About Needle Radiofrequency

Hello, this is Wangsimni Laon Dermatology!

When speaking with patients who visit us with skin concerns, we often find that many hesitate because they are not sure what kind of treatment they truly need. So today, we’d like to look at the concept of “needle radiofrequency,” which is widely used for acne treatment and overall skin improvement. This post will be presented in two parts and is based on a skin column by Director Baek Jong-heon :)

About Needle Radiofrequency

What is today’s topic?

To bring about a positive change in the skin, it is essential to deliver the right kind of energy to the tissue. Depending on the type of energy used, this is generally divided into laser, radiofrequency, ultrasound, and so on! Among these, the method we’ll look at today is radiofrequency, which penetrates directly into the skin to induce change.

Especially for people with deep concerns about acne or enlarged pores, this method will likely be quite familiar. Rather than simply stimulating the skin’s surface, the key to treatment lies in accurately delivering energy to the depth where the problem originates. From here on, I’ll explain the specific appeal of needle radiofrequency one by one.

What is today’s topic?

Radiofrequency laser

Radiofrequency devices basically work by using electrical energy to raise the temperature of skin tissue. The heat generated in this way plays a key role in inducing various clinical effects within the tissue. Depending on the device structure, they may be classified as monopolar, bipolar, or fractional, and each has a distinct depth of penetration and set of characteristics.

Since the range and intensity that appear when each device is applied to the skin differ, the process of considering each patient’s condition must come first. Rather than insisting on strong energy no matter what, it is important to determine which configuration is most suitable for the current state of the skin. Only with this kind of careful approach can unwanted irritation be reduced while still expecting satisfying changes.

Radiofrequency laser

Needle radiofrequency

As the name suggests, needle radiofrequency is a method in which very fine micro-needles enter the skin and deliver energy directly. As you can see from the image, after the needles are inserted, radiofrequency energy is generated inside, forming a zone of coagulation in the tissue. The electrical energy delivered is converted into heat within the tissue, raising the temperature, and treatment tailored to the type of lesion then proceeds step by step.

Representative devices include Potenza, Agnes, and Sylfirm, which are widely known! Because these devices inject energy directly through needles, they have the advantage that heat is not dispersed outward and is concentrated at the target point. Since the shape of the needles and the detailed settings differ from device to device, precise adjustment tailored to the area of concern is essential :)

<How does it work?>

• Micro-needles contact the skin

• Radiofrequency energy is emitted through the needles

• A coagulation zone is formed, producing treatment effects

• Characteristics and settings vary by device

Needle radiofrequency

The first feature

When using a regular laser, the energy must be adjusted very carefully depending on the patient’s skin tone and melanin levels, which can be inconvenient. In some conditions, management may even become difficult! By contrast, needle radiofrequency has a distinctive feature in that it is relatively less affected by the condition or color of the skin surface.

Thanks to this, it can be applied relatively safely even to people with melasma, a lot of body hair, or somewhat darker skin tones. The fact that it can be used broadly across many different cases is a major advantage of needle radiofrequency. For those who have been hesitating because they could not find a suitable alternative due to their skin condition, this may be very welcome news.

<Applicable to various skin types>

• Because of its radiofrequency characteristics, it is less affected by skin condition

• Patients with melasma, a lot of body hair, darker skin, etc.

• Can be applied to a variety of skin types and characteristics

The first feature

What is another feature?

Another advantage is that it can efficiently deliver energy to the desired depth while minimizing damage to the skin surface. Because the needle depth can be adjusted precisely, it is possible to directly target the inside of the skin without the help of additional medication. This creates an environment that is favorable for protecting the skin barrier while directly addressing concerns deep within the skin.

However, since it is a fractional method in which energy is delivered only to the tip of the fine needles, a careful process involving multiple passes at different depths may be necessary. This is because it is preferable to induce even changes across the skin through delicate repetition rather than a single stimulus. Now that we’ve looked at the basics of needle radiofrequency, in the next installment we will take a deeper look at the specific principles and advantages of acne treatment.

<Other features>

• Minimal damage to the skin surface

• Directly targets the inside of the skin without medication

• The treated area is smaller than you might expect

• Multiple overlapping treatments at different depths may be necessary

Acne radiofrequency treatment