Radio Frequency Face & Body: Treatment Advice & Aftercare
Updated: 6 days ago
Before & After Your Radio Frequency Treatment
Radio Frequency (RF) is a non-invasive treatment that uses controlled radiofrequency energy to gently heat the tissues beneath the skin.
At Eco Skin Clinic, RF can be used on selected areas of the face and body to support firmer, smoother-looking skin and improve the appearance of skin laxity and body tone.
The treatment does not intentionally break the skin and normally requires little or no downtime.
Before Your Treatment
Very little preparation is required.
Before your appointment:
Keep normally hydrated.
Avoid excessive sun exposure and don't attend with sunburnt or significantly irritated skin.
Avoid strong exfoliation or treatments that have left the area sensitive immediately beforehand.
Tell us about any metal or electronic implants, particularly in or close to the treatment area.
Tell us about all medication you take and any significant medical conditions.
Let us know if you've recently had surgery or another advanced treatment in the area.
For facial RF, tell us about recent dermal fillers, skin boosters, polynucleotides, threads or other injectable treatments.
Let us know if your health, medication or skin has changed since your consultation.
Is Radio Frequency Suitable for Everyone?
Please tell your practitioner if you:
are pregnant or breastfeeding
have a pacemaker, defibrillator or another implanted electronic medical device
have metal implants in or close to the treatment area
have reduced or altered sensation in the area
have an active infection, open wound or significant skin inflammation
have a condition that affects normal healing
have a significant heart or circulatory condition
have recently had surgery in the treatment area
have recently had an injectable or advanced treatment in the area
are undergoing cancer treatment or have a significant current medical condition.
Not all of these automatically prevent treatment. Your practitioner will assess your individual circumstances and the area being treated.
Metal & Electronic Implants
Please tell us about all implanted electronic devices or metal close to the treatment area.
This can include:
pacemakers or defibrillators
implanted electronic devices
cochlear implants
facial plates or screws
joint replacements
other metal implants.
For body treatments, also tell us if you have an IUD/coil, surgical mesh or internal metalwork, particularly when treating the abdomen or pelvic area.
Whether treatment can safely be performed will depend on the implant and its location in relation to the treatment area.
What Does Radio Frequency Feel Like?
During treatment, the handpiece is moved across the skin while RF energy gradually warms the treatment area.
You should feel comfortable, controlled warmth.
Some areas may naturally feel warmer or more sensitive than others. Your practitioner will monitor your comfort throughout the treatment and adjust the intensity where necessary.
Please Tell Us If It Feels Too Hot
Radio Frequency should never feel painfully hot.
If you experience:
excessive heat
stinging
a sharp hot spot
burning
sudden discomfort
tell your practitioner immediately.
The RF intensity can be reduced rather than expecting you to tolerate excessive heat.
Risk of a Superficial Burn
As with treatments that use radiofrequency heating, there is a small risk of a superficial burn.
This is uncommon, but can occur if an area becomes excessively hot or the skin is particularly sensitive.
We reduce this risk by monitoring the skin and your comfort throughout treatment and adjusting the RF energy when necessary.
It is important to tell your practitioner immediately if the treatment feels too hot.
Facial Radio Frequency
When treating the face, you may notice warmth and temporary flushing.
Some clients can also experience unusual sensitivity around the teeth or areas with dental work during RF treatment. If you feel an uncomfortable sensation around your teeth, jaw or gums, tell your practitioner so the treatment can be adjusted.
For facial treatments, please also tell us if you have recently had:
dermal fillers
skin boosters
polynucleotides
anti-wrinkle injections
facial threads
facial surgery.
We may recommend leaving an appropriate interval before RF treatment.
Body Radio Frequency
Body RF can be used on selected areas where skin firmness and body tone are a concern.
During treatment you will feel progressive warmth across the area.
Some body areas naturally retain heat more readily than others, so your practitioner will continually monitor your comfort and adjust the treatment where required.
Tell us about previous surgery, scars, implants, mesh or reduced sensation in the area before treatment.
What to Expect Afterwards
Most clients experience little or no downtime.
Immediately afterwards the treated area may be:
warm
pink or flushed
mildly sensitive
slightly tender.
This should normally settle relatively quickly.
Occasionally the warmth or redness can last longer, particularly following a stronger treatment or in sensitive skin.
Aftercare
Following treatment:
Keep normally hydrated.
Treat the area gently if it feels sensitive.
Avoid excessive heat while the area remains warm or flushed.
Avoid saunas, steam rooms and very hot baths until the skin has settled.
Avoid aggressive exfoliation if the skin feels sensitive.
Avoid another intensive treatment over the area until it has completely settled.
Follow any specific homecare advice given by your practitioner.
You can usually return to your normal daily activities immediately.
Exercise
Normal activity can generally be resumed following RF.
If the treatment area remains particularly warm, flushed or sensitive, allow it to settle before strenuous exercise.
Makeup & Skincare
Following facial RF, makeup and normal skincare can generally be resumed because the skin hasn't intentionally been broken.
If your skin feels unusually hot or sensitive, keep your skincare simple and allow it to settle before applying potentially irritating active products.
Sun Protection
RF doesn't work by targeting pigment in the same way as a laser treatment, so the sun precautions aren't quite the same.
However, daily broad-spectrum SPF 30–50 is recommended for exposed areas as part of maintaining healthy skin, and you should avoid treating sunburnt or significantly heat-irritated skin.
When Should I Contact Eco Skin Clinic?
Temporary warmth and redness can be normal following RF.
Please contact us if you experience:
redness or heat that isn't settling
significant or increasing pain
persistent swelling
blistering or crusting
signs of a superficial burn
prolonged numbness or altered sensation
an unexpected skin reaction
any other symptom that concerns you.
If a superficial burn does occur, contact the clinic so we can assess the area and advise you on appropriate care.
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