Microneedling vs RF Microneedling: Which One Do You Actually Need?

By Sarah Walker, FNP-C · March 2026 · 8 min read

This is one of the most common questions I get at Oak City MedAesthetics. Someone books a consultation, sits down, 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 treatments look pretty similar too. But what's actually happening under your skin during each one? Very different. And that matters when you're deciding where to put your money.

Let me walk you through both so you can figure out which one makes sense for your skin right now.

What Traditional Microneedling Actually Does

Traditional microneedling is exactly what it sounds like. We use a device with very fine, sterile needles that create thousands of tiny punctures in the top layers of your skin. Controlled injuries, basically. Your body responds the way it always does when something needs to heal: it sends collagen and elastin to the area to repair the damage.

That new collagen is the whole point. Over the weeks following your treatment, your skin becomes smoother, firmer, and more even in tone. Fine lines soften. Acne scars start to fill in. Pores look smaller. Your overall texture improves in a way that's hard to achieve with skincare products alone, because products can only penetrate so deep.

Each session takes about 60 to 90 minutes, including numbing time. We apply a topical numbing cream before we start, so the discomfort is minimal. Most clients describe it as a prickly, scratchy sensation. Not painful, just noticeable.

Traditional microneedling is $295 per session at Oak City, and we offer packages for clients who want a series (which is how you'll get the best results).

What RF Microneedling Does Differently

RF microneedling starts the same way. Needles go into the skin. But here's where it diverges: once the needles are in place, the device delivers radiofrequency energy through the tips. That RF energy heats the deeper layers of your skin, specifically the dermis, where your collagen and elastin fibers live.

We use the Candela Matrix Pro for our RF microneedling treatments in North Raleigh. It's a serious piece of equipment. The device lets me control the depth of the needles and the intensity of the RF energy independently, so I can customize the treatment for different areas of your face (thinner skin around the eyes gets different settings than the cheeks or jawline).

That controlled heat does something traditional microneedling can't. It causes the existing collagen fibers to contract and tighten immediately, and it triggers a much more aggressive collagen remodeling response over the following months. The result is noticeably tighter, firmer skin on top of all the texture and tone improvements you'd get from regular microneedling.

RF microneedling sessions are also 60 to 90 minutes and cost $675 per session, with packages available.

The Real Differences, Side by Side

Here's where I get specific, because the details matter when you're choosing between these two.

• Depth of treatment. Traditional microneedling works primarily in the epidermis and upper dermis. RF microneedling penetrates deeper into the dermis, where the structural proteins that keep your skin firm actually live.
• Collagen response. Both treatments stimulate collagen production. RF microneedling stimulates significantly more, and the heat causes existing collagen to remodel and tighten in a way that needles alone don't achieve.
• Skin tightening. This is where RF microneedling really pulls ahead. If laxity is a concern (jawline softening, crepey skin on the neck, loose skin around the eyes), RF microneedling addresses that directly. Traditional microneedling improves texture but won't give you meaningful tightening.
• Scarring. For mild acne scars and superficial texture issues, traditional microneedling works well. For deeper, more stubborn scarring (ice pick scars, rolling scars, surgical scars), RF microneedling is the better choice because it can remodel tissue at a deeper level.
• Investment. Traditional microneedling is $295 per session. RF microneedling is $675 per session. Both offer package pricing. The price difference reflects the technology involved and the depth of results.
• Downtime. Similar for both. Expect 1 to 3 days of redness with traditional microneedling, and 2 to 4 days with RF. Most people are back to normal activities the next day either way.

Which One Is Right for You?

I'll be honest: there's no single right answer here. It depends on what your skin needs and what you're trying to accomplish.

Traditional microneedling is a great fit if:

• Your main concerns are fine lines, dullness, uneven texture, or mild acne scarring
• You want to improve your skin's overall quality and glow
• You're in your 20s or 30s and focused on prevention and maintenance
• You're looking for an effective treatment at a lower price point
• You've never done microneedling before and want to start with the basics

RF microneedling is the better choice if:

• You're noticing skin laxity, especially along the jawline or neck
• You have deeper wrinkles or more significant acne scarring
• Skin tightening is a priority, not just texture improvement
• You're in your late 30s, 40s, or beyond and dealing with visible collagen loss
• You want the most dramatic results per session and are willing to invest accordingly

That said, age isn't the only factor. I've had clients in their late 20s choose RF microneedling for stubborn acne scars, and clients in their 50s who are perfectly happy with the results from traditional microneedling. It comes down to your specific concerns.

