Microneedling with Radiofrequency

Compare To Other Treatments

What Is It?

Microneedling with radiofrequency devices have small needles that puncture the skin. The microneedles then deliver radiofrequency energy, a type of electromagnetic radiation, to the deep layers of the skin, heating the skin. Both the needles and the electromagnetic radiation help stimulate collagen and elastin production. 

Microneedling with radiofrequency treatment shows better efficacy than standard microneedling.

This procedure is normally repeated 3-5 times in 1-month intervals, and you should see gradual results with each session. And after your last session, your skin should continue to improve.

Results

Results
Strength of Evidence: Moderate
40% of patients achieved a good (>50%) or excellent (>75%) improvement in scarring after 4 sessions
Expand for result statistics
Good or Excellent Response
40% of patients achieved a good (>50%) or excellent (>75%) improvement in scarring after 4 sessions
Moderate Response
88% of patients achieved at least a moderate (>25%) improvement in scarring after 4 sessions
▸ Based on These Clinical Studies & Trials
▾ Based on These Clinical Studies & Trials
  1. Rattananukrom, T., Tejapira, K., Pomsoong, C., Ratanapokasatit, Y. & Vachiramon, V. Efficacy of microneedle fractional radiofrequency combined with topical insulin for the treatment of facial atrophic acne scars: A split‐face, double‐blinded, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial. J of Cosmetic Dermatology 24, e70033 (2025).
  2. Qu, L., Sha, S., He, C., Chen, H.-D. & Wu, Y. Comparison of non-insulated microneedle fractional radiofrequency and ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser for the treatment of facial atrophic acne scarring: A pilot randomized split-face clinical study. Acta Derm Venereol 105, adv43611 (2025).
  3. Darji, K. et al. Evaluating the picosecond 755-nm alexandrite laser with diffractive lens array and radiofrequency microneedling for the treatment of atrophic acne scarring. Dermatol Surg 51, S69–S76 (2025).
  4. Al Mallah, M. N., Abdulqader, M. N., Al Chalabi, Q. S. & Fathi, H. B. Atrophic acne scars treated with microneedling radiofrequency followed by fractional CO2 laser compared with each monotherapy: An open-label randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Dermatology and Venereology 8, 134–139 (2025).
  5. Sriram, R., Chandrashekar, B. S., C, M. & Gowda H, H. Comparative study in treatment of acne scars fractional carbon dioxide laser versus micro needling fractional radio frequency – A retrospective study. JCAS 17, 214–218 (2024).
  6. Navyadevi, U. et al. Efficacy and safety of microneedling radiofrequency in acne scars. JCAS 17, 315–319 (2024).
  7. Lyu, J., Jiang, L., Tang, M., Zheng, L. & Liu, S. Microneedle fractional radiofrequency associated with drug delivery for facial atrophic acne scars and skin rejuvenation. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy 26, 61–68 (2024).
  8. Goyal, S., Gahalaut, P., Singh, A., Chhawchharia, S. & Rastogi, M. K. Comparison of 1550 nm erbium laser and micro-needling radiofrequency for the treatment of atrophic facial acne scars: A prospective, open labeled, hospital-based study. SRMS JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 9, 87–90 (2024).
  9. Ding, Z. et al. Efficacy and safety of fractional microneedle radiofrequency for atrophic acne scars: A real‐world clinical study of 126 patients. Lasers Surg Med 56, 150–164 (2024).
  10. Bai, L. et al. Effectiveness of microneedle fractional radiofrequency combined with transcutaneous delivery of botulinum toxin in the management of post‐acne scars. Photoderm Photoimm Photomed 40, e12994 (2024).
  11. Huang, L. et al. Efficiency and safety of microneedling fractional radiofrequency in the treatment of Chinese atrophic acne scars: A retrospective study of 3 consecutive treatments with 1‐month intervals. J of Cosmetic Dermatology 22, 497–504 (2023).
  12. Malah, M. N. A., Badrani (, H. B. A. & Chalabi, Q. S. A. Effectiveness of microneedle radiofrequency in the treatment of acne scar. Does the scar age is a determinant? The Medical Journal of Tikrit University 28, (2022).
