RF Skin Tightening Program: Maximum Brightening & Skin Clarity
Radio frequency (RF) skin tightening is a nonsurgical skin treatment to firm sagging skin. The procedure can give you a more youthful appearance.
How does radio frequency skin tightening work?
Radio frequency devices use safe levels of low-frequency electromagnetic waves to generate heat. This heat penetrates deep into your skin’s layers. There, it stimulates new skin cell production (regeneration). The treatment also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. These proteins give skin cells more strength and flexibility. As a result, sagging skin regains its firm shape and feel.
Who gets radio frequency (RF) skin tightening?
People who don’t want the extra expense, pain or recovery time of cosmetic surgeries may choose radio frequency skin tightening. The procedure:
- Improves skin tone, texture and firmness.
- Minimizes the appearance of sun damage.
- Provides a more youthful appearance.
- Reduces the effects of aging skin like wrinkles, fine lines and saggy skin.
Treatment Details
Many providers perform radio frequency skin tightening procedures. These include dermatologists, plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons. You can also get the treatment at a medical spa (medspa or medispa) from a licensed aesthetician (skin care specialist).
During your consultation, your provider examines your skin and learns more about your treatment goals. They may take pictures so you can see before-and-after results. You should let your provider know if you have an active skin disease, are getting any skin treatments or are pregnant.
Radio frequency skin tightening is an outpatient procedure. It takes about one hour, depending on the treatment area. You go home soon after the procedure.
During the procedure, your provider:
- Cleans and sterilizes your skin.
- Moves a hand-held radio frequency electrode device over the treatment area.
The treatment area may feel warm. And you may experience tingling vibrations or mild discomfort. You should alert your provider if you feel an uncomfortable burning sensation.
The benefits of radio frequency skin
- Gradual, natural-looking skin changes.
- Fast, relatively painless procedure.
- Less expensive and invasive than cosmetic surgeries.
- No peeling skin or scarring.
- Speedy recovery with no missed work or activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get other treatments at the same time as radio frequency skin tightening?
- Depending on your treatment goals, your healthcare provider may recommend getting other nonsurgical cosmetic procedures during the same appointment. These treatments include:
- Botulinum toxin injections (Botox®).
- Dermal fillers like jawline filler or dissolving lip filler.
- Microneedling.
Do radio frequency skin procedures increase your risk of cancer?
- The World Health Organization (WHO) lists radio frequency waves as potentially carcinogenic. This means they might increase your risk of cancer. However, studies haven’t found a link between radio frequency waves and cancer in people.
- Microwave ovens, TVs, computers and smartphones use radio frequency waves. The radio frequency waves for cosmetic skin procedures are extremely low. At present, this skin treatment doesn’t appear to increase your risk of cancer.
