As we age, the content and quality of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid in the skin decreases. These basic building blocks of the intercellular space are responsible for the skin’s elasticity, and their deficiency results in sagging of the skin on the face and neck, fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, and the appearance of dry and peeling skin.
In recent years, it has become widely recognised that the best way to rebuild elastin in the skin is effective heating of the deep layers of the skin, while controlled thermal damage to the top layers is sufficient for collagen formation. Concentrated energy is most effectively “delivered” to the lower layers of the skin by fractional radiofrequency current. There are several devices with this technology, although few are approved by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) for medical use.
Our radio frequency technologies
At Derma center Rogaška / Maribor, we have been using fractional radiofrequency technologies for many years (Matrix RF since 2010, Fractora and Profound since 2017 and Morpheus8 since 2019). Fractional radiofrequency technology has several advantages over fractional ablative lasers, such as shorter post-procedure recovery time, greater effect on elastin formation and more even smoothing of the skin surface. It does not cause any disturbance to the pigmentation of the skin and there are no visible transitions between the treatment area and the surrounding skin.
How to decide between procedures?
The differences between Matrix RF, Fractora, Morpheus8 and Profound are minimal or significant in terms of delivery method, recovery period and different effects on the skin. We understand that your skin problems that you would like to improve may be multifaceted, so in some cases you may not expect the best effect after using only one technology. We suggest that you see a dermatologist at our centre who will advise you on the most appropriate technology for your problem or a sequence of different procedures that will give you the best effect.
Fractora is a fractional radiofrequency technology used for skin rejuvenation, smoothing of acne or trauma scars and treatment of active nodulocystic acne. Puncturing the skin with isolated needles, creating narrow channels from the surface to the depth in the form of evenly spaced columns and spot heating in the depth create accelerated skin cell renewal and stimulate the healing process. Fractora smooths the skin surface, fine wrinkles, improves tone and reduces the appearance of stretch marks.
Procedure
During the Fractora process, we use a handpiece with a fixed-length insulated needles, where only the tips are active. On activation of the device, the needles pierce the skin and spot heat at a depth of 3 mm. The best effect is achieved with higher energy settings, which requires pre-treatment with local anaesthesia. After the procedure, there are no scabs on the surface, only tiny red spots, which disappear faster than with competitive laser technology. Fractora can be used on the face, around the eyes and mouth, on the neck or body, e.g. on the upper arms, around the knees and on the abdomen.
Recovery after surgery
Immediately after the procedure, you can see the redness and swelling of the skin and the tiny spots that are the entry points of the Fractora. The swelling lasts for a day to a week, the redness fades a little earlier. There is no pain after the procedure, as it is performed under local anaesthesia, which lasts for a few hours. If the procedure is performed on the face, we suggest at least a 5 to 7-day absence from normal daily activities.
Results
The final effect of the Fractora procedure is the formation of new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, while the spot heating of the inflamed sebaceous glands in acne causes them to shrink and the inflammation to subside. The first effects are visible about three weeks after the procedure. Most of the collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid restoration is completed by the sixth month after the procedure and continues for up to a year. Improvement of any indication is seen after each procedure, and the number of procedure recurrences depends on expectations, initial condition, skin type, other circumstances and patient characteristics. Higher energy treatments require fewer repetitions, which can be completed as quickly as after three months, and low energy treatments after three weeks.
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Morpheus8 is currently the most advanced fractional radio frequency technology in existence and is a technological upgrade of Fractora. The radiofrequency current stimulates the production of collagen and elastin in the skin, and the piercing of the skin stimulates skin cell renewal. It can be used at three different depths and, with the additional thermal effect, even up to 5 mm below the skin’s surface. It can be used to smooth acne scars, fine lines on the upper lip, around the mouth, on the forehead, sagging cheeks, chin, fine and medium deep lines on the face, neck, chest, arms and around the knees. It also works on acne scars on the body and smooths stretch marks. Morpheus8 is safe and effective on all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Procedure
The shallowest setting (2 mm) is used on the forehead and around the eyes, 3 mm on the face and 4 mm on the body. Compared to Fractora, Morpheus8 works with a 4 mm deeper setting in the skin, where it reaches and affects the subcutaneous fat layer, which has been shown to be the most effective for restoring skin tone. For example, when sagging skin appears on the cheek, chin or neck, this deep skin heating is most effective in generating new elastin, which improves skin elasticity and eliminates its sagging.
Recovery after surgery
Immediately after the procedure, you can see swelling of the skin and less redness than after Fractora treatment. The swelling can last up to seven days, although most of the time it goes away sooner. There is no pain as the procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, which lasts for a few hours. If the procedure is performed on the face, we suggest a period of at least 5-7 days away from normal daily activities.
Results
In some patients, the effect of Morpheus8 therapy is visible almost immediately after the first treatment (after the swelling has subsided), while in most cases it shows after two weeks and continues to develop for up to three months. Similarly to Matrix RF or Fractora, the number of treatment repetitions depends on several factors such as: the initial skin condition or diagnosis, the individual characteristics and expectations of the patient, the intensity of the energy applied and the number of skin passes with the handpiece. In the case of a procedure with a lower applied energy, it can be repeated after 4 weeks, otherwise after 3 months.
The difference between Fractora and Morpheus8
At first sight, Fractora and Morpheus8 look quite similar. Both use radiofrequency current through disposable insulated needle tips, known as radiofrequency microneedling. The main difference between the two is that Fractora proves to be better at smoothing the skin surface (e.g. acne scars, fine wrinkled skin), while Morpheus8 is better at restoring skin tone and sagging skin, as it also penetrates deeper into the skin (up to 4 mm + an additional mm with thermal effect). Both are comparably effective at tightening pores, smoothing wrinkles and stretch marks, and rejuvenating the skin.
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Appointments and further information
To book an appointment, contact us Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00 on the following telephone number: 064 12 80 15 or send an e-mail: info@derma-rogaska.si