Morpheus8 is a novel, minimally invasive rejuvenation and contouring technique that is used to treat a variety of common conditions including wrinkles, acne, stretch marks, and cellulite. The technology employed by Morpheus8 is among the first to combine traditional miconeedling with the delivery of radiofrequency energy to deeper skin layers.1 This combination stimulates the production of structural proteins normally found in deep layers of the skin including collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. The miconeedling component of Morpheus8 creates micro-punctures in the skin’s surface which stimulates the natural inflammatory and healing process. The radiofrequency component of this treatment delivers targeted heat to deeper skin layers leading to the robust formation of collagen, elastin, and blood vessels.
There are a number of reasons why people may choose to undergo this treatment. The applications of Morpheus8 are widespread and have been used to treat a variety of skin changes throughout the body. Some of the most common applications of this technology include those treatment of acne, stretch marks, arm or abdominal skin laxity, cellulite, tone discrepancies, large pores, and signs of facial aging including jowls and wrinkles.2 Patients bothered by a number of skin conditions (wrinkles, acne, stretch marks, texture or color discrepancies) who are looking for a non-invasive treatment option to enhance and rejuvenate may benefit from Morpheus8. Good candidates for this treatment include those in good physical health as well as those with realistic goals and expectations of treatment. Patients who may not be an ideal candidate for this treatment include those with severe skin laxity or wrinkles, as the treatment may not be as effective in these more advanced cases. Additionally, those with active skin infections or lesions may need to postpone treatment until treatment of these conditions.
Those who are undergoing Morpheus8 treatments are encouraged to avoid products that may irritate the skin (lotions, self-tanners, creams etc.) and direct sunlight for 1-2 days prior to treatment.1 Patients on anti-inflammatory medications such as Aspirin or Aleve should consult with their physician to determine if it is safe for them to discontinue these medications 1-2 days prior to treatment. These medications have a blood thinning effect and may lead to more bleeding during the procedure.
Treatment begins with the anesthetizing the treatment area. There are a number of anesthetic options and the optimal choice depends on a number of factors including the energy level used for treatment, depth of treatment, and patient tolerance. In many cases, providers will use a topical anesthetic applied 45 to 60 minutes prior to the procedure. In other cases, patients with a larger treatment area, low tolerance, or who require higher energy settings may require nerve blocks or local anesthesia. The provider will then determine the settings of the Morpheus8 device based on the desired treatment and begin applying the handpiece to the treatment areas. Cooling of the skin immediately post-procedure can reduce discomfort and erythema/edema.
Aftercare following treatment with Morpheus8 is relatively routine. Following treatment, antibiotic ointment is typically applied for 1 to 3 days post-procedure. During this time, patients should refrain from other topical agents (i.e., sunscreen, moisturizer, makeup). Once the microneedle holes close in about 1-3 days, topical agents may then be applied.1 The side effects of Morpheus8 are generally less based on the nature of the technology and the areas of treatment. After treatment, patients may experience temporary swelling, redness, itchiness/irritation, bleeding, bruising, or slight changes in skin pigmentation.
References
- Kreindel, M., & Mulholland, S. (2021). The Basic Science of Radiofrequency-Based Devices. In Enhanced Liposuction-New Perspectives and Techniques. IntechOpen.
- Dayan, E., Chia, C., Burns, A. J., & Theodorou, S. (2019). Adjustable depth fractional radiofrequency combined with bipolar radiofrequency: minimally invasive combination treatment for skin laxity. Aesthetic surgery journal, 39(Supplement_3), S112-S119.
