Hands up those who’ve looked at themselves in the mirror recently, and wish they could turn back the clock? For those who’ve never had a facelift, but want a little bit of ‘help’ without looking like a ‘pillow-faced’ celebrity, then you’re in luck. Most modern treatments are much less radical and don’t require you to go under the surgeon’s knife to get a youthful complexion.
One treatment we’ll discuss today is RF Needling. While the treatment sounds scary, especially for those who squirm at a sight of the needle, it’s a non-invasive treatment which can have dramatic results. It’s a great way to tighten, lift and smooth skin texture.
“It’s natural for your skin to crease as you get older, as it loses elasticity. As a result, the development of the creases occurs,” says Dr Garry Cussell, the owner of Rejuvenation Clinics of Australia, who’s had over 15 years experience in skin tightening treatments. Dr Cussell explains there are many factors which can accelerate the ageing process. These vary from stress, unhealthy diet, smoking and sun baking. With RF Needling, it’s easy to knock off a few years from your face.
While celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston are still raving on about Fraxel, RF Needling has now become popular as it combines of non-invasive techniques such as micro-needling, radiofrequency and skin tightening. However, while RF Needling is said to lift jawlines, soften wrinkles and fine lines, as well as reduce acne scarring, don’t even think that this treatment is a relaxing facial. Did we mention there are a lot of needles involved?
Now you know that, you most likely have a lot of questions. So to make it easy, we’ve answered all the prickly questions about RF Needling.
Is it scary?
Despite being a non-invasive treatment, there may be a slight discomfort in the areas being treated by RF Needling, especially where the needles hit the bony areas. However, it’s less painful than a laser treatment. The needling takes around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the area you’re needling. Following that, you’ll relax with a cooling mask for 15 minutes. In addition, the experienced doctors and clinicians at Rejuvenation Clinics of Australia apply a numbing cream between 20 to 30 minutes before the treatment to reduce the sensation.
You may feel the needle sensation through the skin and heat. However, when compared to other facial skin treatments which require surgery, RF Needling offers a fast recovery.
Does RF Needling actually improve the appearance of wrinkles and acne scars?
There have been studies that show when RF Needling has been administered by an experienced doctor or registered nurse, it’s effective against acne scarring. A study published by the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery found that over 70% of patients who were treated with RF Needling to address their acne scarring found an improvement on their overall skin texture. Similarly, RF Needling has proven to soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, especially those around the eye and on the upper lip. This is because the needling slightly injures the skin, which stimulates collagen growth.
However, we must stress this technique is fantastic on sunken areas of the skin caused by acne, but not deep and narrow scars.
I’ve noticed DIY RF Needling kits around stores recently, is that the same thing?
The idea of doing a DIY RF Needling may sound appealing, especially if your finances are tight. However, there are potential risks when doing this at home. Many people who use these kits at home don’t know the proper technique – or even what size needles to purchase. The longer the needle, the more likely the skin is open to infections and this can affect the contour on your face.
Don’t try this at home. According to Dr Cussell, a DIY RF Needling is “potentially dangerous” and a “much bloodier” treatment, which can lead to scarring. “RF Needling requires proper technique, as a DIY procedure increases the risk of scarring and dermatitis. You have to go to someone who knows dermatology well in order to get the best results”.
If you’re interested in the RF Needling treatment call us on 1300 88 99 35 for a free consultation with one of our experienced clinicians.
