and other scars.
  2. Secret RF is safe for most skin types.
  3. There is low risk of hyperpigmentation.
  4. Secret RF Microneedling is usually well tolerated by patients requiring only topical numbing cream
  5. There is reduced down time, 6-24 hours of pink appearance like a sunburn and most patients will return to work the next day.

Why is SecretRF™ Radiofrequency Microneedling better than RF alone or Microneedling alone?

There is a big difference in the way that RF energy is delivered into the dermis between traditional RF and SecretRF microneedling.

Traditional RF therapy transmits RF energy through a handpiece sitting on the skin surface. This method delivers RF at a lower energy level (to avoid a burn) producing less collagen stimulation and the risk of thermal injury to the skin.

SecretRF microneedling uses the microneedles to deliver the RF energy directly into the deep dermis where maximum stimulation of new collagen can be produced for effective skin rejuvenation without burning the skin surface.

What to Expect during SecretRF™ Radiofrequency Microneedling Treatment

  1. Topical numbing cream will be applied to the treatment area which takes 20-30 minutes to take effect
  2. During the procedure the handpiece is moved over the treatment area, stamping the skin with the fine microneedles and delivering the RF energy. Each time the skin is stamped you might feel a prickling sensation and warmth lasting a fraction of a second.
  3. The treatment takes 10-45 minutes depending on the size of the area to be treated.
  4. Your skin will be pink, warm and tingling immediately after the treatment (like sunburn) and sensitive to sunlight, but there will be no significant pain. Pink color will settle over 3-24 hours.
  5. RF microneedling does break the skin surface, so minor pinpoint bleeding can occur. Significant bruising is very rare.
  6. Mild swelling might be noticeable immediately after the procedure but settles within 12- 72 hours.
  7. Most patients will return to work the next day without any obvious effects.

When will I see results after SecretRF™ Radiofrequency Microneedling?

Before and After SecretRF Microneeedling to Improve Skin Texture(Photo Courtesy Zarin Medical)
Before and After SecretRF Microneeedling to Improve Skin Texture(Photo Courtesy Zarin Medical)

Collagen production and remodeling takes time. The beneficial effects of SecretRF microneedling can be seen after 4-6 weeks and continue to develop for up to 4 months after each treatment.

At least 3 treatments are recommended, each spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart. Most patients will see significant improvement after 4-6 treatments. The more treatments you have the more improvement you will see.

References:

  1. ©2017 Zarin Medical: SecretRF FAQ (All rights reserved): http://www.zarinmedical.com/products/product/24/secretrf-rf-microneedling
  2. Photos courtesy of Zarin Medical
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