  13. Emam, A. A. M., Nada, H. A., Atwa, M. A. & Tawfik, N. Z. Split‐face comparative study of fractional Er:YAG laser versus microneedling radiofrequency in treatment of atrophic acne scars, using optical coherence tomography for assessment. J of Cosmetic Dermatology 21, 227–236 (2022).
  14. Pall, A. & Pall, S. An innovative approach of treating acne scars using bipolar rotational stamping and monopolar criss-cross technique with insulated microneedling radiofrequency in Asians. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery 14, 191 (2021).
  15. Lan, T. et al. Comparison of fractional micro-plasma radiofrequency and fractional microneedle radiofrequency for the treatment of atrophic acne scars: a pilot randomized split-face clinical study in China. Lasers Surg Med 53, 906–913 (2021).
  16. An, M. K., Hong, E. H., Suh, S. B., Park, E. J. & Kim, K. H. Combination therapy of microneedle fractional radiofrequency and topical poly-lactic acid for acne scars: a randomized controlled split-face study. Dermatol Surg 46, 796–802 (2020).
  17. Al-Sultany, H. A. A comparative study of the efficacy of fractional co 2 laser versus micro needling fractional radiofrequency in the management of atrophic acne scars among Iraqi patients. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health Volume 23 Issue 18, 231–816 (2020).
  18. Chowdhary, P., Kaur, M., Jagati, A. & Tiwari, H. A comparative study of combined microneedling fractional radiofrequency and platelet-rich plasma versus microneedling fractional radiofrequency alone in atrophic acne scars and effect of treatment on quality of life. Hong Kong J Dermatol Venereol 27, 171–177 (2019).
  19. Zhang, L., Lin, L., Zeng, J., Liu, W. & Luo, Q. Evaluation of efficacy of microneedling radiofrequency for the treatment of facial acne scars. Chinese Journal of Dermatology 51, 672–675 (2018).
  20. Elawar, A. & Dahan, S. Non-insulated fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment with smooth motor insertion for reduction of depressed acne scars, pore size, and skin texture improvement. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 11, 41–44 (2018).
  21. Baskan, E. B. & Belli, A. A. Evaluation of the efficacy of microneedle fractional radiofrequency in Turkish patients with atrophic facial acne scars. J Cosmet Dermatol https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12812 (2018) doi:10.1111/jocd.12812.
  22. Pudukadan, D. Treatment of acne scars on darker skin types using a noninsulated smooth motion, electronically controlled radiofrequency microneedles treatment system. Dermatol Surg 43 Suppl 1, S64–S69 (2017).
  23. Faghihi, G. et al. Efficacy of fractionated microneedle radiofrequency with and without adding subcision for the treatment of atrophic facial acne scars: a randomized split-face clinical study. J Cosmet Dermatol 16, 223–229 (2017).
  24. Min, S., Park, S. Y., Yoon, J. Y. & Suh, D. H. Comparison of fractional microneedling radiofrequency and bipolar radiofrequency on acne and acne scar and investigation of mechanism: comparative randomized controlled clinical trial. Arch Dermatol Res 307, 897–904 (2015).
  25. Chae, W. S. et al. Comparative study on efficacy and safety of 1550 nm Er:Glass fractional laser and fractional radiofrequency microneedle device for facial atrophic acne scar. J Cosmet Dermatol 14, 100–106 (2015).
  26. Vejjabhinanta, V., Wanitphakdeedecha, R., Limtanyakul, P. & Manuskiatti, W. The efficacy in treatment of facial atrophic acne scars in Asians with a fractional radiofrequency microneedle system. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 28, 1219–1225 (2014).
  27. Chandrashekar, B. S., Sriram, R., Mysore, R., Bhaskar, S. & Shetty, A. Evaluation of microneedling fractional radiofrequency device for treatment of acne scars. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 7, 93–97 (2014).

Side Effects

Side Effects
Medium-high side effects and adverse reactions

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