Radiofrequency: what it is and what it’s used for

Radiofrequency is an innovative technology that has increasingly gained popularity and use in the field of cosmetic and medical treatments.

In this article, we will explore all aspects of this technology and also present the treatments available at Living Clinic that use radiofrequency to guarantee the best possible cosmetic results.

What are radiofrequency treatments and how do they work?

Radiofrequency uses electromagnetic waves to generate heat in the tissues of the body or face.

These waves penetrate the skin and reach the deeper layers, where collagen and elastin are produced. By heating these layers in a controlled way, radiofrequency stimulates the cells responsible for producing these proteins.

Collagen and elastin are essential proteins for skin health and firmness. However, the production of these proteins decreases with age, reason why so many people resort to radiofrequency cosmetic treatments.

By stimulating the production of these proteins, radiofrequency promotes skin regeneration and improves its appearance.

Furthermore, the controlled heating process stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation, improving cellular metabolism and tissue oxygenation.

What is radiofrequency used for?

Radiofrequency has a wide variety of applications in the area of cosmetics, including:

Facial Radiofrequency

Radiofrequency applied on the face brings great benefits in terms of facial skin rejuvenation. This includes treating wrinkles and expression lines, smoothing out these grooves and improving skin texture. Furthermore, it can be used to treat sagging facial skin and jowls.

Morpheus 8 is a treatment that combines fractional radiofrequency with microneedling (commonly called microneedling radiofrequency). This is one of the most effective treatments for reducing wrinkles, scars and sagging skin effectively.

Forma radiofrequency is a technology that also uses radiofrequency to improve skin texture, signs of aging and sagging on the face. It is a non-invasive, painless, very safe treatment and applicable to all skin types.

Through techniques such as Facetite and/or Accutite from Inmode, it is also possible to perform a non-surgical facelift using radiofrequency. These procedures promote the contraction of collagen fibers, resulting in a lifting effect on the skin, without the need for surgery.

Radiofrequency can also be used to treat acne scars, surgery scars or injuries. It stimulates collagen production in the deep layers of the skin, helping to soften the appearance of scars and promoting tissue regeneration.

Body Radiofrequency

Here you can discover the different body treatments that use radiofrequency to treat common aesthetic issues, such as sagging, cellulite and localized fat.

Radiofrequency for sagging skin

Plus radiofrequency (commonly called body radiofrequency) is a body treatment that uses radiofrequency for body remodelling, including skin rejuvenation and treatment of sagging. Radiofrequency on the body is a non-invasive treatment for those looking for simple ways to shape their body and reduce measurements.

Radiofrequency for localized fat

EMSculpt NEO is a treatment that combines radiofrequency with electromagnetic fields to promote fat burning and muscle building. It is an innovative option for those looking to define the abdomen, glutes, thighs and arms. This treatment performs 20,000 contractions in a 30-minute session and provides, on average, a 30% reduction in localized fat and a 25% increase in muscle mass.

Radiofrequency for cellulite

EMTone is a non-invasive treatment for cellulite that combines monopolar radiofrequency with shock waves that, at the same time, enhance the reduction of folds in the skin and stimulate collagen production.

This treatment also promotes increased blood flow and improves skin elasticity, yielding a natural and rejuvenated appearance.

Vaginal Radiofrequency

Votiva vaginal radiofrequency is widely used to counteract vaginal laxity.

Vaginal radiofrequency to address vaginal sagging is often called “radiofrequency with a gyneco end tip” because it features a V-shaped tip, specially designed for vaginal treatments.

This treatment is often aimed at women who have given natural birth and who present, to a greater or lesser extent, a stretching of the vaginal tissue.

If this is the case, in the long term, the woman may suffer physical and psychological consequences, including loss of sensation and sexual dissatisfaction.

With a radiofrequency treatment, the waves stimulate the contraction of collagen fibers, promote wound healing and thus provide the missing firmness.

This is a non-invasive, quick and painless treatment. Furthermore, it is a very safe treatment, approved by the FDA.

Types of radiofrequency

There are different types of radiofrequencies available, each with its specific characteristics and applications.

Monopolar radiofrequency

Monopolar radiofrequency is one of the oldest types of radiofrequency and also one of the deepest. In this type of treatment, an active electrode is applied to the area to be treated, while a neutral electrode is positioned on another part of the body to complete the electrical circuit. Radiofrequency energy flows through the body between these two electrodes, reaching the deepest layers of the skin.

Monopolar radiofrequency is known to penetrate deeper into tissues, reaching thicker dermal layers. This allows you to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the deeper layers of the skin, resulting in a significant improvement in the firmness and texture of the skin.

