What's Really Behind All the Buzz About RF Microneedling
July 14, 2025
The gold needles your skin will appreciate
Is this just another "revolutionary" skincare treatment? After eighteen months of watching patients literally stop mid-sentence when they catch themselves in our lobby mirror, we figured it was time to explain what's actually happening with RF microneedling.
Women who've tried everything, spent thousands on treatments that barely moved the needle, suddenly seeing changes that make their friends start asking pointed questions about "work."
Let's Back Up and Explain What This Actually Is
So here's the deal with RF microneedling. Kellye Vogel, our PA who does all these treatments, explains it like this: most skincare treatments are like repainting a house with foundation problems. You might get a temporarily prettier surface, but the underlying structure is still compromised.
These gold needles - and they're literally gold-plated, not some marketing gimmick - create tiny controlled injuries while shooting radiofrequency energy into the deeper skin layers. Your body freaks out (in a good way) and starts churning out collagen and elastin like you're twenty-five again.
The Vivace system we use is frankly ridiculous in terms of technology. Computer-controlled needle depth, robotic insertion patterns, built-in LED therapy. Kellye can adjust literally everything based on what your skin needs. It's not a one-size-fits-all situation.
But here's what surprised me most: the results look completely natural. No one's walking around looking like they had "work done." They just look like better versions of themselves.
The Stories That Made Our Patients Believers
Maria came to us eight months ago ready to book a facelift. She's a successful real estate agent, mid-fifties, and was getting tired of people asking if she was feeling okay when she wasn't wearing makeup.
During her consultation, Kellye noticed that Maria's skin issues weren't just aging - they were layered with years of sun damage from showing houses all over North County. Standard aesthetic treatments wouldn't address the deeper structural problems.
We ended up doing a series of Vivace treatments with PRP enhancement. Basically using Maria's own blood platelets to supercharge the healing process. The transformation was so gradual and natural that Maria's clients started commenting that she looked "rested" and asking about her skincare routine.
Eight months later, Maria hasn't scheduled that facelift. She doesn't need it.
Then there's Lisa, who came in completely defeated. Three dermatologists had tried increasingly aggressive treatments for her adult acne. Antibiotics, harsh topicals, even discussions about Accutane. Nothing worked, and her skin was getting worse.
Kellye took one look at Lisa's pattern and saw what the others missed. The breakouts weren't random - they perfectly matched her stress cycles and irregular periods. Classic perimenopause presentation that most doctors treat as separate issues.
We coordinated with Dr. Nanos on hormone support while Kellye addressed the skin inflammation with targeted RF microneedling treatments. Three months later, Lisa's skin was clearer than it had been since college.
What Actually Happens During Treatment
First off, our office doesn't feel medical. We designed it specifically to feel more like an upscale spa because no one wants to feel like they're having surgery when they're trying to improve their appearance.
Kellye starts every appointment with this crazy detailed skin analysis using imaging that shows damage you can't see in normal light. Sun spots that haven't surfaced yet, collagen breakdown patterns, areas of dehydration - it's honestly a little shocking what's hiding under there.
Then she customizes literally everything. Needle depth, energy levels, treatment pattern - all based on what your specific skin analysis revealed. The numbing cream ensures you're comfortable, though most people say it feels like warm vibration with light pressure.
The actual treatment takes about forty-five minutes. Kellye moves the device across your skin in overlapping patterns while those gold needles do their thing. You can feel the warmth from the radiofrequency energy, but it's not uncomfortable.
Afterward, she applies these incredible healing serums that penetrate through all those microscopic channels the needles created. Your skin looks flushed for a few hours - similar to a mild sunburn - but most people are back to normal activities the next day.
The Science Part (Without Getting Boring)
The radiofrequency energy heats your skin to exactly 42-45 degrees Celsius. That's the sweet spot for triggering maximum collagen production without causing damage. The gold coating on the needles conducts energy more efficiently and causes less irritation than other metals.
Here's the cool part: your body thinks it's been injured and immediately starts repair mode. Fibroblasts - the cells that make collagen - kick into overdrive. Over the following weeks and months, new collagen fibers form while existing ones tighten and reorganize.
The improvement continues for months after treatment. Patients often call three months later saying their skin is still getting better. That's because the collagen remodeling process takes time to fully develop.
