I Tried The SkinFirming Treatment Celebrities Swear By, And My Face Has Never Looked So Smooth

I'm no stranger to neuromodulators and other cosmetic injections, but recently I decided to -- literally -- dig deeper into my tuning routine. After celebrities raved about Morpheus 8, a collagen-boosting treatment that combines micro-needling with radio frequency, I was toying with the idea of trying it myself. While I've heard it's painful (not to mention expensive), I'm curious if it can provide all the powerful reinforcements and benefits that benefit the beauty world. So I put my fears aside and made an appointment.

Below is everything you need to know about the treatment and what happened when I tried it.

What is Morpheus 8?

Think of Morpheus 8 as your ideal maximum intensity microneedling treatment. "Microneedling uses radiofrequency waves that are applied to the skin, creating a series of controlled wounds, or micro-abrasions, that start at the surface of the skin and penetrate the deeper layers of the skin," says board-certified dermatologist Cory L. Hartman . , MD . Founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL . "It is this controlled injury that triggers the body's natural immune response and stimulates collagen production."

This wound-healing collagen injection results in tighter, firmer skin, which is why this treatment is also known as a "non-surgical facial". It can also help reduce the appearance of textural problems such as acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles. As an added bonus, the device can be used anywhere on the body to tighten loose or sagging skin and fade stretch marks.

While there are similar devices on the market (such as Genius RF, Ultherapy, Vivas, and Profund RF), Morpheus 8 is one of the most powerful radio frequency microneedling treatments on the market. It penetrates deeper into the skin than other options (about 8mm, says Dr. Robert Schwartz , a dual-certified oral plastic surgeon ), producing significant results after two to four sessions.

Who is a good candidate for Morpheus 8?

"Morpheus 8 is safe for all skin types and colors," said Dr. Hartman "For patients in their 20s and 30s, we can treat more acne scars and uneven skin texture, and patients over 40 often use Morpheus 8 to tighten skin as they age [especially] lines jaw, face and neck.

He adds that the best patients for Morpheus 8 are those with light to medium skin, so younger patients tend to have better results with the procedure (because their skin has more natural collagen). Morpheus 8 is a good candidate for those looking to improve fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, acne scars and the overall appearance of their skin.

“Patients with severe skin may not see the same benefits as patients with lighter skin; For those patients, we will explore other surgical options,” said Dr. Hartmann. In other words, Morpheus 8 is not an alternative for a facelift if anxiety is a big problem for you.

How much does Morpheus 8 cost and how many sessions do you need?

The cost of treating Morpheus 8 depends on where and where you go for treatment, which part of the body you are treating, or if you are treating several parts of the body at once, for example: b. Face and Body Neck. In general, the average cost per session can range from $750 to $1,700.

Experts recommend two to four treatments over four to six weeks. Dr. Hartman says some patients see immediate results after each treatment, with dramatic improvement three to four weeks after treatment.

These results usually last three to six months, and experts usually recommend follow-up treatments once or twice a year to maintain them.

What happens when I try Morpheus 8?

treatment

To prepare for Morpheus 8's session, Dr. Hartman recommends staying out of the sun and avoiding using active skincare ingredients (especially vitamin C, retinol, and exfoliating acids) for at least a week before your appointment.

Looking for a non-surgical facelift for myself I visited StudioMD in New York. There I met Nancy Ismail, a medical esthetician and clinical instructor, who did three Morpheus 8 treatments (recommended for 4-6 weeks) on my face and under my chin. I started by sitting for an hour each session and applying numbing cream to the areas targeted by the device. Then it's time to participate.

“The station-mounted 24-pin handpiece is automatically treated with radio frequency energy at a depth of 8 mm,” said Dr. Schwarz.

While 8mm may not seem like long for a needle, the added heat can make it difficult to penetrate the skin. Even with the numbing cream, there is still pain and discomfort. And while Ismail increased the intensity of the device in each session to maximize my results, on the third treatment it was so painful that I had to take a break every 30 seconds. Despite the discomfort, the results are worth it.

dr. after treatment Hartman recommends avoiding makeup and following an active-ingredient-free skin care routine for at least two days. She recommends using a gentle cleanser, drying your face, and using a moisturizer and sunscreen.

results

After my first session, there was a slight difference in the firmness and brightness of my skin. After the second session, I noticed that the nasolabial folds and small wrinkles around my face had disappeared. And after the third session, my face, jawline, and under the chin look tighter and firmer. In the weeks following my last treatment, I noticed that my nostrils were less visible and my skin was healthier.

Although expensive, Morpheus 8 is the only treatment I've tried that has long-lasting, very noticeable results, and I recommend it. The device did what it promised: tightened, lifted, and smoothed my skin and made me look like the best version of myself.