RF Microneedling

If you’d like your skin to be firmer, smoother, and younger-looking, consider INTRAcel RF microneedling in West Des Moines at Koch & Carlisle Plastic Surgery & Spa. These innovative, FDA-cleared treatments combine 2 effective skin rejuvenation treatments—microneedling and RF energy—in a single treatment that can give patients from Ankeny, Ames, and surrounding towns radiant skin with little to no downtime.

Improvements

INTRAcel RF microneedling treatments are safe for all skin types on the face—even sensitive areas around the eyes and lips—as well as the neck, décolletage, and body to address a variety of concerns, including:

• Lax thinning skin
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Enlarged pores
• Active acne and acne scars
• Stretch marks

How It Works

Collagen is plentiful in young skin and declines with age and environmental exposure, making the skin thin, wrinkled, and lax. INTRAcel treatments rejuvenate the skin by renewing collagen production. The single-use treatment head has short, fine needles that penetrate the skin at controlled depths. These tiny needles create “micro-injuries” while releasing RF energy into the middle layer of the skin, called the dermis, where collagen is produced. SkinPen® microneedling treatments work in a similar way without the added boost of RF energy. The combination of pinpoint injuries and RF energy cause the skin to repair itself by producing new collagen.

What to Expect

After cleansing the skin, your practitioner applies a topical numbing cream, which is left to take effect for about 45 minutes. Then the skin is cleansed again. The INTRAcel device is adjusted to the right depth for the targeted area. When the microneedling tip is placed on the skin, you may feel a prickling sensation and warmth, but little (if any) discomfort. The treatment head is moved to the adjacent skin until the entire area is treated. The procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete depending on how many areas are treated. For optimal results, we recommend a series of 3 treatments spaced about a month apart.

RF Microneedling Cost

At our West Des Moines practice, the price of RF microneedling starts at $625.

Recovery After RF Microneedling

After your RF microneedling treatment, the skin may look slightly sunburned and feel warm and tight for about an hour. Depending on the depth of treatment, you may have mild redness and swelling for about 2 to 3 days. While no downtime is needed, it’s important to wait 2 to 3 days to give the microchannels time to close before wearing makeup. Your practitioner will recommend skincare products to nourish your skin after treatment.

RF Microneedling Results

Improvements develop gradually as collagen in the skin is replenished. While most patients notice immediate improvement in the way their skin looks and feels, changes continue for about 3 to 6 months as new collagen is produced.