Profound RF is an FDA-cleared, minimally invasive skin rejuvenation procedure for the face and body. It uses a combination of microneedling with radiofrequency energy to firm skin, reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, and fade scars.
Ultra-thin needles deliver heat from the RF energy into the reticular dermis, the skin’s lower layer, to create controlled damage. This stimulates a natural healing response that reinvigorates the body’s natural production of hyaluronic acid, elastin, and collagen, the building blocks that keep skin taut and elastic.Â
The treatment is most often performed around the mouth and cheeks, along the jawline to treat jowls, and on the neck.Â
It can also be used on the body to fade scars (including acne scars and stretch marks), firm mildly sagging skin, and diminish the appearance of cellulite.Â
The Profound RF microneedling device gives your provider real-time feedback on the energy level and precise temperature of treated tissue, making it easier for them to control the level of injury and stimulate a healing response, while avoiding the potential complications of over-treatment.Â
RealSelf Tip: Profound RF and other RF microneedling treatments can be used in concert with injectables (like Botox), laser treatments, topical PRP, and other minimally invasive treatments for a nonsurgical facelift. In fact, some practices market this treatment as a "Profound RFfacelift," which can create unrealistic expectations for what it can achieve. Results certainly won't rival a surgical facelift (or even a mini lift), but for people with mild sagging and loss of volume, a well-chosen combination of procedures can create a noticeable improvement and postpone the need for plastic surgery.
Pros
Cons
RealSelf Tip: As with most radiofrequency treatments, people who are pregnant or have a pacemaker or defibrillator are not good candidates for a Profound procedure. You'll also need to avoid any kind of microneedling if you have active acne, eczema, or psoriasis. Alert your provider if you’re prone to cold sores, since the treatment could trigger an outbreak.
The price you pay for Profound RF treatments will depend on the experience level of your provider, their practice location, the size of the treatment area, and a few other key factors.
You can finance your treatment with CareCredit.
The Profound RF photos in our gallery have been shared by the surgeon who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
While every appointment won’t be exactly the same, here’s what you can expect.
One session can take 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area.
Immediately afterward, the treated area will be swollen, inflamed, and possibly bruised. The swelling often gets worse for a few days before it gets better.Â
Everyone heals differently, so while some people may be fine having the treatment on a Friday and covering bruising and inflammation with makeup on Monday, many need up to a week of social downtime. Some RealSelf members say the healing process took up to three weeks before swelling and bruising had fully subsided.Â
According to Dr. Danielle Shanley, a physician in Boston, “It’s perfectly normal to have soreness and numbness for one to two weeks and occasionally a month or longer after a Profound RF procedure. The radiofrequency that’s delivered by the needles may also cause temporary nerve damage, but this will resolve on its own.”
Some people start to see results from a single treatment in as little as two weeks, but it typically takes three to six months (and sometimes longer) before you'll see optimal results from the formation of new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.
The skin tightening benefits of Profound RF can last for up to two years, and improvements in your skin's texture may last longer.Â
You can prolong your results by wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more and using medical-grade skin care.
Both Profound RF and Ultherapy are effective, nonsurgical options for treating a variety of skin concerns in a single treatment session. RealSelf members give Ultherapy a 71% Worth It Rating—essentially the same as Profound RF.
However, there are a few key differences between the two:
A qualified provider who offers a range of skin rejuvenation treatment options can help determine if this is the best choice for your concerns and goals.
Updated May 24, 2022