Radio frequency skin treatments promise all sorts of amazing benefits: effective treatment, no downtime, no scars and the entire process takes about an hour. While these promises may have you itching to schedule your appointment, doubt may be holding you back. Can radio frequency really improve your skin?
While the answer varies between clients, for most people looking to improve skin texture and tone, radio frequency skin treatment is a good option. This technology is used in radio frequency microneedling, dynamic variable depth radio frequency and more, all of which have excellent track records of improving skin. This may leave you with another question: how, exactly, do radio frequency cosmetic treatments improve skin?
First, What Is Radio Frequency?
You are already familiar with radio frequency waves and much of what they can do. Your WiFi signal, for example, gets to you via radio frequency waves. Radio and television signals use them as well. Even your microwave oven relies on them to cook your food.
The radio frequency waves used in skin treatments are at the lower end of the radio frequency range, making them significantly weaker than those used to transmit radio signals or cook your food. However, this is the ideal speed for skin treatment.
What Radio Frequency Skin Treatments Can Do
One of the things that makes radio frequency treatments highly sought after is that there is a lot they can do. The most commonly touted benefit is skin tightening. Many of these treatments address sagging jowls, excess abdominal skin and even loose skin on the thighs and arms.
In addition to skin tightening, treatments might offer wrinkle reduction, cellulite improvement and even body contouring through the elimination of fat cells. Depending on the type of treatment selected and the needs of the client, it might take a couple sessions to achieve the desired results.
How Radio Frequency Improves Skin
The idea that the same type of waves that bring you internet access could also improve your skin might seem unbelievable on its surface. However, it all comes down to the way that energy works.
Like other forms of energy, radio frequency waves have the ability to generate heat. Radio frequency skin treatments utilize this heat to stimulate collagen and elastin production within your body and encourage the cell turnover rate to increase. This results in skin that is firmer, thicker and younger with improved texture.
This might sound similar to lasers, which rely on higher-frequency light waves. However, lasers can only address surface concerns as they cannot safely penetrate deeper layers of the skin. They also cannot be safely used on all skin tones as they can cause permanent discoloration. This makes radio frequency skin treatments more universal and dynamic than other options.
The Safety of Radio Frequency Treatments
While the effectiveness of radio frequency skin treatments is important, people also want to know if they are safe. Because everyone is exposed to low levels of radio frequency waves on a daily basis, their safety has been studied in-depth. According to the World Health Organization, they are considered potentially carcinogenic to humans. That might sound worrisome, but keep in mind that coffee and electric lines are classified in the same manner.
The biggest risk with radio frequency is the development of burns from thermal heating, but this only impacts those exposed to it in high doses and without the proper equipment — neither of which applies to someone getting radio frequency skin treatment.
Ensuring Your Safety During Radio Frequency Skin Treatment
While radio frequency skin treatments are considered safe, clients must understand that they are only as safe as the provider you choose. This is why it is imperative that you only work with qualified doctors and technicians for these treatments.
While the risk is lower than with surgery, poor results have the same potential to negatively impact your life. You want someone who has an in-depth understanding of how these treatments work and what techniques help improve aesthetics.
Plastic surgeons are more likely to have the training needed to deliver these treatments safely, as are the nurses and technicians they employ. Do not be afraid to ask how many of these treatments they have performed over the years, and request to see before and after photos that document their skills.
While there may be providers that advertise cheaper services, you should select a board-certified plastic surgeon to get the best results from your radio frequency treatment.
Author’s Bio
Serving the Orange County and Los Angeles area since 1980, Facial Aesthetic Concepts is an award-winning cosmetic surgery center with two highly experienced surgeons who offer facial, breast and body plastic surgery. Facial plastic surgery including facelifts, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty and otoplasty, as well as “mommy makeovers” are some of the core competencies of the surgical team.