Hey love,
Let’s have an honest skin chat - just me and you, no pressure, no judgment, just facts and a little skin wisdom.
I know how tempting it is when you see words like “non-invasive facelift” or “tighten your skin in one session!” popping up all over social media and med spa menus. Devices like Morpheus8, RF microneedling, and plasma pens are being hyped as miracles. But before you sign that consent form, can we pause for a second?
As your esthetician-friend, I need you to know - if you're new to skin devices or unsure how they work, please don’t put heat on your face. Let me explain why.
Heat + Skin = A Risky Combo.
These devices work by heating up the deeper layers of your skin. The idea is to "stimulate collagen" and "tighten" - sounds great, right? But in reality, heat can damage the very structures that keep your face youthful, like your facial fat pads and collagen network. And once that damage is done? We can’t reverse it. I’ve seen this firsthand, and trust me, it’s not worth the gamble.
1. Your Facial Fat Pads? Heat Can Shrink Them.
Okay, so under our skin we all have these beautiful little pockets called facial fat pads - they’re what keep your cheeks lifted, your under-eyes smooth, and your whole face looking plump and youthful. They're gold.
But here’s the kicker: repeated heat (like with RF treatments) can actually melt or shrink those fat pads. Once they’re gone, they don’t come back. What does that mean? Think hollowed cheeks, sunken eyes, and sagging skin - the very things we’re all trying to avoid.
2. Collagen Can Break Down Instead of Building Up
We’re told these treatments “boost collagen,” but here’s the truth: collagen needs controlled stimulation to rebuild safely. Think microneedling, massage, red light therapy - all safe when done properly. But with heat, if it’s too deep or aggressive, it can actually damage or denature your collagen instead of rebuilding it.
So instead of firmer skin, you might end up with thinner, more fragile skin over time. That’s the exact opposite of the goal, right?
3. When You Mix Heat with Microneedling? Oof.
Microneedling alone is amazing. It helps soften fine lines, fade acne scars, evens out tone - all by waking up your skin’s natural repair system. But when heat is added into the equation (aka RF microneedling), the skin doesn’t always respond predictably.
I’ve seen cases of:
Burns that take weeks or months to heal.
Indentations or gashes where the skin just doesn’t regenerate well.
Scar tissue forming instead of fresh collagen.
And - scars are permanent. Once the damage is done, we can’t undo it with serums or facials.
4. Where Are the Long-Term Studies?
Here’s the truth behind the scenes: a lot of the “clinical studies” you’ll see on these devices are funded by the companies that make them. Independent, long-term research? Pretty scarce. If at all.
Dermatologists are raising red flags about side effects showing up months after treatment - things like:
Delayed fat loss.
Skin thinning.
Unpredictable healing or scarring.
So essentially, people are being treated like guinea pigs without really knowing the risks. And no matter how trained the provider is, the device itself can still do damage. That’s scary to me.
My Honest Advice?
If someone offered me RF microneedling or plasma for free? I’d still say no. Because no “tightening” is worth losing the natural support in my face or risking permanent scars. I’d take a few expression lines over hollow cheeks any day. Wrinkles are part of life. Collapsed fat pads and irreversible damage? That’s a whole different story.
So What Can You Do for Collagen + Glow?
Honestly? You don’t need heat to glow, to firm, or to age gracefully. There are safe and beautiful alternatives that truly work:
Microneedling (without heat!) - stimulates natural collagen safely. Use 0.25mm-0.5mm for the face.
LED light therapy - especially red light. It's been time tested and very safe and effective.
Facial yoga, massage and lymphatic drainage - supports circulation and lift.
Topical skincare with hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin C, Ceramides and Retinol - slow and steady wins the race.
Monthly AHA peels. Specifically with Glycolic acid. It helps stimulate collagen production.
SPF is a must - it's your best age-proofing ally.
One Last Thought - From My Esti Heart.
The beauty industry can be... intense. There’s pressure to “fix” yourself, to chase youth, to keep up. But I want you to know - you are not broken. Your skin isn’t a project. You deserve informed choices and real care, not fear-based marketing or unsafe promises.
You’re already radiant. Let’s support that, not risk it.
