RF vs cavitation: what is the difference?

“Radiofrequency (RF) refer to high frequency electrical currents. Ultrasound / cavitation refer to high frequency sound - two totally different things.

RF is usually more suited to skin tightening and sometimes to cellulite reduction. Ultrasound is only suited to cellulite reduction. In both cases, relatively deep and strong treatment is recommended (low-power, superficial treatment is a waste of money and time.)”

Are radiofrequency and cavitation the same thing?

• Radiofrequency vs ultrasound cavitation: which is better for skin tightening and cellulite reduction?

• With radiofrequency we have emphasis on skin tightening - and sometimes cellulite fat reduction too

• With ultrasound cavitation we have emphasis on cellulite fat reduction - and sometimes skin tightening too

• What is lipo cavitation?

• Blood circulation and lymphatic drainage

• The importance of high power and depth of action

• So does cavitation work? Does radiofrequency work?

• The best of both worlds

• Radiofrequency / cavitation before and after pictures: don’t place too much attention on those, most are fake

• Have a real RF / cavitation treatment in London with the experts

• Discover our professional training in cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency and ultrasound

Radiofrequency vs ultrasonic cavitation: which is best for skin tightening and cellulite reduction?

If you're looking to improve the firmness of your skin and reduce cellulite, you may have come across these terms in your research:

• Radiofrequency or radio frequency

• Cavitation, aka ultrasound cavitation, ultrasonic cavitation or even lipo cavitation

While these two treatments may seem similar at first glance, they actually have some key differences, which are important to understand.

What is radiofrequency treatment?

With radiofrequency we have emphasis on skin tightening - and sometimes cellulite fat reduction too

First, let's talk about radiofrequency.

This treatment involves the use of HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL CURRENTS that are designed to heat the deeper layers of the skin.

The heat generated by these currents:

• Stimulates collagen and elastin PRODUCTION, which can help tighten the skin and reduce cellulite

• Stimulates collagen CONTRACTION, which can help tighten the skin and reduce cellulite

• Stimulates lipolysis (fat release) in stubborn hypodermal (cellulite) fat cells, which can help reduce cellulite

• Stimulates blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, which can help reduce cellulite

What is cavitation treatment?

With ultrasound cavitation we have emphasis on cellulite fat reduction - and sometimes skin tightening too

On the other hand, cavitation involves the use of HIGH FREQUENCY SOUND WAVES, which are designed to:

• Mechanically reduce cellulite fat, which can help reduce cellulite

• Boost blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, which can help reduce cellulite

Cavitation may also stimulate collagen production and contraction to some degree, depending on equipment and protocols used. In that case cavitation can also help tighten the skin and further contribute to cellulite reduction.

Additionally, cavitation may help break down fibrosis, which is an important part of cellulite.

What is lipo cavitation?

Lipocavitation is a made up word referring to the reduction of fat with ultrasonic cavitation.

Cellulite fat is easier to remove with “lipo cavitation” as it is more superficial (contrary to popular “wisdom”, ultrasound does not penetrate that much). Some deep fat can also be reduced, but not as much as some clinics claim to achieve with cheap, low-end cavitation equipment.

However, with high-power, deeper-acting cavitation some modest results can be achieved in regard to deep fat reduction - but not nearly those depicted in grossly exaggerated, fake, before and after pictures you see on the web, instagram and tiktok.

Blood circulation and lymphatic drainage

As mentioned above, both radiofrequency and cavitation treatments can help stimulate blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, which can contribute to a more youthful and healthy appearance and to cellulite reduction.

The importance of high power and depth of action

While both of these treatments can be effective, it is important to note that many radiofrequency and cavitation treatments don't work as well as they could, due to low power and/or superficial action.

In order to achieve the best results, it's important to look for treatments that use high-power, deep-acting radiofrequency and high-power ultrasound cavitation.

Superficial or low power radiofrequency / cavitation are quite ineffective (sadly, most RF / cavitation treatments available on the market are either superficial, low power or both).

So does cavitation work? Does radiofrequency work?

Aa discussed above, if RF or cavitation are deep-acting and of high-power they are the most effective technologies for skin tightening and cellulite. If are provided by a well-trained, experienced and knowledgable therapist they are also very safe too. And if they are combined they are even more effective.

The best of both worlds

The combination of radiofrequency and cavitation can be especially effective, as it allows you to address both collagen production and cellulite reduction simultaneously, in two different ways.

So if you're considering these treatments, be sure to look for a provider that ideally offers a combination of both.

Overall, understanding the differences between radiofrequency and cavitation is crucial for anyone looking to improve the appearance of their skin and reduce cellulite.

By choosing treatments that use high-power, deep-acting technologies, you can maximise your chances of achieving the best possible results.

Radiofrequency / cavitation before and after pictures: don’t place too much attention on those, most are fake

As discussed, most RF and cavitation treatments on the market are either low-power or superficial, so most are not that effective. Yet instagram, tiktok and the web are full of amazing before and after photos of “results” from such low-end treatments.

The fact is that real pictures, honestly taken, cannot display changes which have to do with skin tightening and cellulite reduction, even though these changes are easy to see with your eyes, feel from inside your body and touch with your own hands.

Furthermore, the average person cannot easily discern such changes, especially on a mobile phone screen - or even on the computer.

So most aesthetic therapists, aesthetic doctors, equipment manufacturers, skincare manufacturers, salons, bloggers, vloggers, Tiktokers, Instagrammers, tabloids etc) resort to doctored “before and after” pictures to depict some differences the untrained eye of the average person can easily see and consider worth going for when buying a product or service.

This usually occurs with:

• either photo editing apps

• or differential lighting in the before and after pics (the easiest and most common trick)

• or breathing in/out, for stomach before/after photos (yes, it’s that sad…)

• or displaying the “after body” smaller and the “before body” larger in the photos

• or using a different camera angle

• or using a different body position

The opportunities to mislead people are countless…

Because of this desensitisation of the consumer’s eye, due to exaggerated “before and after pictures”, people need to see spectacular results to pay any attention.

In fact, it is almost impossible for truthful companies who publish real (and, by definition, modest-looking) ‘before and after’ pictures, to compete with all the fake ones around.

So by all means check the before and after photos different clinics publish but pay attention to all the above tricks (especially the different lighting before and after) and remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.

Have a real RF / cavitation 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.

Our radiofrequency/ultrasound treatments are comfortable, pain-free, downtime-free, injection-free, microneedling-free, 99.5%+ safe and always non-invasive.

And 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.

Learn more or check prices and book an expert treatment at our London clinic (49 Marylebone High Street, W1)

Discover our professional training in cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency and ultrasound

Do you want to deeply understand radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, cellulite and skin tightening?

Attend a half-day, 1-day or 2-day or 3-day professional consultancy / 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.