RF Microneedling

Face

Smoother texture, firmer-feeling skin

Radiofrequency microneedling in Hale, Altrincham

Radiofrequency microneedling can soften fine lines and mild wrinkles, make pores less obvious and improve skin texture and firmness.

Your skin has a few things you'd like to improve: pores that catch your eye, fine lines and mild wrinkles or an uneven texture left behind by acne. You'd like it to look smoother and feel firmer, with a treatment you can fit around work and everything else in the diary.

At SONÜ, Dr Alex uses Focus Dual radiofrequency microneedling to stimulate collagen and improve skin quality over a course of treatments.

The improvement builds gradually as your skin responds.

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Dr Alex is a key opinion leader for Eunsung, the manufacturer of Focus Dual, and has presented and taught internationally on RF microneedling.

Book a consultation Learn more
Treatment costs
Full face £395
Redness
Often around 12 hours
Surface settling
Usually 1-2 days
Initial course
Usually 3 or more sessions

What catches your eye?

It's the texture you'd like to change

It doesn't have to be one deep wrinkle or a dramatic change. Several small things can add up to skin that doesn't look quite as smooth as you'd like.

Your pores seem more noticeable

You notice them across your cheeks or around your nose, particularly in certain lighting. The magnifying mirror is rarely much help with perspective. You'd like the skin to look more even, with pores that draw less attention.

Fine wrinkles and less firmness

Your skin creases more easily and doesn't feel as firm as it used to. You're interested in softening those fine wrinkles and improving the skin itself, rather than adding volume to the area.

Acne has left an uneven surface

The breakouts may have settled, but the small dips and rough-looking texture are still there. You'd like to improve the appearance of those marks and find out how much change is realistic for your particular scars.

Fitting treatment into your diary

RF microneedling at a glance

Recovery is usually quick with Dr Alex's Focus Dual treatments. The collagen improvement takes longer, so think in terms of a course rather than an instant result.

Treatment costs
Full face £395
Per session. Selected smaller areas start at £250; face and neck is £550.
Redness
Often around 12 hours
This is typical in Dr Alex's practice. Some skin stays pink or sensitive for longer.
Surface settling
Usually 1-2 days
Tiny rough crusts can follow the redness and then flake away. Let them shed naturally rather than picking them.
Initial course
Usually 3 or more sessions
Dr Alex generally recommends at least three where appropriate, with a minimum of one month between treatments.
Results develop
Over the following months
Collagen takes time to develop. Improvement builds during and after the course, with response assessed before further treatment.

What could improve?

Skin that looks smoother and feels firmer

The aim is better texture and skin quality: softer-looking fine lines, less obvious pores and a firmer feel.

RF microneedling can help smooth an uneven surface, including certain types of acne scars, and improve the appearance of fine wrinkles. You might notice the change when applying makeup, washing your face or seeing your skin in ordinary daylight.

Dr Alex uses it as a firming treatment. He doesn't promise that it will lift a sagging jawline or reposition tissue in the way a patient might mean by a "lift". If the main concern is drooping rather than skin texture, he'll discuss a more suitable approach.

Changes develop over the months around your treatment course. Some improvements may become noticeable sooner, but the skin needs time to produce and remodel collagen. Judging the result while it is still swollen won't tell you what the finished improvement will be.

Pores won't disappear, and deeper scars may need a combination of treatments. Dr Alex will explain the improvement he thinks is achievable, then review how your skin responds as the course progresses.

✓

✓

A smoother-looking skin surface

✓

Pores that look less obvious

✓

Softer-looking fine lines and wrinkles

✓

An improvement in certain types of acne scars

Choosing the right approach

How much change, and how much recovery time?

The best option depends on what bothers you, your skin and the amount of recovery you can comfortably fit into your plans.

Fine lines, pores and mild crepiness
RF microneedling may suit you if you want to improve skin texture and firmness with a quick recovery. Dr Alex will assess the treatment area and distinguish changes in the skin from deeper sagging or volume loss.
Texture left behind by acne
It can be useful for certain types of acne scars and uneven texture after breakouts have settled. Different scar shapes respond differently, so Dr Alex may recommend another treatment or a combination. Active, inflamed acne needs its own assessment first.
Skin that needs a cautious approach to heat
Darker skin tones can be considered for RF microneedling. Dr Alex will look at your history of pigmentation, current skincare and previous reactions before choosing the treatment. Some patients benefit from skin preparation first, even when the expected recovery is short.

RF microneedling or laser?

A shorter recovery can be a good reason to choose it

For many of the texture and fine-line concerns he treats, Dr Alex finds CO2 laser, including CoolPeel where appropriate, gives a more noticeable improvement. He'll explain that if laser is the stronger option for your skin.

RF microneedling still has a useful place when you'd prefer a quicker recovery and are happy with a gradual course of improvement. You can weigh up the likely change against the time your skin needs to settle. Skin type, the problem being treated and the settings all affect that choice.

