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Traditional Microneedling vs. RF Microneedling: Which is Better?

Our bodies are amazing machines of regeneration. That’s why they are capable of recovering from many different types of injury. Exercise is one example. It tears our muscle fibers, causing them to grow back stronger. Believe it or not, our skin is another example. With microneedling and radiofrequency (RF) microneedling, tiny injuries made to the right layer of skin stimulate it to tighten and look younger than ever. 

Before discussing how these two popular procedures are different, it’s important to first review what they work and what they have in common.

Microneedling and RF Microneedling Are Similar

Both microneedling and RF microneedling are a way to stimulate your body to grow younger, healthier skin by damaging it. Yes, you read that right. By causing a small amount of injury to the area treated, you can encourage your body to clear up, tighten, and rejuvenate your skin. 

Both the microneedling and RF microneedling procedures work by sending tiny needles into the skin at a specific depth to break up the skin layer. These “injuries” then stimulate your body to release the collagen and elastin necessary for revitalization. Think of it like churning the soil of a potted plant to more fertilizer.

And, thanks to a topical anesthetic applied in advance, both procedures cause little to no discomfort.

As a result, with microneedling and RF microneedling, you can treat the following areas:

  • face
  • neck
  • arms
  • hands
  • legs
  • abdomen
  • back
  • neckline area

While both procedures offer you a significant way to revitalize many areas of your skin, there are some differences between them.

The Advantages of RF Microneedling

Between traditional microneedling and RF, which is better? The answer depends on your specific skin repair needs. RF microneedling uniquely adds pulses of radiofrequency energy sent through its needles that heat the skin’s lower levels. This added feature provides the following benefits over traditional microneedling:

Better Wrinkle Smoothing: The heat delivered by RF microneedling boosts your skin’s collagen production, thereby increasing its effect on fine lines and wrinkles.

Better Results on Acne’s Scars: RF microneedling’s heat breaks up scar matter to a greater degree than microneedling alone, allowing for a more significant skin recovery.

More Customizable: RF microneedling can be adjusted to a greater variety of depths, allowing you and your doctor more flexibility in choosing the intensity of your treatment. 

Greater Results on Other Skin Conditions: RF microneedling is known for producing significant results on hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, sunspots, and skin laxity.  

Microneedling and RF Microneedling – Recovery

All this talk of “injuries” may make you think you need extended downtime for either procedure. Thankfully, this is not the case. The recovery time for either method is minimal, allowing you to return to work, usually the next day after treatment. You can also expect some redness, similar to sunburn in the treated area that usually goes away within 24 to 48 hours.

Making Your Decision

Which procedure is right for you? While we’ve shared several additional benefits of RF Microneedling, it’s important to note that traditional microneedling usually costs less. Therefore, you should review with your doctor your needs and treatment goals before making a decision.  

As a skilled expert in facial rejuvenation, Dr. Shadan Kabiri will help you decide which microneedling treatment best suits your needs. Contact her West Vancouver office today to schedule your free consultation!