Can You Do Both?

Yes, and a lot of my clients in Raleigh do exactly that.

One approach that works really well: start with a series of 3 RF microneedling sessions to get the deeper tightening and collagen remodeling going. Then maintain with traditional microneedling sessions every few months to keep your skin glowing and your texture smooth. You get the best of both treatments without doing RF every single time.

Another option is alternating. One RF session, then a traditional session a few months later, back and forth. We'll figure out what makes sense during your consultation based on your skin, your goals, and what fits your budget.

What to Expect from Each Treatment

Before your appointment

For both treatments, you'll want to avoid retinol and active exfoliants for about 3 to 5 days beforehand. No sunburns (please). If you're on any prescription skin medications, let us know ahead of time so we can advise you.

During the treatment

We start with a thorough cleanse, then apply topical numbing cream for about 20 to 30 minutes. Once you're numb, the actual needling portion takes around 20 to 30 minutes depending on the area. With RF microneedling, you'll feel warmth in addition to the prickly sensation. Most clients say it's very manageable.

After the treatment

You'll leave looking like you have a sunburn. Pink to red skin, maybe some mild swelling. This is completely normal. With traditional microneedling, most of the redness fades within 24 to 48 hours. RF microneedling redness can hang around a bit longer, up to 3 or 4 days for some people.

We'll send you home with specific aftercare instructions. The basics: gentle cleanser only, no active ingredients for a few days, SPF religiously, and skip the gym for 24 hours. Your skin is essentially an open wound for the first day, so treat it gently.

The real results show up over weeks. Collagen takes time to build. Most clients notice a visible difference about 2 to 4 weeks after their session, with continued improvement over the next 2 to 3 months. That's why a series works so well. Each treatment builds on the one before it.

The Pricing Breakdown

I know price is a factor for most people, so let me be straightforward about it.

• Traditional Microneedling: $295 per session (packages available)
• RF Microneedling (Candela Matrix Pro): $675 per session (packages available)

A typical series is 3 sessions for either treatment. So you're looking at roughly $885 for a microneedling series versus roughly $2,025 for RF microneedling. The RF series is a bigger investment, but if tightening and deeper remodeling are your priorities, you'll see results with RF that traditional microneedling simply can't match.

If budget is a concern, starting with traditional microneedling is a perfectly smart move. You'll see real improvement in your skin. And you can always add RF microneedling later when it makes sense for you. We serve clients across North Raleigh, Wake Forest, and the Triangle, and we're always happy to help you find a plan that works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between microneedling and RF microneedling?

Traditional microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries with fine needles to trigger collagen production in the upper layers of skin. RF microneedling adds radiofrequency energy delivered through the needle tips, heating the deeper dermis for more significant collagen remodeling and skin tightening. Both improve texture and tone, but RF goes deeper and produces more dramatic tightening results.

Is RF microneedling worth the extra cost?

It depends on what you're trying to fix. For fine lines, mild scarring, and overall glow, traditional microneedling at $295 gets you great results. If laxity, deeper wrinkles, or significant scarring are your main concerns, RF microneedling at $675 per session is worth the investment because it reaches tissue layers that needles alone can't affect.

Can you do both microneedling and RF microneedling?

Absolutely. Many clients start with a series of RF sessions for the deeper tightening work, then maintain with traditional microneedling in between. Others alternate based on their goals and budget. We'll build a plan around what your skin actually needs.

How many sessions do I need?

Most people get the best results from 3 to 4 sessions spaced about 4 to 6 weeks apart. You'll see improvement after one treatment, but collagen remodeling builds over time. After your initial series, maintenance sessions every 3 to 6 months help keep your results going strong.

How long is the downtime?

Traditional microneedling: 1 to 3 days of redness and mild swelling. RF microneedling: 2 to 4 days, since the treatment goes deeper. Most clients feel fine going back to work the next day with either option, and you can apply makeup after 24 hours.