MED SPA BLOG
The Difference Between Microneedling & Radiofrequency Microneedling
So you’re tired of your wrinkles, sagging skin, stretch marks, and uneven pigment. You just want to look in the mirror and see the neckline that you had 10 years ago. Well, maybe radiofrequency microneedling is for you!
Frequently we get questions from our Grand Rapids patients regarding the difference between microneedling and radiofrequency (RF) microneedling. In this article Grand Rapids physician Dr. Charles Solon explains the differences between microneedling and advanced radiofrequency microneedling.
The History of Microneedling
Before going into the differences between microneedling and advanced radiofrequency microneedling, it will be beneficial to have a basic understanding of the history and science behind microneedling. Microneedling has been around for a very long time, it originally started as acupuncture in 100 BC. The Chinese originally used acupuncture to create channels in the skin to allow vital energy known as Qi to flow.
Today, acupuncture and microneedling are used to promote a natural self-healing process. Modern microneedling first came about in 1995 and was a procedure used to treat scars and wrinkles with hypodermic needles. This procedure later evolved into a skin stamp with small needles that was used to pierce the skin to stimulate elastin and collagen production. Today’s modern microneedling devices have been developed based on a skin needle stamp that was originally developed by Dr. Desmond Fernandes.
How Microneedling Works
Our skin is composed of three layers; the epidermis (outer layer), the dermis (deep layer), and the hypodermis (layer of fat). The goal of microneedling is for the device needles to penetrate into the dermis. The microneedling device uses an array of very small needles (measured in microns) to penetrate through the epidermis and into the dermal layer; this creates a micro-injury to the dermis, which in turn stimulates a natural healing response that includes the production of elastin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid.
Microneedling Improves Collagen, Elastin and Hyaluronic Acid
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body, it is present in all of our tissues and organs. Collagen makes up 75% of the dermal layer of our skin. Collagen gives our body structural integrity and firmness, it is the protein that holds our body together. Collagen makes our skin firm and plump.
Elastin is another body protein that is present in many of the tissues of our body including the dermal layer of our skin. Elastin makes up only 2% of the dermal layer of our skin but is critically important to give our skin its elasticity and resilience. As elastin decreases in our skin we start to develop wrinkles and sagging skin that has a worn appearance.
Natural aging decreases collagen and elastin production, but environmental factors such as sun damage greatly accelerate the loss of both causing you to develop wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Adjusting your lifestyle and skin care regime to address the loss of collagen and elastin becomes increasingly important after the age of fifty if you wish to keep fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin at bay.
Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring substance in our skin that attracts and holds up to one thousand times its weight in water. It helps water to bind to collagen and is responsible for giving our skin a healthy plump appearance and for keeping our skin hydrated. Unfortunately, just like collagen and elastin, hyaluronic acid decreases as we age and with environmental factors that we are all exposed to daily. Here again, adjusting your skin care regime to address the loss of hyaluronic acid becomes more important as we age, particularly after the age of fifty.
Microneedling vs. Radiofrequency Microneedling
All of this background on microneedling is fine and well, but what about the difference between traditional microneedling and RF microneedling? First one more bit of anatomy. In the hypodermis (fat layer under dermis) there is connective tissue, the fibro-septal network (FSN) that connects our skin to our fascia and muscle.
The fibro-septal network is an important structure in maintaining our skins tone and overall appearance. Think of your skin like a parachute and the lines that attach the parachute to the person jumping (out of a perfectly good airplane). The parachute represents the epidermis and dermis, the lines represent a network of fibers (FSN) that connects our skin to the muscle and fascia (the jumper) that underlies the fat layer.
Traditional Microneedling
Traditional Microneedling uses an array of very small needles, typically on what is called a microneedling pen to treat areas on the body for a variety of conditions like fine lines and wrinkles. A consultation with your aesthetic practitioner is typically performed during an initial evaluation where your cosmetic concerns are discussed and appropriate treatment options are discussed, including microneedling.
