
* Microneedling with radiofrequency is used for treating all types of atrophic (indented) scars.
Microneedling with radiofrequency is an uncomfortable and sometimes painful procedure in which many small, fine needles create numerous pin-sized holes in the upper layers of the skin. These needles then deliver radiofrequency energy (the same electromagnetic energy used by microwaves to warm food) to the deeper layers of the skin. Radiofrequency energy heats the dermis and makes additional micro-injuries to better stimulate collagen, elastin, and blood vessel production. This stimulation then builds the skin underneath the scars and raises them, helping to even out the skin surface.1,2
Microneedling is akin to a physical version of fractional laser treatment, although it is not as effective as fractional laser treatment in improving acne scars.
If you decide to go to microneedling with radiofrequency treatment, first check if your doctor uses FDA-cleared devices.3
Microneedling with radiofrequency also goes by many other names, including:
- Fractional RF Microneedling
- Radiofrequency Microneedling
- RF Needling
- Microneedle Radiofrequency
- Collagen Induction Therapy with Radiofrequency
- Fractional Radiofrequency Skin Resurfacing
- RF Micro-Needling
- Microneedle Fractional Radiofrequency
- Fractional Thermal Microneedling
- Thermally Fractionated Microneedling
Compared to other scar revision procedures, microneedling with radiofrequency has several advantages:
- Relatively inexpensive
- Short recovery period of 2-3 days
- Low risk of hyperpigmentation (darkening of treated skin) after treatment1
On the other hand, it has some disadvantages:
- Sometimes not as effective as other scar revision treatments
- Can be painful
- May take weeks to start seeing results
As with all scar revision treatments, microneedling with radiofrequency is sometimes combined with other scar revision procedures to achieve desired results.
Normally, people with active acne should not undergo acne scar repair of any kind. However, some data shows that microneedling with radiofrequency may clear up acne at the same time that it treats scars.4
Before agreeing to undergo microneedling with radiofrequency, ask multiple medical professionals about their opinions, proposed treatments, expected outcomes, and prices.
Procedure details:

Microneedling with radiofrequency procedure
In microneedling with radiofrequency, a medical professional uses a device that has fine needles 0.5 – 5 mm in length (depending on the depth of the patient’s scarring) to pierce the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) as well as the dermis (the second, deeper layer of the skin). Needles then deliver radiofrequency energy directly to the dermis of the targeted areas.
A doctor or dermatologist typically performs microneedling with radiofrequency. There are various devices for microneedling with radiofrequency, each distinguished by the needles and radiofrequency energy they use.1,5 The radiofrequency energy used in microneedling with radiofrequency is either:
- Monopolar radiofrequency energy: This type of radiofrequency energy penetrates deep into the skin and is used more often for acne scars.
- Bipolar radiofrequency energy: This radiofrequency energy allows more precise targeting of the tissue that should be treated. However, it does not penetrate into deep skin layers and is normally used for more superficial treatments, such as skin tightening and fine wrinkle reduction.6,7

A doctor moves a microneedling with a radiofrequency device over a patient’s skin.
Anesthesia:
At a medical office: microneedling with radiofrequency can be uncomfortable and even painful, so your physician will probably apply a topical anesthetic, such as a cream containing the numbing drug lidocaine, to your skin 30 to 60 minutes before beginning the treatment. Alternatively, he may inject an anesthetic under the skin’s surface.1
Before-and-after:

Acne scars and 3 months after 3 sessions with fractional microneedling with radiofrequency.
References
- Alessa D, Bloom JD. Microneedling Options for Skin Rejuvenation, Including Non-temperature-controlled Fractional Microneedle Radiofrequency Treatments. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 28(1), 1-7 (2020).
- Hendricks AJ, Farhang SZ. Dermatologic facial applications of Morpheus8 fractional radiofrequency microneedling. J Cosmet Dermatol. 21(S1), S11-S19 (2022).
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Microneedling Devices: Getting to the point on benefits, risks and safety. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/microneedling-devices-getting-point-benefits-risks-and-safety. [Accessed 18th Nov., 2023].
- Kim ST, Lee KH, Sim HJ, Suh KS, Jang MS. Treatment of acne vulgaris with fractional radiofrequency microneedling. J Dermatol. 41(7), 586-91 (2014).
- Harth, Y., Elman, M., Ackerman, E., & Frank, I. Depressed acne scars—effective, minimal downtime treatment with a novel smooth motion non-insulated microneedle radiofrequency technology. Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications, (2014).
- Min S, Park SY, Yoon JY, Kwon HH, Suh DH. fractional microneedling with radiofrequency Treatment for Acne-related Post-inflammatory Erythema. Acta Derm Venereol. 96(1), 87-91 (2016).
- Min S, Park SY, Yoon JY, Suh DH. Comparison of fractional microneedling with radiofrequency and bipolar radiofrequency on acne and acne scar and investigation of mechanism: comparative randomized controlled clinical trial. Arch Dermatol Res. 307(10), 897-904 (2015).
- Chandrashekar BS, Sriram R, Mysore R, Bhaskar S, Shetty A. Evaluation of microneedling fractional radiofrequency device for treatment of acne scars. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 7(2), 93-7 (2014).
- Emam AAM, Nada HA, Atwa MA, Tawfik NZ. 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 Cosmet Dermatol. 21(1), 227-36 (2022).
- Huang L, Liu Y, Fang W, Liu L, Sun Q, Lin X, Xu H, Yang Y. 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 Cosmet Dermatol. 22(2), 497-504 (2023).
- Kim ST, Lee KH, Sim HJ, Suh KS, Jang MS. Treatment of acne vulgaris with fractional radiofrequency microneedling. J Dermatol. 41(7), 586-91 (2014).