Aesthetic dermatology · London
RF microneedling, device matched to your skin.
Sylfirm X, Secret RF, Genius, INTRAcel, Vivace and Endymed Intensif in one panel of London clinics. We match the device (and the mode) to acne scars, melasma, redness, texture or mild laxity, and shortlist the right consultant.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A device chosen for your skin, not the clinic diary
Sylfirm X for pigment and vascular concerns, Secret RF or Genius for scars and texture, Endymed Intensif for deeper laxity. We match the device to the skin.
- 02
Practitioners who treat all Fitzpatrick types
Insulated needles protect the epidermis in richly pigmented skin. Every clinic on our list treats Fitzpatrick I to VI routinely.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What RF microneedling costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our London panel. Prices vary by device, practitioner and whether numbing and add-ons are included.
In short
A single face session: £380–£750. Package of three: £950–£1,800.
| Treatment | Indicative range | Typical duration | Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation and skin analysis | £95–£180 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
| Sylfirm X (PW or CW), full face | £450–£700 | 45 min | Same visit |
| Secret RF or Genius RF, full face | £500–£750 | 45 min | Same visit |
| INTRAcel or Vivace, full face | £380–£600 | 45 min | Same visit |
| Endymed Intensif, full face | £450–£650 | 45 min | Same visit |
| Package of three sessions (face) | £950–£1,800 | 45 min ea | 3–4 months |
The journey
From first message to your third session.
One team from device match to the last review photograph.
- 01
Before
You send us a photo and a short brief
A few well-lit photos and what bothers you: scars, pores, dullness, melasma, redness, mild laxity. Skin type and any active retinoids or acids.
- 02
Before
We come back with a device and clinic match
Within one working day: which device suits the concern (Sylfirm X PW, Secret RF, Genius, INTRAcel, Vivace, Endymed Intensif), an indicative price and a shortlist of two or three London clinics.
- 03
Before
Consultation and patch test
A face to face review with the practitioner. Retinoids paused for a week, no sun-tanning for two weeks, no aspirin or fish oils for three days.
- 04
On the day
Numbing and skin prep
Topical anaesthetic cream for 45 minutes. Skin cleansed, chlorhexidine wipe, and the treatment plan mapped by zone.
- 05
On the day
The RF microneedling pass
20 to 40 minutes. Needles insert at 0.5 to 3.5 mm; bipolar RF fires at the tip. Sylfirm X alternates PW mode for pigment and vessels with CW mode for tissue tightening.
- 06
On the day
Home the same afternoon
Pinpoint bleeding, warmth and mild swelling. A hyaluronic serum and mineral SPF. Redness settles over 24 to 72 hours.
- 07
After
The course, and what changes
Three to four sessions, four to six weeks apart. Cumulative improvement in tone, pores, scars and pigment over three to six months.
When it helps
The skin concerns RF microneedling actually shifts.
What responds well, and when we would send you to a different treatment.
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Acne scarring: boxcar, rolling, mild ice-pick
Insulated bipolar RF at 1.5 to 2.5 mm remodels dermal collagen and softens depressed scars over a course.
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Melasma and post-inflammatory pigment
Sylfirm X in PW (pulsed-wave) mode targets the dermal-epidermal junction and melanocyte activity without heating the epidermis.
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Rosacea and diffuse facial redness
Sylfirm X PW mode coagulates fine vasculature and calms erythema in skin that does not tolerate IPL well.
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Enlarged pores and rough texture
Shallow passes at 0.5 to 1.5 mm refine the surface, tighten pore walls and lift dullness.
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Stretch marks (striae rubra and alba)
Deeper passes at 2 to 3 mm on abdomen, thighs or arms stimulate collagen inside the striae over three to four sessions.
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Mild to moderate skin laxity
CW (continuous-wave) mode and deeper Endymed Intensif passes firm jawline and neck. Not as deep as Morpheus8 for heavy laxity.
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Skin quality in Fitzpatrick IV to VI
Insulated needles limit epidermal thermal injury, making RF microneedling one of the safer resurfacing options in richly pigmented skin.
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Not the right call: active infection, isotretinoin, keloid tendency
Active acne cysts, herpes flare, recent isotretinoin (within six months) or a strong keloid history mean we defer or refer.
Device options
RF microneedling is a family of devices, not one machine.
Each device sits in a slightly different sweet spot for depth, energy delivery and skin concern.
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Sylfirm X (PW mode)
Pulsed-wave RF at the dermal-epidermal junction. The go-to for melasma, rosacea, redness and post-inflammatory pigment across all skin types.
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Sylfirm X (CW mode)
Continuous-wave RF into deeper tissue for acne scars, skin tightening and pore refinement. Often alternated with PW in the same session.
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Secret RF (Cutera)
Insulated microneedles, adjustable 0.5 to 3.5 mm, bipolar RF. A workhorse for scars, texture and mild laxity.
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Genius RF (Lutronic)
Real-time impedance feedback adjusts energy per pass. Precise for scar work and skin quality on the face and neck.
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INTRAcel and Vivace
Well-established insulated devices. Vivace pairs RF microneedling with LED and topicals in a comfortable session; INTRAcel is the older workhorse.
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Endymed Intensif
Non-insulated gold-plated needles, bipolar RF, deeper tissue heating. Better for tightening; slightly more downtime than Sylfirm X.
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Morpheus8 (for comparison)
Deeper subdermal RF for heavier laxity and lower-face contouring. If that is your primary concern, see the Morpheus8 guide instead.
