Is Microneedling with RF Worth It? My Experience After 3 Treatments

Updated on December 16, 2025

I want to share with you my experience, and results, from my recent microneedling treatments. But first, let’s talk about gravity for a second.

Gravity is obviously always there, we all know this from grade school. We don’t walk around amazed that we’re still attached to the earth. But at some point in my mid-forties, gravity went from being a distant topic from a grade 6 science class, to something far more personal; like it had decided to focus its full attention… on my face.

Nothing dramatic happened overnight. No sudden collapse. Just a slow, unmistakable realization that things which used to stay put were now very gently, very persistently, heading south.

My issue isn’t wrinkles, exactly. It was laxity. That vague, annoying softness that makes you tilt your head in the mirror and think, “Hmm… I’m sure used to sit higher.” I’m not trying to look 30 again, I just wanted a subtle refresh. A little firmness. A little “she’s aging well” energy.

So, like most women I know, I went down the internet rabbit hole that is “skin firming treatments”. I started researching. And researching. And then researching some more.

The problem is, once you start looking into aesthetic treatments, you quickly realize just how much information is out there, and how little of it feels truly helpful. Every cream is a miracle. Every tool is “clinically proven”. Every procedure promises to be “the one” that changes everything.

I didn’t have any friends to consult who had already tried some of the more popular treatments. No voice of experience, or words of caution. Just marketing claims, before-and-afters, and a lot of conflicting opinions. So I took my time. I read, I second-guessed. And after months of circling the same options, one treatment kept coming back into the conversation; microneedling with radio frequency (RF).

Luckily, I already had an established and trusted dermatologist whom I have been seeing for many years, and who offers this treatment/technology.

Naturally, I booked a series of three treatments, because one treatment of anything in the skincare world is basically a very expensive suggestion. Real results live in the cumulative effect.

Now that I’m on the other side, face healed, wallet lighter, I want to give you the honest version. No marketing fluff. No spa whisper voice.

The TLDR version: it hurts, you’ll want to avoid being seen for a couple days, and the results are… subtle.

Let’s get into it.

First Things First: What Is Microneedling With RF Exactly?

Here’s the non-science, no-PhD explanation.

Microneedling uses a device that creates thousands of tiny, controlled punctures in your skin. The goal is to mildly traumatize your face so it panics and makes more collagen to fix the wound. If you didn’t know, collagen is the protein that gives our skin structure and firmness; sort of like scaffolding for the skin.

Radio frequency (RF) is where things level up. While the needles are doing their thing, they also deliver heat deep into the dermis, which tightens tissue from underneath.

The best analogy I’ve heard?
It’s like aerating your lawn… but with electricity… on your face.

Charming, right?

To clarify, what I had was not the ‘microneedling facial’ that you get at your local spa. These types of facials include a session with a small roller covered in tiny sharp metal spikes, or a pen-type device tipped with a grid of tiny sharp needles. Mine was the more heavy-duty, medical procedure like treatment, using much longer needles and boosting it with RF energy. The machine and attached handpiece that delivered the treatment were considerable in size, more similar looking to a laser.

A Very Important PSA; This Is Not A Groupon Situation

I need to be extremely clear here. Do not bargain hunt for this treatment. It is no joke.

We are talking about needles and heat energy being delivered into your face. This is not the moment for a “deal”. You want:

1. An established and reputable clinic.
2. Medical-grade equipment with a known brand name (eg. Morpheus8, Secret RF, Genius). These devices will offer depth settings and energy levels so treatments can be customized.
3. A medical doctor overseeing protocols, and available to tend to any unexpected issues
4. An experienced/skilled treatment provider, and preferably one who has had the treatment themselves.

Here’s a basic gauge; if someone is offering Microneedling with RF for under $500, you should keep looking. Cheap usually means corners are being cut on safety, training, or equipment. This is your face, pay for expertise.

The Procedure

Expect to be at the clinic for about 2 hours.

Step One: Numbing (Do Not Rush This)

They’ll coat your face in numbing cream and let it sit for at least an hour. This is not the time to be brave. Let it work. Bring a book. Scroll TikTok. Whatever passes the time.

