SECRET RF - RADIOFREQUENCY MICRONEEDLING IN BIRMINGHAM
MULTI AWARD WINNING LUXURY AESTHETIC CLINIC
PROCEDURE TIME
30-60 Minutes
TREATS
General Anti-Ageing, Scars, Skin quality, laxity, texture and appearance Stretch Marks
DOWNTIME
Variable depending on intensity (None-few days)
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Swelling, redness, peeling
TREATMENT AREA
Face & Body
PRICE
£600 per session
£1500 for course of 3
DONE BY
Advanced Skin Therapist
BONUS
Free Complimentary Mailbox Parking Additional privacy facility available upon request 24/7 access to Royal College of Emergency Medicine doctor for all post care emergencies
About:
Secret RF by Cutera is considered the Rolls-Royce of radiofrequency microneedling devices. If you don’t believe us, independently have a look at its reviews from all over the world compared to other radiofrequency microneedling device companies like Morpheus, Scarlet RF, Profound RF and Genius RF. With so many radiofrequency microneedling treatments being offered in Birmingham with such vast and varied price points, it is really important to understand why they’re not all the same.
Cutera has invested in the best technology rather than marketing and it is their results that have given them their position as the leading provider for results-driven devices. At Secret Aesthetics we choose to invest in the best technology rather than just a name.
The best way to appreciate this is by comparing these devices to cars. All cars aim to do the same thing, but they’re not all built the same way, with the same horse power, speed or comfort. 1 session of Secret RF can replenish collagen lost in an entire year! We usually recommend commencing with a course of 3 to really pack a punch and replenish many years of collagen loss, then maintain it at least once to three times a year (depending on baseline skin quality, age, other lifestyle factors that may degrade collagen loss faster). It is our skin doctor’s view, Dr Zoya, that every single person should integrate this as a preventative strategy from their 20s rather than wait for years of sun damage or premature collagen loss.
Radiofrequency microneedling works by combining two evidence-based collagen stimulating and hence subsequent skin tightening and scar-improving technologies in to one powerhouse: radiofrequency and microneedling. Both aim to stimulate fibroblasts to produce collagen. Collagen is the key building block of your dermis. Irregular collagen formation is also the key player in scarring. We lose this at a rate of 1% a year after the age of 25 which is why scars, texture, lines, wrinkles and general skin quality can all look worse with natural ageing. Collagen is like the pillar of support underneath your skin so losing it is fundamental to many signs of ageing: loose/lax skin, loss of firmness and plumpness, fine lines, folds and wrinkles. Microneedling stimulates production of new, type 1 collagen by causing micro, controlled trauma which fibroblasts wake up to and radiofrequency does this through controlled heat. The simultaneous tissue coagulation and haemostasis allows for collagen remodelling and new collagen production. Combining the two together has shown more efficacious results in fewer sessions than either modality being used alone. Secret RF allows both the energy of the radiofrequency and depth of the needles to be controlled and tweaked to the individual’s treatment goal and skin quality for a truly bespoke protocol. There are different needle types depending on what needs to be targeted.
Unfortunately some people sell this treatment as a non-surgical facelift. It is not. However it is the best device on the market in our opinion, for overall collagen stimulation, skin tightening and we believe it has a powerful role in general anti-ageing alongside good skincare and lifestyle practices. Unlike injectable collagen stimulators or skin boosters such as Sculptra, Profhilo, Restylane Vital, Ellanse, HarmonyCA or Radiesse, radiofrequency microneedling can be used everywhere – all over the face, including around the eyes and forehead which the other forms are restricted to.
Procedure:
You will begin with a consultation, facial analysis and evaluation of your medical history and personal expectations by our doctor or skin therapist.
You will begin with a consultation, facial analysis and evaluation of your medical history and personal expectations by our doctor or skin therapist. A treatment plan will be created for you in advance. Baseline photos and sometimes videos are taken to monitor changes.
On the day of the treatment, it is important you arrive at least 30 minutes in advance for topical numbing cream to be applied. The area will be cleansed with antiseptic and the targeted areas marked out. The procedure itself usually takes no more than 30 minutes but depends on number of areas being treated. Once the treatment is finished, it is then cleaned again with an antiseptic and any appropriate creams and balms are applied.
Results:
The underlying treatment aim is to allow your body to remodel its own collagen and stimulate new collagen formation.
The underlying treatment aim is to allow your body to remodel its own collagen and stimulate new collagen formation. As this is based on your body’s response, it is highly variable. Good skincare and lifestyle practices are imperative to optimise and maintain results
Multiple sessions may be required depending on what the aim of treatment is ie) scar improvement.
Anti-ageing – to replenish collagen loss and boost its production, remember the body is constantly losing collagen each year so the treatment is seen as a way to fight against this natural part of the ageing process hence after an initial course, it is advised to keep up with maintenance sessions as part of your long-term skin plan. If you smoke, have a lot of sun exposure for instance
Scars & stretch marks – the aim is to improve their appearance but there is no guarantee that there will be a 100% improvement, infact it is important to manage this expectation as the majority of scars will never 100% improve regardless of treatment modality used. Whatever improvement is seen is considered permanent.
Contraindication's:
- Pregnancy
- Patients with cardiac pacemaker
- Patients with active implantable metal device (ICD) in treatment area
- Roaccutane within previous 6 months
Melasma in treatment area - Active skin conditions in treatment area ie) acne, psoriasis, sores, eczema, rashes, open wounds
- Allergies or adverse reactions to local anaesthesia – procedure can be attempted without anaesthesia in some cases
- Tattoos or permanent makeup in treatment area
Pre-Care:
Your Pre-care & Advice
- No alcohol, ibuprofen or aspirin at least 48hrs prior. These thin the blood, increasing the risk of bruising and prolonged swelling
- You must come at least 45 minutes earlier for deep numbing cream to be applied. Paracetamol can be taken 500mg x2 at this time (optional). If BBL is being done at the same time, numbing will be applied after the BBL treatment so is included in the treatment time.
