How does radiofrequency work for cellulite reduction and skin tightening?

“TL;DR: Radiofrequency works by providing intense deep heat in the hypodermis and dermis, i.e. the two deeper skin layers.

This results in collagen and elastin synthesis, collagen contraction, adipolysis, lipolysis and circulation enhancement, which manifest as skin tightening and cellulite reduction.”

How does RF work?

• What is the aim of radiofrequency treatment?

• How does radiofrequency-induced heat work for skin tightening, cellulite removal and anti-ageing?

• What about superficially-acting or low-power radiofrequency?

• Have a skin tightening/cellulite treatment in London with the experts

• Discover our professional training and consultancy in cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency and ultrasound cavitation

What is the aim of radiofrequency treatment?

Radiofrequency is a technology aiming to provide deep heat INSIDE the skin, as opposed to a hot shower, a hot pack or an infrared-emitting device that provides superficial heat ON the skin.

RF is used to stimulate processes in the dermis and hypodermis (second and third layers of skin, respectively, while at the same time not overheating the epidermis (as is the case with a hot shower, a hot pack or an infrared lamp.)

That’s the aim theoretically. In practice, most RF treatments provide too superficial heat and so miss the whole point. Plus most RF treatments are too weak to confer any significant benefit.

The information in this article is about real radiofrequency, i.e. high-power, deep-acting RF which, if applied by a well-trained, experienced and knowledgable therapist, can provide deep, intensive heating, SAFELY.

How does radiofrequency-induced heat work for skin tightening, cellulite removal and anti-ageing?

The intense deep heat produced by high-power, deep-acting radiofrequency on the hypodermis and dermis has four actions:

1. Strong, deep RF stimulates both lipolysis (fat release) from adipocytes (fat cells) AND adipocyte apoptosis (programmed fat cell death). The combination of lipolysis and adipolysis gradually leads to smaller cellulite bumps, with repeated sessions.

2. Strong, deep RF stimulates collagen contraction of existing collagen. This means tighter, more lifted skin, both immediately (with one session) and long-term (with repeated sessions).

3. Strong, deep RF stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis in fibroblasts (collagen cells). This means long-lasting skin tightness and lifting (with multiple sessions).

4. Strong, deep RF intensely stimulates circulation and lymphatic drainage on the area it is applied, which removes fat molecules from the interstitial tissues in area without the need of any lymphatic massage or pressotherapy. This effect is immediate.

All together, these four actions lead to cellulite removal (on the body) and skin tightening (on the face and body), all at once.

This means that with deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency you don’t need to have a separate treatment for cellulite and another one for skin tightening.

Neither do you need a lymphatic massage afterwards to boost circulation.

What about superficially-acting or low-power radiofrequency?

With superficially-acting and/or low-power treatments you just waste your time: temperature never increases to a therapeutic level in the hypodermis, due to superficial action and/or due to low power. So not much happens. Superficially-acting and/or low-power RF is largely ineffective.

An RF treatment can be superficial or low-power either due to poor equipment choice or due to poor use of the equipment, i.e. wrong protocols/poor understanding of the physics of RF.

Have a skin tightening/cellulite treatment in London with the experts

At LipoTherapeia we have specialised 100% in skin tightening and cellulite reduction for more than two decades and 20,000+ sessions.

This is all we study and practise every day and have researched and tried hands-on all the important skin tightening equipment and their manufacturers.

As strong, deep acting radiofrequency and deep-acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation are the technologies of choice for skin tightening and cellulite reduction, we have invested in the best RF/ultrasound technologies in the world.

Furthermore, over the last two decades we have developed advanced RF and cavitation treatment protocols in order to make the most of our technologies, for maximum results, naturally and safely.

Our radiofrequency/ultrasound treatments are comfortable, pain-free, downtime-free, injection-free, microneedling-free, 99.5%+ safe and always non-invasive.

And our focus is on honest, realistic, science-based treatment, combined with caring, professional service, with a smile.

We will be pleased to see you, assess your cellulite, skin laxity or fibrosis, listen to your story, discuss your case and offer you the best possible treatment.

Learn more or check prices and book an expert treatment at our London clinic (49 Marylebone High Street, W1)

Discover our professional training and consultancy in cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency and ultrasound cavitation

Do you want to deeply understand radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, cellulite and skin tightening?

Attend a half-day, 1-day or 2-day or 3-day professional consultancy / one-to-one masterclass and confidently offer your clients the safest, strongest and most effective treatment possible.

Service available via Zoom or at our central London practice.