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.