Journal

Short answer: RF microneedling suits most skin tones and brings shorter downtime, while ablative laser resurfacing can make bigger changes in fewer sessions but needs more recovery and is not right for every skin type. For many of our clients with texture, acne scarring or early laxity, a series of RF microneedling is the gentler first step.

How each one works

RF microneedling places tiny needles into the skin and releases radiofrequency heat below the surface, prompting new collagen while the top layer stays largely intact. Laser resurfacing removes or heats thin columns of skin from the surface down, which is more dramatic and slower to heal.

Questions we ask before recommending either

• What is your skin tone and how does it respond to heat or injury?
• How much downtime can you realistically take?
• Is the main concern texture, pigment, laxity or scarring?
• Are you planning significant sun exposure in the next few months?

Step by step

1. Consultation and skin assessment with a nurse
2. Numbing cream for about 45 minutes
3. Treatment of roughly 30 to 45 minutes
4. Two to three days of redness, then gradual improvement over months

At a glance

	RF microneedling	Ablative laser
Typical downtime	2 to 3 days	7 to 14 days
Sessions	3 or more	1 to 2
Skin tones	Most	More limited
Main strengths	Texture, laxity, scars	Deeper lines, texture

Typical ranges for illustration. Individual results vary.

“We would rather plan three gentle sessions you can recover from easily than one aggressive session that keeps you home for a week.”

Danielle OkaforLaser & Light - Texture

Questions we hear

General information only, not medical advice. Illustrative demo. Individual results vary. Pricing shown is illustrative.