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Research · RF microneedling

RF microneedling: what changed over four weeks

RF microneedling is widely used, but there is little data measuring day by day what actually happens to the skin afterwards. A study published in July followed 20 people for 28 days and recorded the process.

Summarised by the DermaColumn editorial team · 2026-08-06
This is not a column written by a doctor. It is a summary written by the editorial team after reading the paper below. The original is linked within this page. Columns written by named doctors are in the columns section.
Short-term efficacy and safety of 5MHz fractional microneedle radiofrequency for facial rejuvenation: a prospective study
Authors
Qiu H, Wu X, Wu Y et al. · Xu T (corresponding author)
Journal
Annals of Medicine 2026 Dec;58(1):2708398
Access
Open access
Original (DOI) ↗PubMed ↗Full text (PMC) ↗
In three lines
  1. Twenty participants received a single RF microneedling session and were measured at six time points over 28 days.
  2. Wrinkles and elasticity improved over time, while hydration fell immediately after the session and recovered gradually.
  3. Those with more severe baseline wrinkles improved more, and no serious adverse effects such as hyperpigmentation were reported.

Twenty participants, six time points

Twenty people with facial ageing received a single full-face session of RF microneedling. Skin was measured before treatment and at days 1, 4, 7, 14 and 28.

Measurement was instrumental rather than visual: hydration, elasticity, melanin and haemoglobin, alongside imaging analysis that quantifies wrinkles. Physician global assessment and patient satisfaction were added.

Each measure moved differently

Hydration fell immediately after treatment and recovered gradually. Creating microchannels lets water escape early on. That is why skin feels dry the day after.

Melanin held steady. Haemoglobin rose briefly then returned to baseline: the redness that appears for a few days and settles.

Elasticity improved meaningfully from early on and held to the end. Wrinkles improved steadily throughout the follow-up.

More severe wrinkles improved more

Those with more severe wrinkles at baseline improved more. Splitting by skin type or age produced no meaningful difference between groups.

That is, older participants did not improve less, and darker skin did not produce a different result. But these are subgroup analyses of 20 people, so each group is very small.

Reported side effects

Only transient redness and a burning sensation; no serious adverse events. No post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation was observed: the main concern when using energy devices on Asian skin, so this matters.

85% of participants reported being satisfied or very satisfied.

What this study does not answer

The investigators declared conflicts of interest.

The practical takeaway

What is usable here is what to expect at each point in time.

The first few days are drier, not better. Creating microchannels lets water out. Moisturiser and sun protection matter more than usual in this window.

Elasticity improved relatively early; wrinkles improved steadily across four weeks. Judging by the mirror the next morning is too soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is dry skin the day after normal?

Hydration fell right after treatment in this study and recovered gradually. It follows from creating microchannels. Pay more attention to moisturiser than usual.

When do results appear?

Elasticity improved relatively early and wrinkles improved steadily throughout. This study only followed to day 28.

Will it cause pigmentation?

No post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation was observed in this study, though it is 20 people at a single centre.

This summary is general medical information and does not replace a consultation. Figures are taken from the paper as published; interpretation may change as further research appears.