Morpheus8 before and after photo courtesy of Dr. Wesley Anne Brady, board-certified OB-GYN in Dallas, Texas. Results may vary.
Morpheus8 before and after photo courtesy of Dr. Wesley Anne Brady, board-certified OB-GYN in Dallas, Texas. Results may vary.
Morpheus8 before and after photo courtesy of Dr. Wesley Anne Brady, board-certified OB-GYN in Dallas, Texas. Results may vary.
Morpheus8 before and after photo courtesy of Dr. Wesley Anne Brady, board-certified OB-GYN in Dallas, Texas. Results may vary.
Morpheus8 before and after photo courtesy of Dr. Wesley Anne Brady, board-certified OB-GYN in Dallas, Texas. Results may vary.
Morpheus8 before and after photo courtesy of Dr. Wesley Anne Brady, board-certified OB-GYN in Dallas, Texas. Results may vary.
InMode Morpheus8 is a skin rejuvenation treatment that pairs microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy. Using the FDA-cleared Morpheus8 device, a provider delivers RF energy heat into the skin via ultra-thin needles, creating controlled microinjuries. This triggers a natural healing response, promoting new collagen and elastin production that resurfaces and firms skin.
To help his patients better understand how this technology works, Dr. Vu Ho, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Plano, Texas, explains to them that it’s “like microneedling on steroids, because the depth and intensity of treatment can be optimized to achieve the desired outcome.”
“Microneedling is called collagen-induction therapy because the repeated puncturing of the skin causes microtrauma that initiates a recovery cascade of collagen production in the skin,” says Dr. Jason Emer, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon in West Hollywood, California.
Adding radiofrequency energy takes this process to the next level. With RF microneedling, “there is exfoliation and collagen remodeling, improving the texture and tone of the skin at the same time that it causes the skin to tighten,” explains Dr. Emer.Â
Most people need a series of at least three monthly treatments for optimal results.
In the hands of an experienced provider, Morpheus8 treatments have numerous benefits. They can:
Morpheus8 has the advantage of targeting different depths and treating specific tissue levels. For example, at higher settings and deeper levels, the treatment can reduce unwanted fat, as long as your provider takes care to avoid too much volume loss.
This popular RF microneedling treatment is most commonly performed for skin resurfacing and deeper tissue remodeling on the face and neck. It can be especially effective for treating mild jowls, firming the jawline, and smoothing the under-eye area and around the mouth.
It can also be used on almost any other body area, including the abdomen, buttocks, chest, arms, or above the knees. Some providers even offer Morpheus8 V for vaginal rejuvenation, to give labia a more youthful appearance.Â
It also shows promise as a treatment option for mild cellulite, but this isn’t the go-to cellulite treatment for moderate to severe dimpling.
While it's an effective standalone treatment, Dr. Ho says it's especially beneficial when used in combination with other procedures. “Morpheus8 is one of my favorite add-on treatments for achieving even better outcomes from surgical procedures, such as a facelift or liposuction,” says Dr. Ho. He tells patients that it works like a powerful skin conditioner. A facelift alone will tighten the tissues, but the quality of the skin remains unchanged. “Adding Morpheus8 to a procedure like a facelift allows me to rejuvenate the skin by enhancing collagen production, resulting in a more complete transformation,” Dr. Ho explains. “This takes it to the next level, and patients really notice the difference.”
Pros
Cons
Related: Does RF Microneedling Live Up to the Social-Media Hype? Top Derms and Plastic Surgeons Weigh In.
Your Morpheus8 cost will depend on how many treatment sessions you have, the size and number of treatment areas, the experience level of your provider, their practice location, and a few other key factors.
The Morpheus8 photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
Morpheus8 treatments can benefit people of all skin types and tones, addressing a broad range of skin concerns. It excels at improving skin texture, firming mildly sagging skin, smoothing wrinkles, and minimizing other signs of aging.
It’s also effective at improving the appearance of acne scars.
People with sun damage and dark spots should also see clearer, brighter, more evenly toned skin post-treatment.
