Morpheus8 vs. Microneedling: What's the Difference?

There are a lot of terms floating around out there when it comes to medical aesthetics, and it can be hard to know which treatments are best for your situation. Even when you settle on one type of treatment, like microneedling, there are different variations to choose from.

Let’s go over some of the differences between regular microneedling – a common procedure used to stimulate new collagen growth and better skin health – and the Morpheus8, which adds in the benefits of radiofrequency energy. While similar, they do have different applications and target areas, so this can help you choose which one is right for you.

What is Microneedling?

Microneedling – also known by its more technical name, collagen induction therapy – is a cosmetic procedure that involves using a device with fine needles to create tiny, controlled punctures in the skin's upper layers. The goal is to stimulate the body's natural healing process, leading to the production of collagen and elastin – two proteins crucial for maintaining the skin's elasticity, firmness, and youthful appearance.

The Microneedling Process

What can you expect when you come in for a microneedling appointment? We take every precaution to minimize discomfort and reduce anxiety, and every procedure is done by highly trained professionals with plenty of experience.

1. Before we begin, a numbing cream is applied to the treatment area and left for about an hour to set in. You’ll get a thorough cleaning and preparation for the procedure.
2. Next, we use the chosen microneedling device to go over the targeted skin areas and layers. This may be around the eyes, face, neck, arms, abdomen, legs, or any other specific parts of the body. The device can vary in design, but it typically consists of a set of fine, sterile needles that penetrate the skin at adjustable depths. The depth of penetration, and the use of complementary treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and radiofrequency (RF), depends on the specific skin concerns being addressed. This usually takes about 30-60 minutes.
3. These small needlepoints trigger the body's natural healing response, leading to the production of new collagen, fibrin, and elastin. These are what gives your skin its stretchiness, and they directly contribute to a more youthful and healthy appearance with less wrinkles and sagging.
4. After the procedure, the skin may appear red or slightly swollen, similar to a mild sunburn. This is a normal part of the healing process. The nurse practitioner will give you specific after-care instructions, which may include the use of gentle skincare products and sun protection.

What is Morpheus8?

Morpheus8 is a form of advanced microneedling that incorporates RF energy. Going beyond the wrinkle and fine line treatment of the basic version, Morpheus8 can help address everything from sagging skin to stubborn pads of subdermal fat.  It’s safe to use across the entire body, at depths ranging from 0.5mm to 8mm. This ability to “fine-tune” the depth makes it very versatile and practical for targeting specific layers and components of the skin structures.

As a result, it’s very beneficial for people wanting wrinkle removal and smoother skin in addition to fat reduction, healing of acne scars, and a boost to overall skin health. The lead practitioner at Bardöt Beauty, Dr. Ashley Clerk, points out that it’s a great choice for those who want to address the underlying cause of loose skin, as it helps to break down fat cells before tightening the skin on top.

How Morpheus8 Works

Morpheus8 – like every other Bardöt Beauty service – always begins with a free professional consultation to assess your candidacy for the treatment. This is to determine your goals and expectations, discover any complications, and discuss all available options. If you are a good candidate and Morpheus8 is the best way forward, we’ll outline a custom treatment plan to match your budget and desired results.

During the treatment, we will use a multipurpose device equipped with various attachments – for example, we use the FaceTite for jawline definition and facial skin tightening, and BodyTite for areas like the belly and legs. This device features ultrafine microneedles and delivers controlled RF energy to the chosen depth of the underlying layers of the skin.

How does this work? The microneedles create tiny channels, physically initiating your body’s healing response. These channels also enable RF penetration and stimulate collagen production wherever the energetic waves make contact. This dual action promotes skin tightening and improved texture while targeting and reducing fat cell deposits in the treated area, ultimately contributing to better contouring.

As collagen production increases, patients can expect continued improvements in skin texture, laxity, and overall appearance, with the full benefits becoming evident over the course of weeks to months. If you experience temporary redness, swelling, or mild discomfort immediately after the treatment, that’s totally normal. Side effects like this are typically minor and should subside within a few days.

How Many Treatments Does Morpheus8 Take?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this, since it depends quite a bit on personal circumstances. According to Dr. Ashley , our age, hormones, and health all impact collagen production, and this makes a major difference to the number of treatments. Younger people in good health can see the results they want in just a few or even one session. After age 40 and especially after the onset of menopause, this gets harder to predict. Most patients should expect to have check-ins at least once a year and repeat treatments every 1-2 years in order to maintain their results.

Should I Get Morpheus8 or Microneedling?

Like the number of treatments involved, the answer to this requires a look at personal health and what goals you are trying to achieve. While they are related, the two procedures accomplish different things.

When to Use Microneedling

Regular microneedling penetrates from 0.5 to 2mm depth, targeting concerns of the skin surface rather than the underlying layers. These include conditions like:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Acne scars
• Enlarged pores
• Uneven skin tone and texture
• Stretch marks

When to Use Morpheus8

Morpheus8 RF microneedling, on the other hand, penetrates up to 8 mm into the skin to stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and fibrin.

This means the Morpheus8 is capable of targeting deeper structures like fat pads and soft tissue (deeper than 3mm), helping to reduce the prominence of those areas and regenerate healthier skin on top. This combination of physical and energetic stimulation works on multiple target areas at the same time, too. This creates a very effective means of targeting fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars and other scar tissue, and sagging skin around 1-2mm deep. At 0.5mm depth, we can resurface and tighten the thin skin around the eyes, reducing conditions like crows’ feet.

Morpheus8 can be used across the entire body, anywhere that tighter skin, better-looking skin, and fat reduction are desired. We have a full list of approved treatments in the FAQs section of our Morpheus8 page.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Microneedling?

Almost anyone is a good candidate for this treatment, but there are certain factors to consider on a case-by-case basis. To be eligible, you should have:

1. Overall Good Health: It's important for the body to be able to heal efficiently after the micro-injuries created by the procedure.
2. Non-Sensitive Skin: Microneedling may not be suitable for individuals with extremely sensitive or reactive skin. People with conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or active skin infections may need to avoid it.
3. Treatable Skin Conditions: Microneedling is effective for addressing fine lines and wrinkles, scar tissue, uneven skin textures/pigmentation, and the reduction of superficial fat deposits.
4. Realistic Expectations: No technology can fix absolutely everything for everyone. In the consultation, we’ll be honest about expectations and what a full treatment will require. 

Morpheus8 vs. Microneedling: Which is Best?

The choice between Morpheus8 and traditional microneedling depends on individual preferences and specific skin concerns. There is no “better” option – they are simply different approaches of the same technologies. The decision should be based on your goals, skin type, and the advice of a qualified practitioner to ensure optimal and safe results.

To discuss how that might look for you, you can book a consultation with a member of the Bardöt Beauty team. Here, we’ll evaluate your needs, medical history, and desired outcomes. If the stars align, we can create a plan together that works for you to look, feel, and be your best!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for personalized recommendations and to determine if microneedling, Morpheus8, or any other treatment is suitable for your specific needs.