This is one of the most common questions I get at Oak City MedAesthetics. Someone sits down for a consultation and says, "I know I want microneedling, but I keep seeing RF microneedling everywhere. What's the difference? Do I need the more expensive one?"
Fair question. The names are almost identical, and from the outside the two treatments look a lot alike. What happens under your skin is different, though, and that matters when you're deciding where to put your money.
The short version. Traditional microneedling is aimed at texture, fine lines, and the look of mild acne scarring. RF microneedling on the Candela Matrix Pro adds heat below the surface, so it's what we usually suggest when firmer-looking skin or deeper scarring is the goal. Expect a few days of redness with either one.
What Traditional Microneedling Does
Traditional microneedling uses very fine, sterile needles to make thousands of tiny channels in the top layers of your skin. Controlled injuries, basically. The idea is to prompt your skin's own renewal process.
Over the following weeks, many people find their skin looks smoother and more even. It's a popular choice for texture, fine lines, and the look of shallow acne scars.
Amy does most of our traditional microneedling. Sessions run 60 to 90 minutes, including time for numbing cream, and most people describe the feeling as prickly and scratchy rather than painful. Packages are available for a series.
What RF Microneedling Adds
RF microneedling starts the same way. Needles go into the skin. Then the device sends radiofrequency energy out through the needle tips, which heats the deeper layer of skin (the dermis) where collagen and elastin live.
On top of the texture and tone goals of microneedling, RF is aimed at skin that looks firmer, especially along the jawline, lower face, and neck.
I do our RF microneedling on the Candela Matrix Pro, which can perform both traditional and RF microneedling. It lets me set the needle depth and energy separately for each area, so thinner skin under the eyes gets different settings than your cheeks or jawline. RF sessions also take 60 to 90 minutes, and packages are available.
Side by Side
| Traditional microneedling | RF microneedling | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Needles only | Needles plus radiofrequency heat |
| Depth | Upper layers of skin | Deeper into the dermis |
| Best for | Texture, fine lines, mild acne scars, dullness | Laxity, deeper acne scars, larger pores, firmer-looking skin |
| Typical series | 3 to 4 sessions | 3 to 4 sessions |
| Redness | 1 to 3 days | 2 to 4 days |
| Who does it here | Usually Amy | Sarah |
Recovery, Day by Day
People ask about downtime more than anything else, so here's what the first week usually looks like. Everyone heals a little differently.
- Treatment day. Your skin will look pink to red, a lot like a sunburn, and may feel warm and tight. After RF, some people also have mild swelling or faint pinpoint marks.
- Days 1 and 2. Redness from traditional microneedling is usually fading by now. After RF it tends to hang on a bit longer. You can typically wear makeup after 24 hours.
- Days 3 and 4. Skin often feels dry, and you may see light flaking. Keep using a gentle cleanser, a plain moisturizer, and sunscreen.
- Days 5 to 7. Most people look like themselves again. If you have a deeper skin tone, you may notice temporary darkening instead of redness. That usually fades within about a week.
- Weeks 2 to 12. This is when results show up. Collagen builds slowly, so the change tends to be gradual over two to three months, which is why a series works better than a single session.
For the first few days: no retinol or exfoliating acids, no workouts for 24 hours, and daily sunscreen. We'll send you home with written aftercare.
Before You Book
Microneedling isn't right for everyone, or not right now. At your consultation we'll look at your skin and go over your health history, medications, and any history of dark spots or scarring. If waiting or a different treatment makes more sense, we'll tell you.
Where PRF and Hydraneedle Fit In
Microneedling pairs well with things applied during treatment, since those tiny channels give them a way in. We offer PRF microneedling, which uses platelet-rich fibrin from a small sample of your own blood, plus two Hydraneedle options: Silver, with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, and Platinum, with a custom add-in. You'll find the details and current pricing on our microneedling in Raleigh page.
Does the RF Device Brand Matter?
You'll see a lot of names when you research RF microneedling: Morpheus8, Vivace, Profound, Potenza, and the Candela Matrix Pro we use. They share the same basic idea of needles delivering radiofrequency energy under the skin. They differ in needle design, depth range, and how the energy is delivered.
In my experience, the provider's training, the settings chosen for your skin, and the treatment plan matter more than the logo on the machine. Ask whoever treats you how they'll adjust depth and energy for different parts of your face. If they can't answer that clearly, keep looking.
Which One Is Right for You?
Traditional microneedling tends to fit if:
- Your main concerns are fine lines, dullness, uneven texture, or mild acne scarring
- You're mostly focused on prevention and maintenance
- You'd like a lower price per session
- You've never had microneedling and want to see how your skin responds
RF microneedling tends to fit if:
- You're noticing laxity along the jawline, lower face, or neck
- You have deeper or more stubborn acne scarring
- Firmer-looking skin is a priority, not only smoother texture
- You'd rather invest more per session to address deeper concerns
Age isn't the deciding factor. I've had clients in their late 20s choose RF for stubborn acne scars, and clients in their 50s who are very happy with traditional microneedling. It comes down to what's bothering you.
Can You Do Both?
Yes, and plenty of our clients in Raleigh do. One common plan is a series of three RF sessions for the deeper work, then traditional microneedling every few months to maintain texture and glow. Others alternate. We'll sort out the order during your consultation based on your skin, your goals, and your budget.
Not sure which one your skin needs? Come see us at our Falls of Neuse Road office in North Raleigh. Consultations are free and low-pressure. We'll look at your skin, talk about what's bugging you, and put together a plan.
Pricing
RF microneedling costs more per session than traditional microneedling, and both are usually done as a series, with package pricing available. If budget is the main concern, starting with traditional microneedling is a smart move, and you can add RF later. Current prices are on our microneedling and RF microneedling in Raleigh pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between microneedling and RF microneedling?
Traditional microneedling uses fine needles to make tiny channels in the upper layers of skin. RF microneedling adds radiofrequency heat through the needle tips to reach deeper. Both are used for texture and tone, and RF is aimed at deeper scarring and firmer-looking skin.
Is RF microneedling worth the extra cost?
It depends on what you want to change. For fine lines, mild scarring, and overall glow, traditional microneedling is often enough. For laxity, deeper wrinkles, or more significant scarring, RF is usually the better fit. We'll help you decide at a free consultation.
Does RF microneedling hurt more than regular microneedling?
It's more intense. We apply numbing cream for 20 to 30 minutes first, and most people describe RF as warmth and pressure on top of the prickly feeling of microneedling. Your provider can adjust settings as you go.
How many sessions do I need?
Most people do best with 3 to 4 sessions spaced about 4 to 6 weeks apart. You may notice a change after one, but collagen builds gradually. After a series, maintenance every 3 to 6 months helps keep results going.
How long is the downtime?
Plan on 1 to 3 days of redness and mild swelling with traditional microneedling and 2 to 4 days with RF. Most people go back to work the next day, and makeup is usually fine after 24 hours.
Who performs microneedling at Oak City?
Amy does most of our traditional microneedling, and Sarah Walker, FNP-C, performs RF microneedling at our Falls of Neuse Road office in North Raleigh.
Can you do both microneedling and RF microneedling?
Yes. Many clients do a series of RF sessions for the deeper work, then maintain with traditional microneedling. Others alternate. We'll plan the order around your skin and budget.