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Morpheus8: The Beautiful Benefits of Marrying Microneedling with Radiofrequency

Morpheus8 is more than just a microneedling device. It’s our latest and greatest full-body, non-surgical, anti-aging tool that packs a serious skin-tightening punch thanks to the addition of radiofrequency.

No, Morpheus8 is not some newly revamped character from The Matrix movie franchise – although, when first hearing about the effectiveness and minimal downtime associated with this cutting-edge, high-tech device, it might naturally seem like something straight out of science fiction. But we assure you, this advanced microneedling treatment – the first and only full-body subdermal adipose remodeling device (read: it targets the deflation of soft tissue, like an aging jowl) – is, in fact, very real with very real benefits. Intrigued? Tracy Thaden, clinical aesthetician and medical assistant at AW Plastic Surgery, gives us the lowdown on why it’s the latest and greatest tool to add to your anti-aging arsenal.

How Morpheus8 Works

You’ve likely heard of microneedling, a dermaroller procedure that uses small needles to prick the skin, in order to generate new collagen and tissue for smoother, firmer, more toned skin. “Yes, Morpheus8 is yet another microneedling tool,” explains Thaden. “But rather than simply prick the skin, this device also incorporates radiofrequency, which triggers that collagen and elastin production at a deeper level that microneedling alone can’t reach.”

As for the procedure, after using a topical numbing cream on the patient’s treatment area, the handheld device is pressed into the area, allowing the minuscule microneedles to perforate the skin. Once the pins are in place, they emit radiofrequency (RF) waves. “The heat from these waves penetrates deep into the dermal skin layer, creating a ‘shrink wrap’-like effect, tightening the skin and fat below,” says Thaden “This is what causes the remodeling and restructure, and the improvement in the appearance of what was formerly saggy to thick and healthy skin.” The whole procedure in it’s entirety – numbing and prep included – doesn’t take much more than two hours.

Why It’s More Effective Than Other Microneedling Devices

 

The secret lies in how the RF and microneedling combine. “Microneedling creates the channels to allow the RF to penetrate the skin’s deepest layers. And when RF can reach those deeper layers, it’s what truly contours and transforms the skin,” says Thaden. “So it’s not just addressing superficial tissue as microneedling devices do, but the deeper, adipose fat that is known for creating loose, crepey skin.”

Ideal Areas That Morpheus8 Treats & Targets

Morpheus8’s most popular target area might just be jowls, jawline, and submental area of the neck (the space below the chin). “But we also use it to tighten loose skin on the inner and outer thighs, above the knees, and abdomen,” says Thaden. It can also be used to reduce the appearance of acne and acne scars, stretch marks, enlarged pores, and wrinkles.

The Perfect Patient for Morpheus8

“While it truly is one of the most amazing non-invasive skin-tightening treatments, it’s not going to give you instant facelift results if you already have very saggy jowls,” says Thaden. Rather, in patients like that, it’s best to opt for a facelift or a non-invasive facelift alternative like FaceTight, (or body lift or BodyTite if your skin is loose in other areas), but then use Morpheus8 as a way to maintain that lift and keep things high and tight post-op.

The other ideal candidate is someone who is just starting to see the signs of aging and is looking to prevent jowling or the development of saggy skin. “It’s a great way to combat the breakdown of skin elasticity as you age,” says Thaden.

When You’ll See Morpheus8 Results

While Thaden says you will see results as quickly as your first Morpheus8 treatment, she recommends having at least three sessions spaced roughly four to six weeks apart to see full results (in fact, AW sells these treatments in packages of three). As for downtime after each session, expect to see some mild swelling and redness that looks and feels like a sunburn for three to four days following treatment, plus some possible flaking as the tiny punctures from the microneedle heal. “Again, since that energy from the RF is being delivered so deep,” says Thaden, “there is less damage to the surface of the skin, making downtime minimal.”