Will Radiofrequency Microneedling Affect Your Facelift?

After a facelift, you want to do all you can to preserve and maintain those great results. You may already know about the versatile benefits of radiofrequency microneedling and might even have received this treatment before your facelift. But will it be as effective post-facelift? Is it even safe to use after a facelift? Let’s talk about these treatments and how they might interact with each other.

What is Radiofrequency Microneedling?

Traditional microneedling has been a popular cosmetic treatment for decades, and in more recent years, RF microneedling has exploded due to many technological innovations. RF microneedling combines classic microneedling with targeted delivery of radiofrequency energy for dual collagen-building results. While microneedling creates tiny channels in the upper layers of skin, RF goes even deeper for transformative skin results. This means tighter skin, better texture, and reduction of scars and wrinkles. This is a minimally invasive procedure that typically requires little to no downtime, and maintenance sessions can happen about once a year, depending on skin needs.

What is a Facelift?

A facelift, one of the most popular types of cosmetic surgery year after year, incorporates advanced surgical techniques to address signs of aging in the face and neck, including creases, jowls, and volume loss. There are many different types of facelifts, such as mini-facelift and deep plane facelift, making it a fully customizable option for patients of many backgrounds and aesthetic needs. A facelift can take years off the appearance of the face for a much more youthful look, but it will not address concerns like rough texture or uneven tone.

Can RF Microneedling Interfere with Facelift Results?

If you do a quick internet search on this topic, the answers will vary greatly. That’s because the answer to this question is not a simple “yes” or “no,” and it requires some more specific information about each situation. First of all, the timing matters. Should you get RF microneedling a few weeks after your facelift? Definitely not. The skin, deeper tissues, and incisions will still be healing at this point, and the addition of deep stimulation like RF microneedling could cause damage, stall healing already in progress, or cause an infection.

That being said, in most cases, RF microneedling performed six months to a year or more after a facelift should be perfectly safe and effective. RF will not reverse the results of surgery or “melt” your facelift; this is an unfortunate myth.

Now, what RF can do when used too aggressively or too often is potentially reduce small amounts of facial fat, which could affect the results of a facelift (the same way extreme or unhealthy weight loss after a facelift could). But, the key here is that this would only be likely if the RF treatment is given by someone who is unqualified, inexperienced, or with an outdated RF microneedling machine. Working with a certified and skilled medical aesthetic professional can provide facelift patients with outstanding RF microneedling benefits.

How RF Microneedling Can Enhance Facelift Outcomes

Some facelift patients might be under the impression that a facelift will solve all of their age-related skin concerns. And while a facelift can certainly turn back the clock, fade deep creases, and eliminate loose skin, it won’t necessarily fix problems at the surface. With RF microneedling, facelift patients can go a step further and take care of uneven skin texture and hyperpigmentation, as well as improve the skin’s firmness. More targeted fine-tuning, like reducing acne scars or pore size, can also be achieved with RF. While a facelift rejuvenates the past with surgical intervention, RF microneedling prepares for the future by building collagen and elastin.

Who Should Consider RF Microneedling After a Facelift?

Ideal candidates for RF microneedling after a facelift are those who are at least six months out from surgery, but often patients opt to wait for 18 months or more to ensure their facelift results have settled prior to taking additional cosmetic treatment steps. Facelift patients who would like to further address fine lines, smooth the texture of their skin, or those who want to target scarring or sun spots are typically able to see outstanding outcomes with RF microneedling.

While this treatment is considered safe after a certain timeframe and when performed by a professional, it’s important to keep in mind that there are risks with any aesthetic medical treatment, and you should feel free to ask questions and address any concerns with your provider. It’s also very important to be up-front with your provider. If you will be going to a different office for RF than you did for your facelift, let them know about your entire aesthetic treatment history so they can design the best possible treatment plan.

Expert Recommendations and Safe Practice Guidelines

Ultimately, whether adding RF microneedling to your maintenance routine after a facelift is a good choice for you is best determined by a professional who has experience with this type of scenario. A board-certified plastic surgeon, or a certified med spa provider who is led by a plastic surgeon, would be the optimal option in this case. To learn if RF microneedling treatment is right for you and your skin, contact Dr. O’Connor and her team today.