The more numb you are, the better. Side note: it’s a very strange sensation having your entire face numbed. Think of when you last had a freezing at the dentist… like that, but all over your face. It is a slightly unpleasant sensation, however you’ll be thankful for it once the procedure starts.

Step Two: The Sensation

Even when fully numbed, it’s…. not pleasant. In no way would I describe it as a “spa treatment”.

It’s probably best described as sharp stinging. Very tolerable, but very present. Some areas hurt more than others. The worst spots? Around the nostrils and upper lip, and around the eyes; the obvious, most delicate areas. The cheeks were the least painful for me (I’ve got lots of padding!).

And now to address the descriptive word no one prepares you for: crunchy. 😣

In those more bony areas (like on your forehead), when the needles go in, there is a distinct ‘crunch’ sensation. I cannot unfeel it. I cannot unknow it. And now you can’t either.

I didn’t cry (although my eyes might have watered a few times), but I was deeply aware of the passing minutes and was wishing it to be over.

Downtime: The “24-Hour” Myth

Clinics love to say there’s “minimal downtime.”

Respectfully: bullshit.

I left looking like I’d lost a fight with industrial sandpaper. My face was bright red, radiating heat, and slightly swollen.

For me, the redness lasted a good 48 hours. Granted, I have fair and very reactive skin, so results may vary. But even with tougher skin, I would plan to be off the grid for two full days.

Yes, they say you can wear makeup after 24 hours. Will you want to? Absolutely not. Your skin feels raw and sensitive, and putting foundation on it feels wrong.

Do not schedule this treatment before any event where you’d like to look your best. This is a hibernation treatment.

Post-Treatment Tips

A few things that were recommended, and helped:

Change your pillowcase. Your skin has tiny open wounds, and you want to reduce any risk of bacteria getting in there and causing an infection.

Sleep on your back and slightly elevated to help with swelling.

Use gentle, boring skincare only (think CeraVe or Cetaphil). This is not the moment for actives or trying something new.

My clinic recommended SkinCeuticals Advanced RGN-6, and I will say-it felt incredible on post-procedure skin. Truly soothing. It is also expensive. I used every last drop… and will not be repurchasing now that my skin is healed.

The Results: A Lesson in Patience

Here’s the part no one loves.

You do not see instant results. It takes months for your body to generate new collagen.

Around two weeks after my first treatment, I did noticed a nice glow. I even got a completely unsolicited compliment on my skin’s glow (from someone who’s known me for years, but did not know about my recent treatment). My skin did look a little fresher. But the actual firming, the thing I paid for, took about three months to show something.

After my second treatment, my skin also decided to turn into the Sahara. Some dryness. Flaking. Something I didn’t experience with the first or third round. Apparently it is common to experience some skin dryness post treatment.

So… Would I Do It Again?

Honestly? Probably not.

I don’t regret it. My skin looks good. But did I get the gravity-defying, jawline-snatching transformation the marketing promoted? No.

For the price tag and the discomfort, I was hoping for a “WOW.” What I got was more of a “You look really well-rested.”

And that’s… fine. Just not miraculous.

If you have the budget and see this as collagen banking for your future, it’s a reasonable choice. But if you’re expecting facelift results over a lunch break, keep shopping!

As always: results may vary.

Want More, Honest Info (Without the Fluff)?

If you’re trying to make sense of the world of needles, lasers, and tweaks without being sold to, I highly recommend The Tweakments Guide by Alice Hart-Davis.

She’s a UK blogger who tries the treatments herself, explains them plainly (with the guidance of doctors or practitioners), and tells it to you straight. Alice has organized the information in a way that’s easy to find what you are looking for, whether its addressing a particular concern, or looking for recommendations for your skin type. It’s one of the most useful resources I’ve found for figuring out what’s actually worth your time-and money.

You can find her at thetweakmentsguide.com.

If you’re in the research phase and feeling overwhelmed, I hope this gave you a clearer picture of what microneedling with RF is really like. I’m sharing my personal experience so you can make your decision with a bit more confidence and a little less guesswork.

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