Notably, Morpheus8 is suitable for people with olive or brown skin tones who might otherwise be at risk of hypo- or hyperpigmentation from other skin rejuvenation treatments.
Your provider can choose a needle type that’s safest for your skin tone and most appropriate for your treatment area. The 24-pin tip is most commonly used on the face and neck, while the smaller 12-pin “Prime” tip is best for small, delicate areas, such as around the eyes and mouth. The 40-pin “Body” tip is used to treat larger areas, such as the abdomen and thighs.
Each treatment session takes 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the treated area and your provider’s level of experience.Â
Here’s what to expect.
The treatment should be tolerable with topical anesthesia to numb the treated area, but it can still be painful for some people.
Before your treatment, ask your provider whether the settings will be high enough that you may need oral pain and anxiety medication, lidocaine injections, or Pro-Nox nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help make it more tolerable. Some providers routinely offer local anesthesia, to ensure patient comfort. “We perform a lot of procedures in the office setting, so my staff and I are very experienced at administering local anesthesia safely and effectively,” notes Dr. Ho.Â
Several RealSelf members who’ve had the treatment have reported severe pain—so much so that several say they couldn’t complete the treatment.
In an 2022 article in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Dr. Sheila Z. Farhang, a board-certified dermatologist in Tucson, notes that she removes the topical numbing gel just prior to treating each area, section by section, to give it the maximum amount of time to work. “In addition, we offer inhaled nitrous oxide to ameliorate procedure-associated discomfort and anxiety. This protocol has been highly effective with excellent patient satisfaction, and very rarely do we need to utilize nerve blocks or any form of sedation,” Dr. Farhang claims.
If you’re very concerned about your pain tolerance, you may want to consider trying a single treatment to be sure you can tolerate it before paying for more.
Morpheus8 recovery typically involves one to three days of social downtime for the redness, itchiness, and swelling to resolve. It’s possible to schedule the procedure on a Friday and likely be restaurant ready (or at least workplace ready) by Monday, depending on the intensity of your treatment and how quickly your body heals.
The treated area will be sensitive and prone to infection for up to several hours post-treatment, so it’s best to keep the treated areas clean and avoid touching it during this initial healing phase.
After that, you may be able to boost your results with the right skin care. “Stronger treatments with microneedling RF can leave channels in the skin for up to 72 hours, helping medical-grade skin-care products penetrate deeper into the skin,” says Dr. Emer.Â
It’s important to follow your provider’s aftercare instructions, but Dr. Ho offers these recommendations.
Some people begin to see improved skin tone and texture within a few days of their first treatment.
Your full results should be apparent about three months after your final treatment, reflecting the new collagen and elastin development.
Related: 6 of the Most Popular Morpheus8 Before and After Photos
Morpheus8 results can last for about a year or more, especially if you consistently use high-quality skin care products and regularly wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30+.
You’ll need annual maintenance treatments to re-stimulate the new collagen production and all its youthful benefits.
Morpheus8 is safe in the hands of an experienced provider, but it does have some common, temporary side effects.
If the redness doesn’t resolve on its own or becomes worse, your provider may prescribe prednisone or a hydrocortisone cream to help calm it down.
Microneedling results are very technique-dependent, and the heat from the RF energy can increase the risk of potential damage. Morpheus8 can go wrong, and some RealSelf members have shared photos in their reviews of long-lasting orange-peel texture or grid marks on their skin.
Burns and other heat-related injuries are very rare but possible, if the treatment isn’t performed correctly.
To help avoid these types of side effects, take your time to find a highly experienced provider—ideally, a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who has years of experience with radiofrequency microneedling treatments, with the happy patient reviews to back it up.
Both Morpheus8 and Ultherapy are noninvasive skin rejuvenation treatments that ramp up new collagen production. But they work differently to rejuvenate skin.Â
These are the key differences:
In some cases, Morpheus8 and Ultherapy treatments can be combined for improved results. An experienced provider can help you determine which treatments will best address your specific concerns.
Updated April 12, 2023