Depending on the area and condition to be treated appropriate needle penetration depth will be selected and the procedure will be performed with or without topical anesthetic applied prior to the procedure.
Micro-injuries are caused to the dermal layer stimulating a natural healing response which includes the formation of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Traditional microneedling does not affect the fibro-septal network. Microneedling is very well tolerated with minimal downtime.
Radiofrequency Microneedling
RF Microneedling combines the benefits of microneedling with fractional radiofrequency, to improve skin tone, texture, elasticity, tightness, and smoothness. This is done in a similar fashion as traditional microneedling, with the addition of a pulse of radiofrequency energy that occurs when the needle tips reach the preset maximal depth of penetration.
Our office uses the Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling system which delivers the radiofrequency pulse in the subdermal fat (hypodermis). The subdermal fat is where the fibro-septal network (FSN) is located. When the radiofrequency pulse occurs, it causes a contracture of the FSN which causes the FSN to pull on the overlying dermis and epidermis. Think of the parachute jumper pulling down on the lines that run to the parachute. This FSN contracture causes the skin to smooth and tighten which in-turn over time decreases wrinkling and improves skin tone.
The stimulation of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid still occurs from the micro-injuries to the dermis which gives the skin a plumper, more youthful appearance. RF microneedling works very well for the smoothing of fine lines, wrinkles, the repair of acne and surgical scars, and the treatment of stretch marks. RF microneedling gives individuals better results than traditional microneedling due to the radiofrequency energy that is delivered during the treatment. Radiofrequency microneedling is very well tolerated with minimal downtime of 1 day or less.
The Benefits of Radiofrequency Microneedling Include:
- Improves skin laxity, fine lines especially around the eyes and deeper wrinkles
- Reduces acne scars
- Softens stretch marks
- Evens skin tone
- Lightens hyperpigmentation and sun spots
- Reduces the appearance of enlarged pores
- Firms and smooths skin texture
- Improves scars, particularly acne and surgical scars
- Reduces broken capillaries and spider veins
- Gives your skin a healthy, fresh and more youthful appearance
RF RadioFrequency Microneedling – Grand Rapids
Spa Medica is among the first and only medical spas in the entire Grand Rapids area to offer this amazing procedure to naturally rebuild firmer, smoother, younger looking skin. Schedule an appointment today to see what Morpheus8 RF radiofrequency microneedling can do for you!
Grand Rapids RF RadioFrequency Microneedling: (616) 888-3890
SpaMedica GR – Grand Rapids Med Spa
APPOINTMENT REQUEST
Achieving your cosmetic goals and giving you the best possible results is our passion at SpaMedica GR in Grand Rapids, MI. We offer a variety of aesthetic treatment options to help you to achieve your cosmetic goals. At SpaMedica GR it’s All About You! We are here to help you make your skin look healthy and beautiful. Call us today to book an appointment for Laser Hair Removal, Injectables, Microdermabrasion with Dermalinfusion, Skin Resurfacing & Tightening, Photofacials, Microneedling, Fat Loss, or any other treatment we offer in our Grand Rapids Med Spa. We are here to help with your aesthetic concerns and will be happy to work with you to give you a natural, youthful look with skin that you will feel great about.
SpaMedica GR
Grand Rapids Med Spa
APPOINTMENT REQUEST
Achieving your cosmetic goals and giving you the best possible results is our passion at SpaMedica GR in Grand Rapids, MI. We offer a variety of aesthetic treatment options to help you to achieve your cosmetic goals. At SpaMedica GR it’s All About You! We are here to help you make your skin look healthy and beautiful. Call us today to book an appointment for Laser Hair Removal, Injectables, Microdermabrasion with Dermalinfusion, Skin Resurfacing & Tightening, Photofacials, Microneedling, Fat Loss, or any other treatment we offer in our Grand Rapids Med Spa. We are here to help with your aesthetic concerns and will be happy to work with you to give you a natural, youthful look with skin that you will feel great about.