Needles plus radiofrequency

Stimulating collagen within the skin

Fine needles deliver radiofrequency energy into the skin, creating controlled heating that stimulates a repair response and collagen remodelling.

Ordinary microneedling relies on the small needle channels to trigger a skin response. RF microneedling adds heat at the selected depth. Over time, this can improve the skin's texture and firmness.

Focus Dual uses vacuum assistance to gently draw up and steady the skin during treatment. Dr Alex values this for control and comfort. He also has different needle options, including non-insulated needles, which give him a choice in how the energy is delivered.

The settings are chosen for the area and the thickness of your skin. A thin patch near the eyes needs a different approach from thicker skin elsewhere. For this treatment, the goal is to improve the skin while preserving the underlying facial volume.

Your appointment

Numbing first, then treatment with Dr Alex

Numbing cream is usually applied beforehand. It makes the treatment easier to tolerate, although some heat, pressure or sharp sensations can still be felt.

Consultation

Look at your skin and your priorities

Dr Alex will examine the lines, pores or texture that bother you, discuss previous treatments and check your medical history. Tell him how much recovery time you can allow and whether you're considering laser or have tried Morpheus8 before.
Preparation

Give the numbing cream time to work

Your skin is prepared and the anaesthetic is given time to take effect. Mention any previous reaction to numbing cream. Dr Alex will explain what the treatment should feel like before starting.
Treatment

Treat each area appropriately

The handpiece is moved across the planned area in small sections. The vacuum steadies the skin as the needles deliver the energy. Dr Alex adjusts the treatment for each area and can pause if you need a moment.
Afterwards

Let the surface settle

You'll receive instructions on cleansing, moisturiser, sun protection and when to restart makeup, exercise and stronger skincare. Small dark pinpoints or rough crusts may appear for a day or two; leave them to flake off naturally. Your next session will be at least a month later.

Experience with Focus Dual

Why choose Dr Alex for RF microneedling?

Dr Alex is a key opinion leader for Eunsung, the manufacturer of Focus Dual. He has presented and taught on RF microneedling internationally, including educational events in Helsinki and Sweden. In the UK, he has spoken for Lynton about his experience with Focus Dual.

He uses both RF microneedling and CO2 laser in clinic, so he can explain where he prefers each. His recommendation takes account of the improvement you're hoping for and the recovery you're prepared to have, rather than assuming one device suits every skin concern.

With Focus Dual, he values the vacuum assistance and choice of needles. Patients who have experienced both Focus Dual and Morpheus8 have told him they found his treatment more comfortable.

He'll also explain why he is aiming to firm the skin, what the course involves and where another option would make more sense.

GMC-registered doctor · 7072776

Full Member of BCAM

International toxin trainer

Aesthetics Awards winner 2021

Recovery and side effects

What should you expect as the skin settles?

Redness, warmth, tenderness and a little swelling can follow treatment. Tiny crusts or pinpoint marks may be visible as the surface heals.

Possible side effects

In Dr Alex's practice, redness often settles in around 12 hours. A slightly rough texture and small crusts can remain for another day or two, and some skin takes longer to settle. Short visible recovery doesn't mean the skin is ready for every product or activity straight away.

Infection, pigment changes, prolonged marks and scarring are possible. Burns, nerve injury and unwanted fat loss have also been reported with RF microneedling. The treatment plan needs to account for the skin and tissue in each area, as well as the amount of energy delivered.

Dr Alex chooses the settings and depth with the aim of treating skin and preserving facial volume. That helps guide the treatment, but it cannot make the risk zero. He'll discuss the risks relevant to your skin before you decide.

When to contact the clinic

Contact the clinic promptly for blistering, severe or increasing pain, spreading redness, discharge, or skin that becomes unusually pale or dusky. New numbness, weakness or a change in facial contour also needs assessment. Seek urgent medical help for rapidly worsening symptoms; call 999 for difficulty breathing or swelling of the throat.

When treatment may need to wait

Active infection, broken skin or an inflamed skin condition may need treating first. Tell Dr Alex if you're pregnant, have an implanted electrical device such as a pacemaker, take medicines that affect healing, or have a history of unusual scarring. He'll check these and any recent procedures before deciding whether treatment is appropriate.

You can ask questions, pause during treatment or take time to decide before booking a course.

Treatment costs

Planning the cost of your course

Full-face RF microneedling is £395 per session, or £550 for the face and neck. Selected smaller areas start at £250. Dr Alex generally recommends at least three sessions where appropriate and will explain the total for your proposed course.

Full face
£395per session
Face and neck
£550per session
Selected smaller areas
From £250per session
CoolPeel and RF microneedling
£700per agreed combined treatment
Dr Alex will confirm the areas, recommended course and whether a combined treatment suits your skin.
A consultation with Dr Alex costs £75. If you choose to have treatment within 3 months of your consultation, you can put this fee towards it, including at a later appointment. It cannot be used towards skincare products. If you decide not to have treatment, the fee covers your consultation.
Book a consultation
Consultation is £75. Combined CoolPeel and RF microneedling is £700. Dr Alex will confirm whether it suits your skin and which areas your appointment will cover. Combined treatments have their own recovery advice.

