Fractional RF Max RF At A Glance
- Best Results4-6 sessions
- Treatment RecoveryNext day - 4 d
- Procedure Time30 min
- Skin SpecialistDermal Therapist
- Duration of ResultsLong term
- AnaestheticNumbing Gel
- Back to WorkImmediately - 2 d
- Cost$
Fractional RF Max RF
Fractional RF is a form of microneedling or dermal stamping using very tiny needles. It is a much weaker form of radiofrequency delivery & hence is primarily used for treating mild & early acne scars. Laser resurfacing gives better results than nano fractional RF, with similar downtime.
FactsFacts on Fractional RF
- This form of fractional energy is nearly 15 years old
- Devices include eMatrix, e2 & Max RF
- Fractional RF can improve very mild & early acne scars
- Newer devices including fractional Tixel, Picolasers & fractional lasers have replaced fractional RF
- RF Insulated Microneedling is reserved for very deep & severe acnes scars
What is Fractional RF?
Fractional devices treat a percentage of the skin. This allows for much faster healing times. RF stands for Radio Frequency. This is a gentle way of heating skin to increase collagen & decrease acne scars. RF can be delivered through tiny pins, probes, or deeper needles.
How many treatments would I need?
Typically 4-8. Treatments are spaced 3-8 weeks apart.
When will I see results?
With Max RF Fractional RF, results are much slower compared to other devices such as eMatrix, e2, Genius RFM, Infini RFM & Morpheus 8. The reason is because it is limited in both depth & power. Results are seen after 2-4 sessions, typically 8-12 weeks after starting treatment.
Patients will see faster & better results following fractional laser resurfacing.
What is the recovery following fractional RF?
2-4 days depending on the device. Skin recovery following RF treatments typically go through phases.
Immediately after fractional RF: Red dots, slight swelling.
Day 1-2: Red dots, swelling decreases.
Day 2-4: Dots fading, possibly some mild cruising & scabs.
Day 5+: Recovery expected.
The downtime for Max RF is about 2-4 days, whilst other more powerful devices such as eMatrix & microneedling RF can be 3-6 days.
View our Treatment Gallery
What fractional devices do I use for the treatment of acne scars?
I don’t quite like devices like the Max RF & even eMatrix – e2 for the management of acne scars. The reason is that they are much too weak to improve significant established acne scarring. Fractional devices like RF microneedling or CO2 lasers deliver much better results, with similar downtime.
I do think that weaker & less invasive RF devices such as the Max RF, eMatrix & e2 should be used for milder scars or early acne scarring (less than 3 months old). The majority of low downtime ‘pin based’ RF treatments have been replaced with fractional TIXEL treatment.
Why is it important to approach acne scarring with a method, & not with a device?
There are many forms of acne scarring, including red scars (macular erythema), atrophic scars, hypertrophic scars & pigmented scars. Each scar type will have an optimal treatment. At Clinic Cutis we approach acne scarring at a medical level, & not cosmetic. We employ treatments such as lasers, microneedling, RFM, deep peels & over 10 other fractional devices to effectively treat your pattern of acne scarring.
Why have I replaced fractional RF with Tixel?
I still use Fractional RF for scarring, however for mild & early scars I have largely replaced this older technique with Tixel. This form of fractional energy uses controlled heating of the skin. This treatment gives better results than Max RF, with similar downtime but much less pain. This is because heat is delivered in very short bursts. This remodels collagen, but has less side effects than fractional RF.
When do we use fractional RF to treat acne scars?
My team & I employ deep fractional RF to treat established, moderate to severe, atrophic acne scars in darker skin types, or when downtime is an issue. Our device of choice in this setting is the Genius RFM. This form of fractional RF –
- Is much more powerful than Max Fractional RF
- Goes 10 X deeper than Max RF & eMarix (if required)
- Has thermal insulation which protects the upper skin
- Has impedance control that varies power according to resistance
- Gives better results with less downtime compared to other devices
How do I maximise the benefits of my skin treatments?
Combining treatment with Low Level Laser Emitting Diodes can speed up recovery.
Additionally the use of clinical skin care can help remodel collagen. I advocate the use of retinol, as well as skin care acids, antioxidants & vitamins such as niacinamide & ascorbic acid.
Be guided by your skin expert as to the correct combinations for your skin concerns
RFM, or radiofrequency microneedling is a useful treatment for many things, however I employ it specifically to treat
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👉Acne scars: rolling subtype, in all skin types. I adjust the depth according to the amount of atrophy. Sticking a cannula under the scars is a superfast & reliable method for depth adjustment💯
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👉Lower face laxity: as part of our combined skin tightening approach. Best if collagen is ‘loose’ & not fragmented (solar elastosis). RF can be used with threads, lasers & other tightening modalities
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👉🐔Neck laxity: hit and miss, best used in mild to mild-moderate laxity. Neck is one of the least predictable treatment areas
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💦💧Axillary HH; failing Botox, miraDry & topicals. Can be dialed in for most cases to within 0.1-0.2 mm
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👍🏻Neck liposuction: I use it in some cases to aid in skin tightening during the liposuction procedure
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🔫☄️Genius RF: one of the better RF devices. Has heaps of power. I have modified my settings to delivery longer pulse duration & lower power
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😎Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane,🇦🇺
#genius #infini #geniusRF #RFM #microneedling #rf microneedling #acnescars #skintightening #skinlaxity #drdavinlim #davinlim
How do I know what is the best acne scar treatment for me?
Everyone’s scar pattern is unique & everyone will have different skin goals. My clinical team offers FREE consultations to give you the information you need about treatments suitable for your scar type.
Alternatively I can assess your pattern of acne scars and can come up with a suitable treatment plan. This requires a referral from your GP. A consultation fee applies if I provide a formal consultation.
Davin’s Viewpoint on Fractional RF for Acne Scars
Much like other less invasive & commercially available treatments, fractional RF can improve mild & early acne scars. There are however, much better treatments that dermatology clinics use.
I did use a lot of fractional RF treatments for acne scarring over a decade ago. With newer technology, better results can be achieved with similar downtime. Treatments include Tixel fractional resurfacing for treating early scars, vascular lasers for treating red scars & newer RFM devices like Genius & Infini RFM for treating deeper, more resistant acne scars.
For early & mild acne scars, my clinical team of nurses can assess, & provide you a treatment plan based upon your acne scar type. At Clinic Cutis we are not limited by technology as we employ over 15 lasers & energy based systems to treat acne scars. Book for a FREE consultation with my nurses.
