RF microneedling costs $999 on average, though the cost can range from $600 to $2,300, according to 103 reviews from RealSelf members who’ve had it.
Because it’s considered a cosmetic treatment, RF microneedling isn’t covered by health insurance.
Read on to find out why RF microneedling costs can vary so much and whether actual patients think their skin rejuvenation results were worth the price.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About RF Microneedling
RealSelf members give RF microneedling a 71% Worth It Rating, so while a majority of reviewers think their results were worth the price, not everyone agrees.
This nonsurgical skin rejuvenation procedure combines the collagen-boosting effects of microneedling with the heat of radiofrequency energy to improve skin tone and texture, pore size, fine lines and wrinkles, laxity, and acne scars and stretch marks.
Reviewers who say the treatment was “Worth It” saw a dramatic improvement in concerns like acne scars, skin texture, pore size, stretch marks, and eye bags.
Among those who weren’t happy with their RF microneedling investment, most reported problems like burns, scars, indentations from the needles, and post-procedure discoloration. Some even say that their results were devastating and seriously affected their quality of life. From a cost standpoint, several noted that they’ve had to pay for other skin treatments to repair the damage.
Microneedling RF results are extremely technique-dependent, so make sure you’re choosing a provider who has the experience to perform it safely and leave your skin looking better than they found it.
These are the biggest factors that affect the cost of radiofrequency microneedling treatments.
Who can legally perform RF microneedling varies from state to state, but you'll find it offered at plastic surgery and dermatology practices, as well as medspas.
If your provider is a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with decades of experience, your RF microneedling session will cost more than one performed by a medical aesthetician.
As you choose your provider, keep in mind that RF microneedling devices can create serious side effects and complications in inexperienced hands.
The heat settings, needle depth, and type of needle can all be customized to your skin’s specific concerns, so it’s best to be treated by someone who has the training and experience with the device and your skin type to do more good than damage—even if that means you’ll pay more.
Pay close attention to patient reviews specifically for RF microneedling, look for before and after photos of patients with your skin type, and ask before your treatment how they would tailor the treatment to your concerns.
Paying up-front for experience could mean avoiding the cost of additional skin treatments, to fix scarring or other complications.
Where you book your procedure plays a major role in the price you’ll pay.
Expect to pay more for RF microneedling and other cosmetic procedures in a major city, especially at a luxury practice in a swanky neighborhood.
If you’re on a budget, it can be worthwhile to get personalized cost quotes at more than one practice location, so you can compare. Look for qualified providers who have more modest practices in relatively affordable neighborhoods.
Collagen induction therapies like RF microneedling can treat a broad range of skin concerns, including acne scars and stretch marks. If you're booking an appointment to address larger areas like the legs or abdomen, your treatment will be more time-consuming and more expensive than it would be to treat your face or neck.
The most powerful RF microneedling treatments, like Profound RF, can create a noticeable difference in a single treatment. However, most require three to four treatment sessions every four to six weeks, for best results.
You may need to book a series of treatment sessions to see significant improvement to skin texture, skin laxity, acne scars, and other skin concerns—and then wait several months to see the end result: it takes collagen 30 days to regenerate.
The number of treatments you need will depend on the severity of your concerns and the intensity of your treatment.
During your consultation, your provider will recommend a treatment plan. If they recommend a series of treatments, you can ask if they offer a discount for booking all of them in advance.
Because this procedure typically requires little downtime, it pairs well with other treatments. Most commonly, it's paired with platelet rich plasma therapy, or PRP.
Depending on your concern, some providers also pair RF microneedling with laser treatments, such as Fraxel or Vbeam, to treat scars and stretch marks.
Providers often offer a discount when patients have multiple procedures, but having more than one treatment will increase your overall bill.
There are many radiofrequency microneedling devices, all with different intensities and RealSelf Worth It Ratings.
These are the average costs for RF microneedling treatments (from highest to lowest):
Some providers offer deals on minimally invasive treatments like RF microneedling. You might see them seasonally (for example, after summer to help get rid of sun damage), or around holidays.
Before you book a procedure, make sure you fully research and trust the provider offering the deal.
Yes, cosmetic procedure financing options like CareCredit can make the cost of RF microneedling more manageable, if you’re on a budget.
Your provider may offer their own financing options.