Below, learn everything you need to know about the treatment, and see exactly what happened when I tried it.
What is Morpheus 8?
Think of Morpheus 8 as your standard microneedling treatment with increasing intensity. “It uses micro-needles with radiofrequency waves that are applied to the skin, creating a controlled wound or series of micro-wounds that start at the surface of the skin and work its way into the deeper layers of the skin. ,” said board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MDFounder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL. “It’s these controlled injuries that trigger the body’s natural immune response, stimulating collagen production.”
But related story
This line of wound-healing collagen leads to tighter, firmer skin, which is why this treatment is known as a “non-surgical facelift.” It can also help reduce the appearance of texture problems such as acne scars, fine lines, and wrinkles. In addition, the device can be used anywhere on the body to tighten loose or sagging skin and fade stretch marks.
While there are similar devices on the market—such as Genius RF, Ultherapy, Vivace, and Profound RF—Morpheus 8 is considered one of the most powerful radiofrequency microneedling treatments available. It penetrates the skin deeper than other options (about 8mm, say Dr. Robert Schwarcz. MDOne two board certified eye plastic surgeon) to yield meaningful results after two to four sessions.
Who is a good candidate for Morpheus 8?
“Morpheus 8 is safe for all skin types and all skin tones,” says Dr. Hartman. “For patients in their 20s and 30s, we can treat more acne scars and uneven skin texture, while patients in their 40s and older often look to Morpheus 8 for firming. firm skin, which often sags with age. [mainly] jawline, face and neck.
He adds that the best patients for Morpheus 8 are those with mild to moderate skin laxity, which is why younger patients tend to have better results from the procedure (because they there is more natural collagen in the skin). Additionally, those looking to correct fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, acne scars, and those looking for an overall improvement in the appearance of their skin are all bright candidates. price for Morpheus 8.
“Patients with severe skin sagging will not see the same benefits as patients with mild skin sagging; for those patients, we’ll be looking at other surgical options,” said Dr. In other words, Morpheus 8 will not be a substitute for a facelift if your problem is severe sagging.
How much does Morpheus 8 cost and how many sessions do you need?
The cost of a Morpheus 8 treatment depends on who and where you see it, the area of the body you’re treating, or if you treat multiple body areas at once, such as the face and neck. In general, the average cost per session can range from $750 to $1,700.
Experts recommend two to four treatments spaced four to six weeks apart. Dr. Hartman says that some patients will see results immediately after each treatment, with a noticeable improvement for up to three or four weeks after treatment.
These results will typically last three to six months, and experts generally recommend retouching once or twice a year to maintain them.
What happened when I tried Morpheus 8
The cure
To prepare for the Morpheus 8 session, Dr. Hartman recommends staying out of the sun and stopping using any aggressive skin care ingredients (mainly vitamin C, retinol, and exfoliating acids). at least a week before your appointment.
For my own adventure in non-surgical facelifts, I went to StudioMD in New York City. There, I met Nancy Ismail, a medical esthetician and clinical coach, who performed three Morpheus 8 treatments (4-6 weeks apart, as recommended) on the face and lower my chin. Each session started with me sitting for an hour with numbing cream on the areas the device would target. Then it’s time to get into it.
“The treatment is performed with a handpiece attached to a station with 24 automatic pins that move back and forth 8mm deep using radiofrequency energy,” said Dr. Schwarcz.
While 8mm may not seem like a long length for a needle, when it goes quickly into your skin with the extra heat, it can choke you. Even when numbing cream is applied, there is still some pain and discomfort. And because Ismail increased the intensity of the device each time I entered a session to maximize my results, by the third treatment I was in so much pain that I had to take a 30-second break every once in a while. time. However, even with the discomfort, the results are worth it.
After treatment, Dr. Hartman recommends avoiding makeup and continuing with an active-free skincare routine for at least two days. He suggests using a gentle cleanser, patting your face dry, and applying moisturizer and sunscreen.
Result
After my first session, there was a slight difference in the firmness and brightness of my skin. After the second session, I started noticing the disappearance of the nasolabial folds and small wrinkles around the mouth. And after the third session, my face, jawline and under-chin area looked noticeably tighter and firmer. In the weeks following my last treatment, I noticed that the pores on my nose were less visible and my skin looked healthier overall.
Although expensive, Morpheus 8 is the only treatment I’ve ever tried that has lasting and very noticeable results—and I couldn’t recommend it more. The device did exactly what it promised: It tightened, lifted, and smoothed my skin, while making it look like the best version of itself.