- You must not have tanned for at least 2 weeks before or have any active tan on the day of the treatment in the area being treated
- Stop all topical steroids, actives, acids, retinoids, AHAS, BHAS 5 days before
- If you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, there is a risk that this treatment could contribute to a recurrence.
- If you are acne-prone, you will require 5 days of doxycycline post-procedure to reduce the risk of a temporary breakout
- If a more intense treatment is being conducted, antivirals and antibiotics may be prescribed
- Skin care or treatment programs may be used before and after laser skin treatments in order to enhance the results or minimise the risk of side effects – if required, the clinician will discuss this with you at your initial consultation.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you disclose all medications, prescription and over the counter, herbal or recreational drugs in advance in our pre-treatment medical questionnaire.
Cautions:
The Cautions
- Blood thinning medications
- Breastfeeding
- History of abnormal wound healing, hypertrophic or keloid scars as well as very dry,fragile skin -if you are prone to this, it is possible the holes may heal poorly – the procedure can be done but with this additional risk taken in to consideration
- Face lift or eyelid surgery in treatment area within 1yr of treatment
- Tanned skin from sun, tanning beds or tanning creams within 2 weeks of treatment
- Treatment with other radiofrequency or light device within 1 month in treatment area
- Facial dermabrasion, facial resurfacing or deep chemical peeling within the last 3 months
- It is your responsibility to ensure you disclose all medications, prescription and over the counter, herbal or recreational drugs in advance in our pre-treatment medical questionnaire.
- Patients with known sensitivities or allergies to metals (including gold, chromium and nickel)
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS & RISKS
The side effects and possible risks.
The procedure may result in the following adverse experiences or risks:
- DISCOMFORT / PAIN – Some discomfort and/or pain may be experienced during treatment. A topical anaesthetic will be applied to your skin before treatment. Other forms of anaesthesia, or pain management, may also be used.
- SWELLING – Swelling (oedema) of the treated area is common and may occur. This usually resolves in a few days.
- REDNESS – Redness (erythema) of the treatment area is common and may occur. Make-up can usually be applied after 5 to 7 days and the erythema normally resolves in about two weeks.
- SKIN COLOR CHANGES – During the healing process, there is a possibility that the treated area may become either lighter (hypopigmentation) or darker (hyperpigmentation) in colour compared to the surrounding skin. This is usually temporary, but, on a rare occasion, it may be permanent.
- MILIA / ACNE – Ointments that occlude hair follicles, sweat ducts, or sebaceous ducts may lead to milia/acne formation. This is more common in patients with a history of cystic acne or oily skin.
- WOUNDS – Treatment can result in burning, blistering, or bleeding of the treated areas. The bleeding can rarely cause a large bruise called a haematoma
- STAMPING/IMPRINTING MARKS- it is occasionally possible with any energy and heat based stamping device to have marks imprinted on the skin surface. This usually resolves on its own with time but extremely rarely it can be permanent
- SCARRING- it is rarely possible for the skin to heal as a scar. If a burn occurs this can also rarely result in a permanent scar
- INFECTION – Infection is a possibility whenever the skin surface is disrupted which can lead to scarring.
- CONTACT / ALLERGIC DERMATITIS OR SKIN SENSITIVITY – Potential increased sensitivity, irritation/itching or allergic reaction of the skin due to skin surface disruption
- PETECHIAE – May appear for several weeks after healing and clear without treatment
- DILATED PORES – Collagen contraction that occurs as part of the resurfacing process may also contract the skin between the pores, which widens the existing pores. This occurrence, though rare, is permanent.
- ANY SUN EXPOSURE / TANNING BEDS / ARTIFICIAL TANNING -Especially within the first 2 weeks of treatment may increase risk of side effects and adverse events
- ALLERGY – There is a risk of an allergic reaction to the numbing cream
- EYE EXPOSURE – Protective eyewear (shields) will be provided to you during the treatment. Failure to wear eye shields during the entire treatment may cause severe and permanent eye damage
- UNSATISFACTORY RESULTS AND/OR FAILURE OF TREATMENT – as with any procedure, we cannot guarantee any outcomes. There is always a risk that there is no visible change or improvement at all
- IRREVERSIBLE FAT MELTING – although not an intended aim for the treatment, it is possible rarely with higher settings to effect subcutaneous fat which may melt permanently.
Aftercare
Our advice on how to take care of your skin after the treatment.
- Immediately post-treatment, appropriate creams/balms and/or soaks will be applied
- Wait at least 4 hours before touching the area treated, washing face or applying soap, cream or makeup to the treatment area
- Only use a gentle cleanser, gentle moisturiser and sun screen for at least 5 days post-treatment
- Avoid sun exposure and use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen to prevent further sun damage – this should be done ideally for the whole healing period but for at least the first 48 hours
- Avoid heat – hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis and hot showers etc. for 1-2 days
- Stop skin irritants (examples below) 5 days before and after treatment
- Products containing tretinoin, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic/salicylic acids, vitamin C/ascorbic acid, astringents, etc.
- It is important that you not pick or scratch the sites whilst it is healing as this may lead to permanent scars or promote an infection.
- No alcohol, ibuprofen or aspirin or any blood thinning medication for 48hrs as this increases the risk of prolonged bruising and swelling– please ensure you disclose all medications prescription and over the counter, herbal or recreational in advance
- Notify clinic of any concerns (blistering, excessive redness/swelling and/or persistent gridmarks on the face lasting more than 1 week and on the body lasting more than 1 month)