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Combination protocols
RF microneedling stacks with chemical peels, IPL, polynucleotides, exosomes or PRP between sessions to accelerate results.
Our London panel
A small panel of London clinics, we picked them.
Clinics such as Cadogan Clinic, EF MEDISPA, Skinesis, PHI Clinic, Young LDN and Cranley Clinic. Shortlisted privately, once we understand your skin.
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Consultant dermatologists or advanced aesthetic practitioners with high RF microneedling volume
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Devices with insulated needle tips for safe treatment in Fitzpatrick IV to VI
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Sylfirm X available for pigment and vascular concerns, not only tightening devices
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Written aftercare, 24 hour contact, and photographic follow-up at 3 and 6 months
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards, honestly.
RF microneedling is a well-established, low-downtime treatment. The things worth planning are your skincare pause, SPF, and the four to six week cadence.
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Topical anaesthetic for 45 minutes
Lidocaine or lidocaine-tetracaine cream is applied and wiped before treatment. Most patients rate discomfort 3 to 5 out of 10.
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Redness and pinpoint bleeding
Immediate erythema and tiny bleeding points settle in 24 to 72 hours. Mineral makeup can be applied at 24 hours.
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Swelling and grid marks
Mild swelling for one to two days and a faint grid pattern for 24 to 48 hours are normal, particularly on thinner skin.
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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Uncommon with insulated needles even in darker skin, but strict SPF 50 and no sun exposure for two weeks reduce the risk further.
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Cold sore prophylaxis
If you have a history of facial herpes, aciclovir is prescribed for the day before, day of and two days after treatment.
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Skincare pause
Retinoids, glycolic and salicylic acids and vitamin C are paused for five to seven days before and after each session.
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Realistic expectations
RF microneedling delivers cumulative improvement in skin quality, pigment, scars and texture. For deep jowl laxity, Morpheus8 or surgery is a better fit.
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Session cadence
Three to four sessions at four to six week intervals, then a maintenance session every six to twelve months for most patients.
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Red flags after treatment
Spreading redness, pus, unusual pain, blistering or a cold sore flare need a same-day call to the clinic.
Reading your treatment record
Your session note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever device is used, a good session note keeps to the same shape so we can compare across sessions.
- 01 Header
Device, mode and needle depth
Which device (Sylfirm X, Secret RF, Genius, INTRAcel, Vivace, Endymed Intensif), which mode (PW or CW), and depths per zone in millimetres.
- 02 Technique
Passes, energy and coverage
Number of passes, energy setting in watts or joules, coverage percentage, and any topical or LED add-on.
- 03 Findings
Skin response and tolerance
Erythema pattern, any pinpoint bleeding, immediate tightening, and patient tolerance score.
- 04 Impression
Session plan and review point
Read this first: next session date, expected timeline for change, aftercare and when photographs will be repeated.
Self-pay only for aesthetic indications
RF microneedling is generally self-pay in the UK. We confirm any medical coverage where relevant.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about RF microneedling.
Quick answers on devices, downtime, skin type safety and cost.
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How is Sylfirm X different from Secret RF or Morpheus8?
Sylfirm X is the only mainstream device offering both pulsed-wave (PW) and continuous-wave (CW) RF. PW targets vasculature and pigment at the dermal-epidermal junction, making it the leading choice for melasma, rosacea and redness. Secret RF and Genius are excellent for acne scars, texture and mild laxity. Morpheus8 goes deeper subdermally and is better for lower-face laxity than for pigment.
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Is RF microneedling safe for darker skin (Fitzpatrick IV to VI)?
Yes. Insulated microneedles deliver RF energy from the tip only, sparing the epidermis where melanocytes sit. That is why insulated devices such as Sylfirm X, Secret RF, Genius and INTRAcel are considered among the safer energy-based options for richly pigmented skin.
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How many sessions do I need and how much does it cost?
A typical course is three to four sessions, four to six weeks apart. Single sessions are £380 to £750 in London depending on device and clinic; packages of three sit between £950 and £1,800. A maintenance session every six to twelve months keeps results.
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What is the downtime?
Expect pinpoint bleeding at the end of the session, redness and mild swelling for 24 to 72 hours, and a faint grid pattern that fades within a day or two. Mineral makeup can be worn at 24 hours. Most people are back at work the next day.
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Which London clinics do you shortlist?
Depending on device availability and your concern, we shortlist from clinics such as Cadogan Clinic, EF MEDISPA, Skinesis, PHI Clinic, Young LDN and Cranley Clinic. We share the shortlist privately once we understand your skin.
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When is RF microneedling not the right choice?
If your main concern is heavy jowl or neck laxity, Morpheus8 or a surgical referral usually delivers more. Active acne cysts, an active skin infection, recent isotretinoin within six months, or a strong keloid history mean we defer or refer.
Ready when you are
Send us a photo, we come back with a device and a clinic within a working day.
No fee, no obligation. We shortlist the right device (Sylfirm X for pigment, Secret RF or Genius for scars, Endymed Intensif for laxity) and match you to a London consultant we trust.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Morpheus8 RF microneedling
Deeper subdermal RF for lower-face and neck laxity.
Learn more -
Chemical peel
Superficial to medium peels for pigment, texture and scarring.
Learn more -
Melasma treatment
Combined protocols for stubborn dermal and mixed melasma.
Learn more -
Rosacea treatment
Vascular and inflammatory management for facial redness.
Learn more -
IPL photofacial
Broadband light for pigment, vessels and overall tone.
Learn more -
Fraxel laser resurfacing
Non-ablative fractional laser for texture and scars.
Learn more