Dr. John R. Burroughs and his team are proud to offer Morpheus Microneedling to patients in Colorado Springs, South Denver, Castle Rock, and the surround areas of Colorado.

CO2 Laser vs Morpheus Radio Frequency for Skin Resurfacing by Dr. John Burroughs

CO2 Laser vs Morpheus Radio Frequency for Skin Resurfacing by Dr. John Burroughs

What is Fractora or Morpheus Skin Resurfacing?

Fractora or Morpheus skin resurfacing delivers targeted bipolar radiofrequency energy to various depths in the skin. Fractora or Morpheus can meet and exceed the results of CO2 fractional laser skin resurfacing. Unlike CO2 treatments, it provides results with shorter downtime, less redness, and minimal pigmentation concerns.

Fractora or Morpheus skin resurfacing is a customizable treatment with different treatment tips for different depths or pin density. It also combines multiple settings to help personalize treatment for your concerns. This treatment can be used to treat a variety of concerns, ranging from superficial to deeper concerns, such as:

  • Acne scars
  • Active cystic acne
  • Deep or fine wrinkles
  • Hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone
  • Photo damage
  • Skin irregularities
  • Uneven skin texture
  • Displeasing fatty areas (e.g. jowls)

Fractora or Morpheus is most commonly used for treating the face and neck, but it can be used to treat other areas. Choosing this treatment method allows for diverse treatments that can be personalized to your concerns.

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Before and After Pictures

What Could I Expect from a Fractora or Morpheus Skin Resurfacing Procedure?

Fractora or Morpheus skin resurfacing treatments are performed in the comfort of our Colorado office. Just as treatment is customized for your unique skin and concerns, everyone’s treatment journey is different. The length of treatment will vary for each concern or area treated, and, while some concerns may be adequately addressed with just one session, a series of treatments may be required. However, the unique combination of different treatments saves the time and hassle of undergoing multiple treatments.

Morpheus is the latest generation of needle resurfacing. This is not microneedling, which only goes to about 2mm. Morpheus results are much more significant, and the treatments are more quickly performed. They are also more comfortable than the 1st generation Fractora. Fractora still serves a role and has a larger number of tips. Eventually Morpheus will offer treatments from the current 3-5 mm to 3mm to 9 mm of energy delivered depth for larger areas such as the abdomen, thighs, and other areas needing deeper energy penetration.

Unlike fractional CO2 laser treatments, there is no set downtime associated with this outpatient procedure but typically the skin appears good at 4-6 days. Cover-up makeup can be applied as early as the 2nd to 3rd day. While you should be able to return to your normal daily activities following treatment, it is important to take particular care of your skin. Our team will provide you with all pre and post-care instructions, but we recommend the use of products such as:

  • CE Ferulic
  • EltaMD® sunscreen
  • HA Intensifier
  • Renew Overnight Dry
  • Retinol 0.5
  • SkinCeuticals® cleanser
  • Triple Lipid Restore

It is important to have realistic goals and expectations for Fractora skin resurfacing treatment, and remember results will vary for each person, treatment area, and skin care concern.

Am I a Good Candidate for Radiofrequency Skin Resurfacing?

One of the most exciting things about Radiofrequency skin resurfacing is its ability to treat a variety of skin tones and types. It can be used to treat dark skin tones and, unlike other treatment options like fractional CO2 laser treatments, has a much lower risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

The best way to ensure if this is the best treatment option for you and your goals is a consultation with Dr. Burroughs and his team in Colorado Springs. As this non-surgical, non-invasive treatment option can treat a variety of concerns, it may be a good choice for you to effectively and efficiently multiple concerns with one treatment.

Does Radiofrequency Resurfacing Hurt & Does It Work?

It generally is not very uncomfortable once appropriate anesthetic topical and/or injections have been applied. Patients may elect to use Pro-Nox nitrous oxide during treatments, and receive oral sedation. It certainly works well to both tighten the skin, target unwanted superficial fat, help with dyspigmentation, help wrinkles, and improve skin texture.

How Much Does Laser Radiofrequency Resurfacing Cost?

The cost of Radiofrequency skin resurfacing is determined on a patient-by-patient basis depending upon the number of treatments required, and the number and extent of the areas. Springs Aesthetics offers multiple payment options, including financing through CareCredit® and Alphaeon®. Dr. Burroughs will discuss your payment options during your consultation.

Are There Any Precautions?

Patients that have indwelling electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker) should not have radiofrequency treatments. For facial treatments, we also have you take antivirals to avoid a shingles outbreak of the face that could cause poor healing and even scarring.

Why Should I Get Facial Radiofrequency Resurfacing?

As our body ages, our skin fails to resist the effects of the sun, gravity, acne scarring, aging, and to all our daily facial expressions. These factors cause deep lines and wrinkles that age our appearance even more than we actually feel. CO2 laser skin resurfacing can help vaporize the damaged outer layers of skin to improve fine lines/wrinkles and tighten the skin helping with deeper folds.

What Can Boost The Radiofrequency Resurfacing Results?

The results can be boosted with topical and/or injected PRP. PRP is your own blood platelets, which have been concentrated to yield the most beneficial growth factors. This can facilitate and boost the production of collagen and elastin. Some patients benefit from combined photofacial IPL treatments and radiofrequency resurfacing.

How Does Radiofrequency Skin Resurfacing Work?

The Radiofrequency can remove layers of damaged skin, which triggers the regeneration of collagen and the overlying healthy skin above. This procedure is also great for people who have facial scarring, sun damage, benign lesions, precancerous spots, active acne, or uneven skin pigmentation.

How Are The Treatments Done and What Areas Can Be Treated?

This treatment can be performed all over your face, or on targeted areas, such as around the eyes, mouth, neck, décolleté, arms, and hands.

For more superficial treatments, topical anesthetic may be all that is required. Before more aggressive treatments, the face may be injected with a numbing nerve block, and in certain situations, we also give an oral medication to relax you. On the hands, topical anesthetic may be applied as well as a cryo zimmer unit. We also have Pro-Nox nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for those who wish to be even further relaxed.

This procedure is done in three separate treatments spaced 1-2 months apart. The results keep improving up to a year. The results can last 2-3 years with proper skin care maintenance and sun protection. Some patients benefit with a single annual treatment following their series to maximally maintain their results.

What Is Recovery Like and How Do I Take Care Of The Treated Areas?

Recovery time, although different for everyone, but typically only 4-5 days compared to 7-10 for laser. The first few days being the most crucial while the treated areas heal and new layers of healthy skin appear. There may be mild redness and swelling, as well as shedding of micro-scabs.

Use of Hydrabalm, Vaseline, or Aquaphor four to six times a day to the treated areas is important until the tiny micro-scabls have “shedded” and the new skin is seen.

A detailed list of post-treatment instructions will be provided, as well as any prescriptions needed. This procedure is very safe and effective. Results can last for several years and is best achieved by utilizing medical grade skincare.

CO2 laser progression

For more than 20 years, Dr. John Burroughs has helped men and women in Florida, Utah, Colorado Springs, South Denver, Castle Rock and other areas of Colorado, as well as internationally, by providing exceptional care in plastic surgery and eyelid surgery. At his practice, he also offers medical spa treatments that are performed by his aestheticians to complement surgical results and speed healing. To learn more about laser skin resurfacing with Fractora or Morpheus, contact us today to schedule a consultation.