Can Microneedling RF cause loss of facial fat and/or scar tissue?

Question

Hello. I am planning to have Lutronic's Totalskin Solution (Genius, Lasemd, PRP) to treat acne scars and pigment issues. I heard that perhaps the RF Microneedling can cause a loss of facial fat which makes me worried about creating more sagging skin. I also heard that RF Microneedling can create scar tissue that may make a facelift more challenging down the road. Is this true? Thank you so much for your time and help.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for this great question. The point of RF microneedling is to cause a thermal injury to the skin that causes not only collagen buildup from repair but also causes some constriction of the skin for tightening. But you are wise to bring up the question of fat loss as fat tissue is prone to thermal injury as well. There are devices on the market that are specifically used to dissolve fat with thermal injury. The answer is in the depth of the treatment needle. If the depth of the needle and the thermal spread of the needle passes out of the skin and into the fat tissue underneath, then there is a possibility of damaging fat cells. Same goes for the facelift question, although I would be less worried about this with facelift surgery as the amount of scar tissue created and the depth of the treatment is likely more superficial than the level of surgical dissection.All this being said, if you are concerned about aging changes and considering at some point in the future you might need a facelift, my question to you is: Why not now? Why spend time and money on minimal procedures that are not going to create the outcome you really want? Save your money and save up for a surgical procedure that will deliver the results you really want and that will last you 10-15 years!Hope this helps!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACS
Owner & Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
VIVIFY plastic surgery

Gregory DeLange, MD · Answer

With the proper use of appropriate energy and depth microneedling with RF is a safe and effective treatment which provides excellent results for skin tightening and remodeling with minimal risk of scar/unplanned volume loss.  Which is why is so important to have your treatment performed by a board certified plastic surgeon with appropriate understanding and experience of this device. kh

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

In the context fo RF, namely Lutronic Genius the depth of needles can be up to 3.5 mm deep. In theory with long long PD and high energy settings with repeated pulses, fat loss can occur. This applies to many other devices if use inappropriately. In the context of your second question, RF is unlikely to cause idiosyncratic scars. Dr Davin S. Lim. Brisbane. AU

Can Microneedling RF cause loss of facial fat and/or scar tissue?

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Can Microneedling RF cause loss of facial fat and/or scar tissue?

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Everything you need to know about Microneedling RF

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