Radiofrequency is a popular medical procedure for anti-aging, but could it be safe to use at home? And if you were to do it at home, how do you get the most out of it? First, let’s start off with what radiofrequency treatments are.

 

What are radiofrequency skin treatments?

 

In order to understand radio frequency, we actually have to understand the electromagnetic spectrum specifically radio waves and microwaves. Radio Frequency is a type of electromagnetic radiation at a specific frequency range. A wavelength is the distance between two peaks of a wave. The frequency is how many wavelengths form in one second. We categorize these different frequencies and wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum. Radio frequencies are the lowest energy electromagnetic radiation. They have a longer wavelength and likewise a lower frequency because each wavelength takes longer to complete. 

 

Radiofrequency involves using energy from these waves to heat the deep layer of your skin known as your dermis. This heat stimulates the production of collagen. Collagen is the most common protein in your body, and stimulating it can improve signs of wrinkles and sagging skin.

 

Collagen is the strong, stretchy stuff. So, radiofrequency can also be lifting and toning. It helps with fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, or solar spots. 

 

Can radiofrequency help with graceful aging?

 

When it comes to aging, there are two primary types. There is chronological aging. Chronological aging is when our telomeres (a compound structure at the end of a chromosome) shorten. This is the natural process of getting older and hopefully a little wiser. There’s also damage that happens from our environment and sun. This is called photoaging, and it is the most damaging, especially in regards to cancer and wrinkles, but fortunately,  photoaging is also the most preventable by using things like sunscreens and hats.

 

Circling back to chronological aging, collagen and elastin hold together the dermis and epidermis below your skin’s surface, and this keeps your skin firm and bouncy. Also, the amount of collagen and elastin our fibroblasts produce decreases as we grow older. The result is can be skin that is less plump and has fine lines.  However, radiofrequency heats tiny segments of the skin surface and dermis causing micro-injuries. This activates a healing response, and the skin begins to rebuild damaged tissue. This resurfacing helps with fine lines, and wrinkles and improves texture and color.

Can radiofrequency be used at home? 

 

At-home radiofrequency is very gentle, but it’s very effective, especially when utilized for things like skin or body treatments. They have two different ones, and we’re going to talk about the difference between the two and how Cassandra has experienced them. 

 

In contrast to medical dermatology, at-home radiofrequency does not travel deeply enough to degrade fat. For example, radiofrequency is used in some liposuctions as well. There are many at-home radiofrequency devices to use, but Cassandra uses Nebulyft.

 

Nebulyft R1 Multipolar RF Anti-Aging Device 

 

This is the original one, the 256 Pure Gold RF multipolar. They have made-of-gold probes that send radiowaves into the dermis, but the fact that they're made of gold does not truly make a difference. What does make a difference is using conductive gel. Nebulyft has its own conductive gel, but you can also get any of the conduction gels or ultrasound gels from Amazon. 

 

The purpose of RF gel isto help the device move over the skin, and it helps the tool to cover more of your skin’s surface. Before you use the gel, make sure the skin is cleansed. This gel from n=Nebulyft is water-based. They give you two with every single device purchased. You can also use this with other skincare devices as well. 

 

This gel is something that can be left on the skin. So, you don’t have to remove it when you’re done with treatment. You can even take the gel, and apply it to the skin and top it off with a night moisturizer or a sleep mask. If you want to add a retinoid to your routine, that will help with scarring, pigmentation, and acne too.

 

Nebulyft N1 Multipolar Micro-RF Anti-Aging Device 

 

This is the newer one, and it has titanium dots. Both of these Nebulyft devices can get the deep layer of the skin up to 105 or 107 degrees without making the skin feel hot( plus, our internal temperature is around 98.6). That has been Cassandra’s problem with the majority of at-home laser treatments. Other devices seem to get too hot, and you have to constantly move the probe. But, Nebulyft devices don’t. 

 

So, which one should you get? The R1 has five settings whereas the N1 one had three. Cassandra actually likes the R1 with three setting a lot better. The fewer settings, the easier it is for her to use and know what she’s doing. They both have a sensitive setting that Cassandra thinks is really good, and this setting doesn’t get quite as hot. Cassandra uses the intense one though, but it still doesn’t get overly hot or burn on the skin. If this is of concern, the Nebulyft device has a phone application that helps you monitor how hot it’s getting. 

 

The dots or probes on the Nebulyft devices do not heat the skin’s surface rather the radiowaves penetrate and disperse inside of the skin. 

 

How often can I use radiofrequency? 

 

You can use this every single day. You can even use it twice a day, and if you really want to get results, consistency is key. Radiofrequency medical studies have shown that results start to diminish after three months upon getting one medical radiofrequency treatment. So, they recommend coming in every 3 months for the best results. However, those treatments can cost 1500 to 2000 each. On the other hand, you can spend  $400 or $700 on a Nebulyft and get so many more many treatments out of it. 

 

After all, with radiofrequency, we’re training our skin to build back better. Radiofrequency is for lifting and toning, but remember, we still want to protect our skin with sunscreen and shade.

So, when you use it during the day, use sunscreen too.  Furthermore, although radiofrequency helps build collagen, having a good diet is beneficial too. Make sure you’re getting enough protein and vitamin C in your body. Diet is a building block your body is can use too for graceful aging.