Your questions

Questions about RF microneedling and Focus Dual

From Morpheus8 comparisons to the small marks you might see afterwards, here's what to know before choosing treatment.

Is Focus Dual the same as Morpheus8?
They are different devices in the RF microneedling treatment category. Morpheus8, sometimes written "Morpheus 8", is an InMode brand; SONÜ uses Focus Dual. Both combine needles with radiofrequency energy, but their features and treatment options differ. If you're researching Morpheus8, a consultation can help you decide whether Focus Dual suits the result you're looking for.
Why does Dr Alex choose Focus Dual?
He values its vacuum assistance, which steadies the skin, and its choice of needles, including non-insulated options. These give him flexibility in how he treats different areas. Patients who have tried both have reported finding his Focus Dual treatment more comfortable than Morpheus8. He can explain why he prefers it for your skin and what improvement he expects.
Would CoolPeel or CO2 laser give me a better result?
For many texture and fine-line concerns, Dr Alex often favours CO2 laser when a patient wants a more noticeable change and can allow the recovery. RF microneedling can be a good choice when a quicker recovery matters more. The choice also depends on your scars and skin type. He'll compare the likely benefit and recovery for you.
Can RF microneedling cause unwanted fat loss?
It is a recognised potential complication. Dr Alex plans skin-quality treatment with the aim of preserving facial fat, choosing the treatment depth and energy for each area. Those choices matter, but they don't remove every risk. If you already have facial hollows, have had previous energy treatments or are worried about volume loss, discuss this before proceeding.
Is it suitable for darker skin tones?
It can be. RF microneedling is an option Dr Alex considers when pigmentation risk makes some resurfacing treatments less attractive. Darker skin still needs assessment: heat and inflammation can cause pigment changes, and preparation may be advisable. He'll consider your skin's history and the particular treatment being compared, rather than assuming all lasers or skin tones carry the same risk.
How many sessions will I need, and when will I see results?
Dr Alex generally recommends at least three treatments where suitable, with a minimum of one month between sessions. Improvement develops during and after the course as collagen remodels, so the fuller result is judged over several months. The number of sessions and any later maintenance depend on your concern and response, especially when treating acne scars.
Does RF microneedling hurt?
Numbing cream is usually used first. You can still feel warmth, pressure and some sharp sensations, with certain areas more sensitive than others. The vacuum-assisted delivery is one reason Dr Alex likes Focus Dual for comfort. Tell him if a previous treatment was painful so he can discuss what to expect and pause when needed.
What will my skin look like afterwards?
Expect some redness, often settling in around 12 hours in Dr Alex's practice. Tiny dark dots or rough crusts can follow for a day or two. They may look a little like small blackheads, but they need leaving alone to shed. Some people stay red or swollen longer. Follow your aftercare instructions before restarting makeup, exercise or strong skincare.
Can I combine it with CoolPeel or HIFU?
Sometimes. Dr Alex can combine RF microneedling with CoolPeel in selected plans, and may also consider HIFU. He assesses the areas, depths and overall treatment intensity before deciding whether to combine them or space appointments apart. Recovery after a combined appointment can be longer than after RF microneedling on its own.
Does it treat acne or the scars left by acne?
Improving certain types of acne scars and the texture left behind is a common reason to consider it. If you're still getting active breakouts, Dr Alex will assess those first; treating ongoing acne may be the priority before working on scars. Deep or tethered scars can need other techniques, so a course of RF microneedling isn't automatically the whole treatment plan.

Other approaches

Which treatment best matches your skin concern?

CoolPeel or stronger CO2 resurfacing may suit a greater change in surface texture. HIFU addresses a different firming and lifting goal, while ordinary microneedling treats without RF heating. Dr Alex can explain how these options compare for your skin and the recovery you can allow.

CoolPeel CO2 laser in Hale, Altrincham

Fade sun-related pigmentation, smooth texture and bring back a brighter glow with CoolPeel CO2 laser at SONÜ. Treatment with Dr Alex.

HIFU skin tightening in Hale, Altrincham

Feeling jowly or noticing sagging skin? Explore HIFU with Dr Alex for firmer skin and a more defined jawline, usually without downtime.

Let's look at your skin

A smoother surface, with a plan that fits

Tell Dr Alex what you'd like to change about your skin and ask any questions you have about Focus Dual or Morpheus8. At SONÜ in Hale, Altrincham, Dr Alex will explain what RF microneedling could achieve, how it compares with laser and what the course would involve.

Book a consultation Contact the clinic
SONÜ Medical Aesthetics

34 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA14 2EX

Doctor-led treatment in a relaxed, private clinic

Close to Hale station and easy to reach from Altrincham, Manchester and Cheshire