The treatment takes 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the treated area. Your doctor begins by covering the treatment area with numbing cream, which may need up to an hour to take effect. If your provider plans to use a higher setting on the device, you may need local anesthesia.

What sets Morpheus8 apart from similar microneedling devices is that the depth of the radiofrequency heat delivered by its microneedles can be customized to reach different depths of the dermal layers (e.g., superficial, intermediate, deep), so your provider can adjust it based on your specific skin concerns.

First, they should do a test spot, to make sure you don’t have any adverse reactions. Then they’ll stamp the device across your skin, allowing the needles to puncture below the surface and deliver the radiofrequency energy.

You may feel pressure and dull discomfort during the procedure, but it’s typically not too painful, due to the numbing cream.

Morpheus8 recovery is relatively easy, with no real downtime. Doctors say you can expect one to three days of redness, itchiness, and swelling. That means you can schedule the procedure on a Friday and look normal by Monday, depending on the intensity of the treatment. 

You can boost your results post-treatment with targeted skincare. Stronger treatments with microneedling RF can leave channels in the skin for up to 72 hours, helping medical-grade skin-care products penetrate deeper into the skin.

For Morpheus8 aftercare, it is recommended to use products with growth factors, peptides, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and retinol as well as exfoliating cleansers and enzymatic masks, to turn over scabbing or crusting as your skin heals. However, be sure to heed your provider’s own Morpheus8 post-care instructions ahead of embarking on an ambitious skin-care regimen.

You’ll also need to avoid sun exposure for a few weeks and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when you have to be out and about, to avoid post-procedure hyperpigmentation. A physical sunscreen containing titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide will be more gentle on your healing skin.

You may begin to see the benefits of Morpheus8 within a few days of your first treatment and some skin tightening within three weeks.

You typically see results—such as tightening, softening of lines, and improvement in acne scarring—with one to three treatments. New collagen takes time to develop, so full results will be apparent about three months after your final session.

Morpheus8 results last about a year, so you’ll need an annual follow-up session in order to maintain ramped-up collagen production.

Morpheus8 skin resurfacing can safely benefit all skin types and tones, addressing a broad range of skin concerns.

Given its stimulating effect on collagen production, the treatment excels at tightening mildly sagging skin, smoothing wrinkles, and minimizing other signs of aging. Microneedling with radiofrequency energy is also particularly effective at improving the appearance of acne scars—though you shouldn’t pursue it if you still have active acne: needles moving in and out of the skin can spread breakout-causing bacteria.

The microneedling aspect of Morpheus8 helps resurface the top layer of skin, so people with sun damage and dark spots should see clearer, brighter, more evenly toned skin post-treatment.

Most notably, Morpheus8 is a safe option for people with dark skin who might otherwise be at risk of hypo- or hyperpigmentation from other resurfacing treatments, like lasers. Your provider can choose a needle-type that’s safest for your skin tone. They can opt for coated microneedles that emanate heat only from their very tips, precisely targeting the deeper layers of the skin without causing undue damage to the skin’s surface, or uncoated needles that emanate heat along their full length.

Side effects of Morpheus 8 may include transient redness and swelling. It is possible that some patients may experience temporary bruising. The microneedling aspect of treatment may leave tiny points on the skin that crust and flake off. Mild tenderness or soreness may result from the absorption of RF energy and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Our team will discuss the side effects you might experience during your consultation and decision regarding the extent of your treatment plan.

Optimal results may be achieved in as little as one treatment or through a series of treatments conducted over a period of several weeks. We can make an accurate estimate of treatment outcome by observing the condition of your skin, including texture, tone, and laxity, during your consultation.

If microneedling and radio frequency with Morpheus 8 is performed as a stand-alone treatment, it may be possible to apply makeup as soon as the day after treatment. Adding adjunct procedures may increase that gap up to one week.