“TL;DR: Radiofrequency, a high-frequency electrical treatment, effectively tightens skin by stimulating collagen contraction and promoting new collagen and elastin production. Deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency is the safest and most efficient method for achieving these results across the face and body, outperforming less effective techniques like infrared/red light LED or medium/low-intensity HIFU, and avoiding the risks of unsafe methods such as high-intensity HIFU or microneedling RF. Beyond skin tightening, this treatment enhances circulation and promotes fat release in the hypodermis, making it ideal for cellulite reduction. Safe, stimulating radiofrequency operates at 43-47ºC, targets deeper skin layers, and requires 6-12 sessions for optimal results, using continuous applicator movement without anaesthetic cream. In contrast, destructive radiofrequency, which burns skin at 60-90ºC, aims to create scar tissue, which is then baptised skin tightening, but often damages skin and yields inconsistent outcomes, requiring anaesthetic and static application. Low-power or superficial radiofrequency is safe but ineffective, as it fails to target the collagen-rich dermis and hypodermis. Combining deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency with high-power ultrasound cavitation maximises cellulite reduction and, in some cases, enhances skin tightening. When delivered by a skilled therapist, this approach is the most reliable and safe method for stimulating collagen and elastin synthesis, ensuring effective skin tightening and cellulite reduction.”
How does radiofrequency tighten the skin?
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?
Have a skin tightening/cellulite treatment with London’s cellulite experts
Advanced, infrared / blue / red light therapy treatments in London at LipoTherapeia
The Cellulite School™: Get advanced training in cellulite reduction and skin tightening
Radiofrequency tightens skin by stimulating collagen
Radiofrequency is high frequency electricity primarily used to tighten the skin.
This happens via two mechanisms:
It stimulates existing collagen CONTRACTION
It 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:
Either not effective enough: e.g. infrared/red light LED on its own, medium/low intensity HIFU
And/or unsafe: e.g. high intensity HIFU, microneedling RF, extreme intensity RF
When it comes to skin tightening/toning/lifting, deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency is the only SAFE and effective 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 by heating the deeper layers of the skin at 43-47ºC
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 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 for cellulite and skin tightening (the collagen-rich dermis and hypodermis are the correct targets for cellulite removal and skin tightening with radiofrequency).
Combination with ultrasound cavitation
Deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency is ideally combined with high-power ultrasound cavitation, for maximum results with cellulite reduction - and under certain conditions, even for skin tightening.
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.
Have a skin tightening/cellulite treatment in London with the experts
At LipoTherapeia we have specialised 100% in skin tightening and cellulite reduction for more than two decades and 20,000+ sessions.
This is all we study and practise every day and have researched and tried hands-on all the important skin tightening equipment and their manufacturers.
As strong, deep acting radiofrequency and deep-acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation are the technologies of choice for skin tightening and cellulite reduction, we have invested in the best RF/ultrasound technologies in the world.
Furthermore, over the last two decades we have developed advanced RF and cavitation treatment protocols in order to make the most of our technologies, for maximum results, naturally and safely.
And for even better, faster results, we now combine our RF/ultrasound treatments with high-power red/infrared light LED treatment.
Our radiofrequency/ultrasound/LED treatments are comfortable, pain-free, downtime-free, injection-free, 99.5%+ safe and always non-invasive.
(No unsafe and ineffective RF microneedling or HIFU and no safe but ineffective acoustic wave therapy, superficial RF (bipolar/tripolar/multipolar etc), low power RF/cavitation, electrical muscle stimulation, lymphatic massage, cupping, dry brushing and no ridiculous bum bum creams.)
Our focus is on honest, realistic, science-based treatment, combined with caring, professional service, with a smile.
We will be pleased to see you, assess your cellulite, skin laxity or fibrosis, listen to your story, discuss your case and offer you the best possible treatment.
Advanced, infrared / blue / red light therapy treatments in London at LipoTherapeia
At LipoTherapeia we are passionate about phototherapy (also known as photobiomodulation/PBM, red light therapy, infrared light therapy, blue light therapy, LED light therapy etc) and we use the most powerful equipment available today (up to 200mW/cm2), for best results and treatment of large body areas.
We use specialised therapy protocols for skin rejuvenation / anti-ageing, pigmentation / post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), moderate/severe acne, skin redness, sensitive/inflamed/irritated skin, wound healing, sports injuries / musculoskeletal pain and overall wellness / well-being.
Our LED phototherapy sessions are comfortable, deeply relaxing and super-safe and are great to enhance our radiofrequency/ultrasound treatments for skin tightening / cellulite reduction.
On our booking page you can book stand-alone phototherapy sessions or combine them with our other treatments, as an add-on.
Learn more or check prices and book an expert LED phototherapy treatment at our London clinic.
The Cellulite School™: Get advanced training in cellulite reduction and skin tightening
Do you want to deeply understand radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, LED phototherapy, cellulite and skin tightening?
Attend a half-day, 1-day, 2-day or 3-day one-to-one masterclass and confidently offer your clients the safest, strongest and most effective treatment possible.
Service available via Zoom or at our central London practice.
Learn more or check prices and book training at our London clinic or via Zoom.