How does radiofrequency tighten the skin?
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Does radiofrequency stimulate collagen?
The ideal cellulite reduction treatment too
Stimulating vs destructive RF
Low power / superficial RF
Combination with ultrasound cavitation
Collagen and elastin stimulation and skin tightening with deep tissue radiofrequency
Does radiofrequency stimulate collagen?
Check our professional consultancy in radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, cellulite and skin tightening
Radiofrequency tightens skin by stimulating collagen
The main thing that radiofrequency does is to tighten skin.
This happens via two mechanisms:
RF stimulates existing collagen CONTRACTION
RF stimulates new collagen and elastin PRODUCTION
In fact, deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency is the best way to achieve both collagen contraction AND production, on the face and whole body (skin works the same way throughout the body).
Any other technique is simply not effective enough (e.g. infrared/red light LED, medium/low intensity HIFU) and/or unsafe (e.g. high intensity HIFU, microneedling RF, extreme intensity RF etc).
When it comes to skin tightening / toning / lifting, deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency is the only game in town.
The ideal cellulite reduction treatment too
In addition to skin tightening, radiofrequency also stimulates circulation and, most importantly, fat release (if applied in the hypodermis), making it the ideal treatment for cellulite reduction.
Stimulating vs destructive RF
There are two types of radiofrequency: destructive and stimulating.
The above statements made here refer to safe, stimulating radiofrequency - also known as deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency.
This type of RF:
Stimulates the creation of functional collagen tissue
Is provided always below the pain threshold
Does not need anaesthetic cream
Involves continuous movement of the applicator
And needs 6-12 sessions for good results
On the other hand, destructive radiofrequency, or extreme intensity RF:
Aims to (literally) burn the skin inside at 60-90ºC, hoping that the tissues will react by building lots of dysfunctional, collagen-rich scar tissue
This does not always happen as planned and quite often results in damaged skin or even thinner skin than before
Is provided above the pain threshold
Requires the use of anaesthetic cream
Involves static, stamp-like application
And is touted to provides miraculous results with 1-3 sessions (good luck with that…)
Needless to say that destructive RF is neither safe nor particularly effective.
Good examples of destructive radiofrequency is microneedling radiofrequency - plus any harsh, anaesthetic cream-enabled, extreme high intensity, one session-miracle radiofrequency treatment.
High-intensity HIFU is another example of destructive treatment, but based on ultrasound.
Low power / superficial RF
Low power RF is obviously safe but totally ineffective.
Superficial RF is also ineffective, as it acts on the epidermis, i.e. the wrong skin layer (the collagen-rich dermis and hypodermis are the correct targets for radiofrequency skin tightening).
Combination with ultrasound cavitation
Deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency is ideally combined with high-power ultrasound cavitation, for maximum results with cellulite reduction and even skin tightening (ultrasound cavitation can stimulate skin tightening with certain protocols).
Collagen and elastin stimulation and skin tightening with deep tissue radiofrequency
In summary, deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency, provided by a well-trained, experienced and knowledgable therapist, is the most effective SAFE way to stimulate collagen contraction and collagen/elastin synthesis for skin tightening.
Furthermore, in specific cases, ultrasound cavitation can also be used for effective skin tightening.
Check our professional consultancy in radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, cellulite and skin tightening
If you are a therapist or clinic owner and are interested in our professional consultancy/teaching, via Zoom or at our London practice, please contact us here.