Monopolar radiofrequency is typically used to treat larger body areas, such as the belly, thighs, or buttocks.

For example, the EMTone treatment uses monopolar radiofrequency with shock waves to reduce cellulite.

Bipolar radiofrequency

Bipolar radiofrequency uses two active electrodes placed close to each other in the area to be treated. Unlike monopolar radiofrequency, a separate neutral electrode is not required, as the two active electrodes complete the electrical circuit with each other. This proximity of the electrodes concentrates the radiofrequency energy in a more superficial area of the skin.

Bipolar radiofrequency is often used in facial treatments, where the objective is to treat wrinkles, expression lines and sagging skin in more superficial areas. This technique is especially effective in delicate areas, such as around the eyes, where more precise and careful application is required.

For example, Morpheus 8, Forma radiofrequency and vaginal radiofrequency employ Bipolar radiofrequency.

Tripolar radiofrequency

In tripolar radiofrequency, three active electrodes are used: a central electrode surrounded by two peripheral electrodes. This configuration allows radiofrequency energy to be concentrated on an even smaller area of the skin, providing more efficient and controlled heating.

Tripolar radiofrequency is ideal for treating smaller, delicate areas of the face, such as wrinkles around the lips and nose.

Radiofrequency: how many times per week?

The frequency of radiofrequency treatments may vary depending on the type of treatment, each person’s individual needs and the recommendations of the physician or therapist.

Generally, radiofrequency treatments are performed in sessions spaced over a set period of time to allow adequate skin recovery between sessions.

Cellular renewal occurs with a monthly spacing of approximately 21 to 28 days. For this reason, radiofrequency treatment must be performed (to maintain results) approximately once a month. Depending on the treatment objective, the patient’s characteristics and their age, this timing can be adjusted.

Radiofrequency and cavitation

Radiofrequency and cavitation are two distinct technologies that can be used in cosmetic treatments to improve the appearance of the body, but they have very different principles of action.

Radiofrequency uses electromagnetic energy to heat the deep layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and promoting the contraction of existing fibers. When applied at temperatures of 43 degrees, it eliminates fat. The internal heating of the tissues generates the adipocyte lipolysis mechanism.

On the other hand, cavitation is a procedure that uses low-frequency ultrasound waves to create vacuum microbubbles inside fat cells. These microbubbles expand and collapse, creating a destructive effect on fat cells. This process leads to the rupture of adipocytes (fat cells), releasing the fat that is subsequently eliminated by the body.

Although radiofrequency and cavitation can be used to treat similar aesthetic problems, they have different mechanisms of action.

However, to reduce localized fat through the destruction of fat cells, Living Clinic offers a treatment that is considerably safer and more effective than Cavitation, called Coolsculpting.

Coolsculpting, an FDA-approved treatment, is especially indicated for treating areas with localized fat accumulation, such as the abdomen, thighs, flanks and arms. Typically, only 1 session is required for the desired fat reduction.

Price for a radiofrequency treatment

The price of a radiofrequency treatment may vary depending on several factors, including the area of the body to be treated, the number of sessions required, the equipment/technology used, etc.

On average, the cost of a non-invasive radiofrequency session on the face can vary between €50 and €60, depending on the treatment selected.

If it is a Morpheus8, the price per session is €400. For Facetite or Accutite, you will need to consult your physician.

Each non-invasive body radiofrequency session can vary between €60 and €75. For a Morpheus8 the average price is around €500.

For vaginal radiofrequency, prices can vary between €200 and €300.

Where to go for a radiofrequency treatment?

Living Clinic (on Avenida da Boavista, in Porto) is the ideal choice for those who want to carry out body or facial radiofrequency treatments in a safe and effective way.

We are a cosmetic medicine clinic in Porto that is part of the Eurico de Almeida Saúde group, a family-based group with over 50 years of existence.

We have the best professionals, highly qualified and specialized, who undergo constant training to be able to comply with procedures in the safest and most effective way and always be at the forefront of innovations in this sector.

Our team of professionals is made up of experienced physicians and specialists focused in cosmetic treatments, who follow strict ethics to guarantee the safety and satisfaction of our patients.

At Living Clinic, non-invasive treatments for reducing wrinkles, sagging, localized fat and cellulite are carried out with some of the best equipment in the world, which already has millions of successful applications around the world.

Furthermore, we offer personalized support throughout the treatment, to ensure that those who visit us truly achieve their goals. We will always be available to answer any questions and provide additional guidance to ensure the best possible result.