Beyond Basic Treatments
For patients wanting maximum results, Kellye often adds what she calls biological accelerators. PRP therapy uses your own blood platelets, which are loaded with growth factors. When applied during microneedling, these penetrate deeply and essentially give your skin a personalized healing cocktail.
We've seen patients who did basic RF microneedling get excellent results. But the ones who add these enhancements often experience transformations that border on dramatic.
Let's Talk Money
The women who do this treatment were already spending hundreds monthly on skincare products that delivered minimal results. This actually works out to be more cost-effective over time, plus the results are dramatically superior.
Sarah, who owns a marketing firm in Carlsbad, put it perfectly: "I was dropping three hundred a month on serums and creams that maybe made a tiny difference. This gave me results that no amount of expensive skincare could achieve. I actually enjoy looking in the mirror now."
Most people need three to four treatments spaced about a month apart. The investment varies depending on the treatment plan, but we're transparent about all costs during consultation.
Why We Chose This Specific System
There are tons of microneedling devices out there. We researched for months before investing in the Vivace system because our patients deserve the best technology available.
The precision is unmatched. Computer-controlled needle penetration eliminates human error that can cause uneven results. The robotic insertion reduces discomfort while ensuring optimal coverage. The integrated LED therapy speeds healing and reduces downtime.
Most importantly, Kellye can customize every parameter for each individual patient. It's not a cookie-cutter approach - everything is adjusted based on your skin analysis and goals.
How This Fits Into Overall Health
What we love about this treatment is how it fits into our whole-person approach to wellness. While Kellye is rebuilding your skin's foundation, we're also looking at hormonal factors, nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle elements that impact skin aging.
When aesthetic treatments are coordinated with overall health optimization, the results are often more dramatic and longer-lasting. Your skin reflects your internal health, so addressing both simultaneously creates transformation that goes beyond surface improvement.
If You're Considering This
Your consultation with Kellye includes that detailed skin analysis. The imaging reveals damage and potential you can't see in your bathroom mirror. She'll explain exactly what RF microneedling can accomplish for your specific concerns and design a treatment plan that fits your goals and lifestyle.
The transformation doesn't happen overnight, but patients consistently tell us the gradual improvement feels more natural and confidence-boosting than dramatic procedures that suddenly change your appearance.
The consultation is complimentary. Even if you decide not to proceed, you'll learn more about your skin health than you probably have in years. And honestly, the analysis alone is worth the visit.
Ready to see what your skin could look like with the right intervention? Book your appointment today!
The biggest regret most patients express is waiting so long to try this.
You might also enjoy:
Dr. Georgine Nanos challenges the focus on disease detection over optimal health in women's healthcare - why annual screenings aren't enough when women are suffering from declining function that gets dismissed as "normal aging."
Most women can't do a proper Kegel even after pelvic floor training. Dr. Trish Wallace reveals why muscles matter for everything.
Women don't present like textbooks. Our symptoms are layered, nuanced, and often subtle. When we're given only minutes, we're not heard - we're filtered through a broken system that wasn't designed for us. Tune in for more info from Dr. Georgine Nanos.
Dr. Nanos explains the neuroscience behind TMS's effectiveness across multiple conditions, revealing how it strengthens the brain's regulatory networks rather than sedating symptoms. The discussion highlights KIND TMS's pioneering One-Day Protocol - compressing traditional six-week treatment into a single day - making this transformative therapy accessible to people who couldn't commit to daily clinic visits.
Dr. Georgine Nanos explains why accomplished women are being misdiagnosed with depression when their brain fog and mood changes are actually neurological responses to hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause.
Dr. Georgine Nanos explore why Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) belongs in primary care settings - where most mental health journeys actually begin.
Bariatric surgeon Dr. Nicole Basa reveals why you don't need to weigh 600 pounds to qualify for life-changing weight loss surgery.
Dr. Georgine Nanos exposes how primary care's assembly-line approach fails women by fragmenting interconnected symptoms across multiple specialists instead of treating the whole person comprehensively.
In this groundbreaking episode of The Kind Revolution Podcast, Dr. Georgine Nanos shares the revolutionary 1-day Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation protocol that she pioneered - making her clinic the first in the world to compress traditional 6-8 week depression treatment into a single transformative day. Dr. Nanos
If you’re a San Diego/Encinitas woman trying to navigate healthcare without losing your intuition, this video breaks down how to combine evidence-based medicine with your gut instincts—so you get the right care, without the runaround.
