SECRET RF

Pros

• This customizable treatment is suitable for all skin tones, in the hands of an experienced provider. 
• It treats a wide range of common skin concerns, from uneven skin tone and stretch marks to fine lines and acne scars.
• Some patients have minimal downtime—just a few hours of redness—if insulated needles are used.
• The combination of microneedling and RF energy delivers better results than either type of treatment would alone.  
• RealSelf members give Secret RF an 80% Worth It Rating, significantly higher than more intense RF microneedling treatments like Morpheus8 and Profound.

Cons

• Some RealSelf members say that the treatment itself can be painful, even with numbing cream. 
• Depending on the intensity of your treatment, your skin pay be swollen and pink for a few days afterward.
• RF microneedling treatment results are even more technique-dependent than traditional microneedling, as the heat increases the potential for burns, scars, and changes in pigmentation. Some people also report lingering grid marks. Ask your provider to use insulated needles to reduce these risks. 
• Secret RF isn't as powerful as Profound or Morpheus8, which can be one-and-done treatments. You'll need an initial series of up to four treatments for optimal results. 
• While it provides some mild firming, it can't address moderate to severe wrinkles or skin laxity.
• There's a growing belief among some providers that RF microneedling treatments can affect thread lift results and "melt" facial fillers, especially if the filler is placed superficially. If you have filler in your desired treatment area, it's safest to wait for six months after your filler treatment before getting this or other RF microneedling procedures.

• Average Cost:
• $1,295

• Range:
• $575 - $2,500

Prices can vary widely, depending on your provider’s level of experience, their practice location, and the number of Secret RF treatments you get.

Keep in mind that you'll likely need an initial series of at least three treatments for optimal skin revitalization.

The Secret RF photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

A single treatment session takes about 20 minutes. First, your provider will apply a topical numbing cream to the skin's surface, to minimize the pain of the needle pricks and heat. 

Once the treatment area is numb, your provider will move the Secret RF handpiece and single-use needle tip across your skin, pressing in the tip to create microinjuries. As the needles deliver the RF energy, you may feel some pressure and zapping. Some people say it's painful, even with the numbing cream.

After your treatment, you might have a little pinpoint bleeding, as well as redness and swelling that can last a day or two.

Your provider will give you specific skincare instructions after your Secret RF procedure. It's crucial to avoid excess sun exposure and apply adequate sunscreen with an SPF 30+. This will help avoid new hyperpigmentation as your skin heals.

Some RealSelf members report seeing an improvement in their skin quality after their first treatment, with continued improvements after each successive session.

Results vary, but you may not see optimal results until three to six months after your last treatment, since it can take that long for new collagen to form. 

In her Secret RF review, RealSelf member mjames4964 says, “While I still have two more treatments to go—three treatments were recommended based on my skin issues—I am really happy with the improvement in my skin texture, scars, and overall complexion. My face looks refreshed/more even, my skin feels softer, and even my smile lines look better. The downtime was also minimal—I was just red for a few hours.”

You’ll need annual follow-up treatments to maintain your results.

While RF microneedling devices are considered safe, they do have the potential to do long-term damage to your skin in inexperienced hands. A number of RealSelf members report pinpoint marks or grid marks that remained on their skin long after their treatments.

Marks like this should resolve on their own within six months. If that doesn't happen, you may need skin resurfacing, like Fraxel or Clear + Brilliant laser treatments, to help clear them up.

The key to treatments like Secret RF microneedling, which purposely create injuries to trigger a healing response, is that the trauma is completely controlled. The needles should not tear the skin, and the heat should not burn it or be so intense in the top layers that it triggers pigmentation problems. 

Insulated needles are less likely to cause damage because they heat only the subdermal tissue, the deeper layers of skin below the surface. “By bypassing the epidermis, the risks of heat damage, burns, blisters, and pigmentation are all but eliminated, making this safe and effective for all skin types,” says Dr. Steven Swengel, a dermatologic surgeon in Los Gatos, California, in a RealSelf Q&A.

Especially if you have olive or more deeply melanated skin, ask your provider to use insulated needles, to minimize the risk of hyperpigmentation.

RealSelf Tip: As we mentioned before, some RealSelf members have expressed concern that the heat from the radiofrequency can “melt” their fillers. Doctors on RealSelf say that theoretically, this could happen with hyaluronic acid fillers. To minimize the risk, several suggest waiting to get any radiofrequency treatment for at least six months after filler, to give the hyaluronic acid time to be fully integrated into your skin tissue. You should also, of course, discuss this risk with your doctor.