I got a radiofrequency skin-tightening facial, here’s how it went
Image via @hudskinandbody/instagram
Words by Lara Daly
“I noticed my skin looking tighter, smoother and more even-toned. In South Korea, I believe they call it glass skin.”
As at-home facial devices and clinical skin treatments become more high-tech and accessible, it’s become increasingly hard to navigate. I get the same decision fatigue when I’m standing in the cracker aisle at the supermarket. I know the result I want (a vehicle for my cheese) but I don’t the best way to get there.
Skin wise, my goal is always the same: I want to look as snatched as possible, with minimal down-time. To edit down the options, I generally start by looking to South Korea. Thanks to my tapped-in Korean step-mum, I’ve known from a young age that if a skin treatment or skincare ingredient is popular over there (like snail mucin and salmon sperm facial injections), chances are it works.
For more skin treatment road tests, check out our Beauty section.
One of the most popular skin treatments in South Korea is radiofrequency skin-tightening, a non-surgical method of tightening your skin to look more ‘sculpted and youthful’. It goes by a few different names, but all involve using energy waves to heat the deep layer of your skin known as your dermis, which stimulates the production of collagen – more of this means firmer, tauter skin. From my research, it can help improve both skin texture and tone, everything from fine lines to large pores, acne scars to pigmentation.
I’ve also heard from Seoul-based beauty writer Jenny Jin that this is what all the K-Pop stars have done before red carpet events and performances. Leading up to the summer holidays, I wanted to do something extra to give myself a confidence boost, so I scheduled an appointment for a Viora radiofrequency facial treatment at HÜD Northcote Skin Clinic in Melbourne.
How does a Viora radiofrequency facial work?
Viora RF is a medical-grade device that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to target the deeper layers of the skin. This energy is converted into heat, which stimulates collagen production and enhances skin elasticity. The device features both fractional (ablative) and non-ablative RF modes, allowing it to treat different layers of the skin either individually or simultaneously. It’s suitable for all skin types and tones, and can be customised to treat various concerns such as sagging, fine lines, large pores, acne scars and pigmentation.
My Viora RF experience
My treatment at HÜD began with a thorough consultation with my dermal clinician, Tonaya. She cleansed my face and took some high-tech photos of it with a machine that analyses the skin for things like sun damage, wrinkles and hydration levels (a truly humbling experience). From there, we discussed my skin goals and what she would target. As the RF device has many different settings, this step is very important – it’s not a one-size-fits-all.
Tonaya applied a gel-like substance to my face, then began with the V-ST (skin-tightening) around my eyes to target fine lines, dark circles and help strengthen the thinner skin tissue. Then she did V-FR (fractional RF) over my full face to target my other concerns of pore size, texture and freckles.
As she ‘stamped’ the machine across my face, there was a slight crackling feeling when it zaps into my skin, combined with a little bit of heat. It’s not pleasant but it’s certainly not painful, and at least the Scandi spa-like setting made me feel relaxed and comfortable.
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Tonaya did a customised combination setting for me on different areas of my skin to target my specific concerns, increasing the depth and intensity over the mid cheek, where I have some atrophic scarring and more visible pores.
Once we were done with the RF, my skin felt hot and already a bit tighter. I then had a mild peel to target congestion, followed by a transepidermal hydrating sheet mask to cool down and reduce all of the inflammation. She sent me off with some relief cream in a little pottle to use over the next few days to help the healing process.
The results
It varies from person to person, but I did notice some grid-like pigmentation rise to the surface of my skin over the next few days, which is totally normal. It wasn’t super noticeable but it felt a little rough to the touch. This cleared after about five days, then I noticed my skin looking tighter, smoother and more even-toned. In South Korea, I believe they call it glass skin.
Would I do it again? Definitely. I really loved the results, but considering the cost of the treatment ($699 for a full face) I’d save it before a big event, like a wedding. Just do it at least five days before show time!
Like all cosmetic procedures, Viora RF should only be administered by trained medical doctors and dermal clinicians.
For more about radiofrequency facial treatments for skin, read this.
