Morpheus8 is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment that pairs the efficacy of collagen-induction therapy (commonly referred to as microneedling) with the power of radiofrequency energy. By using your body’s natural healing processes, this treatment can target a wide range of skin concerns, including fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture, acne scarring, and more. At Finesse Cosmetic Surgery in Waltham, MA, we are proud to offer this skin rejuvenation treatment to help you address your skin concerns and meet your aesthetic goals.
How Does Morpheus8 Work?
This FDA-approved technology uses microneedling techniques in conjunction with radiofrequency energy to access the deeper layers of the skin. Microneedling uses tiny needles to repeatedly puncture the surface of the skin, causing microtrauma that triggers collagen production (your body’s natural healing response) in the targeted area. Meanwhile, radiofrequency energy is delivered beneath the surface layers of the skin. This causes coagulation in the tissues, which creates exfoliation and collagen remodeling.
The combination of these two proven skin rejuvenation technologies allows this treatment to target both the upper and lower layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis). This results in deeper remodeling in the lower layers of the skin, which improves the resurfacing effects of microneedling. The depth of the radiofrequency energy delivered can actually be customized to reach different depths of the dermal layers to address your unique skin concerns with greater precision.
What Skin Concerns Can be Addressed by this Treatment?
Morpheus8 is a highly effective treatment that has been proven to improve skin texture, tone, and tightness. Because of its collagen-stimulating ability, this treatment is excellent for minimizing the many signs of aging. Additionally, this treatment can target a wide range of skin concerns, including:
- fine lines
- wrinkles
- lax or mildly sagging skin
- rough or uneven skin texture
- large pores
- hyperpigmentation
- acne scarring
- stretch marks
- cellulite
- sun damage
What Areas Can be Targeted by this Treatment?
This skin rejuvenation technology can effectively tighten, contour, and smooth out the skin. This treatment can be performed on almost any area of the body, including the:
- abdomen
- buttocks
- face
- jawline
- jowls
- neck
Who Is a Good Candidate for this Treatment?
Because this skin resurfacing technology targets such a broad range of skin concerns, it can be difficult to assess whether this treatment is right for your specific needs. This skin resurfacing technology can safely benefit all skin types and tones, addressing a broad range of skin concerns. While almost anyone can benefit from this treatment, there are certain types of people who may benefit more from this treatment.
People with Anti-Aging Concerns
This treatment is known for its anti-aging properties. From tightening and contouring sagging skin to smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, this skin rejuvenation technology is excellent for minimizing the signs of aging. It’s very popular to use this treatment to target the face, jowls, jawline, and neck.
People with Acne Scars
If you’re looking to improve the appearance of acne scars, microneedling with radiofrequency energy is particularly effective. Microneedling helps resurface the top layer of the skin, so it’s excellent for creating clearer, brighter, and more evenly toned skin. If you have active acne, however, you will not be eligible for treatment as the needles can spread bacteria from the acne and cause further breakouts.
People with Darker Skin Tones
Unlike laser resurfacing, which can be risky for medium or deep skin tones, Morpheus8 is suitable for all skin tones and is the safest skin resurfacing option for people with melanized skin. This treatment poses little to no risk of hypo- or hyperpigmentation. Providers can choose from different types of needles so they’re able to deliver your treatment using technology that is safest for your skin tone. Treatment can be administered using microneedles or coated microneedles, which offer different lengths of heat emanation, to target the deeper layers of the skin without causing damage to the skin’s surface.
What To Expect During Treatment
When you arrive for your appointment, we will begin by disinfecting the treatment area and applying a topical numbing agent. This topical anesthetic requires around 45 minutes to take effect. It is unlikely that you will need local anesthesia, but this is sometimes administered if your treatment plan requires a higher setting on the device. Once the numbing cream has taken effect, you’re ready to begin treatment.
During treatment, the microneedling and radiofrequency device will be stamped across the skin of the treatment area. The needles will puncture the skin’s surface and simultaneously deliver radiofrequency energy to the lower dermal layers. You can expect to feel some pressure during this process, but the numbing cream will minimize any discomfort. Depending on the size of the treatment area, you can expect this portion of your appointment to last 15 minutes to an hour long. For optimal results, you’ll need to schedule a small series of sessions (usually three). These will need to be spaced four to six weeks apart.
Does This Treatment Require Downtime?
Recovery from this treatment is relatively easy and requires no extra downtime. It is typical to experience one to three days of redness in the treatment area, which is sometimes accompanied by itchiness and/or swelling. These effects are part of the body’s natural healing response and should not be a cause for concern. Conversely, they suggest the treatment is working. Most people are able to return to work the day after treatment, though you will need to wait two days before using makeup on the treated area.
To avoid hyperpigmentation, it’s important to avoid direct sun exposure to the treatment areas for a few weeks. When sun exposure is unavoidable, we recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Sun protection is important, but it’s also necessary to avoid any skin-care products that might irritate your skin until you’ve healed sufficiently. Physical sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide will be more gentle on your healing skin, and sunscreens with active ingredients such as retinol may need to be avoided.
When Will I See Results?
The most significant changes from this skin rejuvenation technology will require some patience, as new collagen develops in the body. Full results will be visible in about three months from your final session, though clients typically begin to see the benefits of treatment within a few days. Skin tightening begins to become visible within three weeks of treatment. Tightening, softening of fine lines, and improvement in acne scarring can be seen with one to three treatments.
How Long Will Results Last?
Results from this treatment typically last about a year. We recommend taking good care of your skin and protecting your skin from the sun to ensure long-lasting results. This treatment cannot disrupt the process of aging, so we recommend scheduling an annual follow-up session to maintain the level of collagen production that this treatment produces (and all its youth-restoring benefits).
Your results can be boosted post-treatment with the aid of a targeted skincare regimen. Stronger treatments can leave channels in the skin for up to 72 hours, which can help medical-grade topical products to penetrate deeper into the skin. We recommend using products with vitamin C, growth factors, peptides, or hyaluronic acid, to add longevity to your results. Additionally, exfoliating cleansers and enzymatic masks can help expedite the skin’s healing process. If boosting your results through a skincare routine is appealing to you, we recommend you discuss this with our professionals during your initial consultation.
Is This Treatment Safe?
Microneedling with radiofrequency energy is a safe cosmetic treatment approved by the FDA. Though this treatment creates microdamage to the skin, this is a controlled process that shouldn’t leave any lasting damage to the skin. However, microneedling results will vary depending on the technique and skill of your provider. That’s why it’s important to always book cosmetic treatments with a highly skilled provider who has years of experience in this type of treatment.
Book Your Initial Consultation Today
If you’re looking to address any number of skin concerns, from acne scarring to aging, this skin rejuvenation technology can offer you the solution you desire. If you’re interested to learn more about Morpheus8 and discover if you’re a good candidate for this treatment, we can help. Call the experts at Finesse Cosmetic Surgery in Waltham, MA to book your first consultation and start your journey to tighter, clearer skin today.