RF Microneedling in Raleigh, NC: Exion Face and Body for Deeper Collagen Renewal

Session Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Downtime:
2 to 3 days
Course:
3 to 4 sessions
FDA Cleared:
Yes
Pricing:
Call or email for a complimentary consultation to discuss pricing and session length
Exion RF microneedling handpiece being used along the jawline at The Haven in Raleigh, NC

Expert Wellness Care

Exion RF Microneedling in Raleigh

RF microneedling in Raleigh, NC combines fine needle penetration with radiofrequency energy delivered at depth, remodeling collagen in the dermis for firmer, smoother skin on both the face and the body. We treat clients from Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Apex and across the Triangle using the BTL Exion Face and Body platform. If topical products have stopped moving the needle, this works at a level they cannot reach.

The Haven Wellness Retreat runs the full BTL device platform, chosen by founder Jennifer L. so clients could access clinical grade results without injectables or surgery. Exion Face and Body treats a wide list of areas: full face, neck, lower face, eyes, forehead, lips, decolletage, hands, abdomen, flanks, thighs, buttock, arms, bra fat and knees.

Before and after Exion RF microneedling showing firmer smoother skin at The Haven in Raleigh, NC

The Challenge

When Laxity and Texture Call for RF Microneedling

Understanding Dermal Remodeling

The jawline is softer than it was, there is crepey skin on your neck, and your pores look larger in every photograph. Maybe it is acne scarring from years ago that never fully faded, or loose skin on your abdomen after weight loss. You have bought the serums and the retinol, and they have done something, but nothing that changes the underlying structure of the skin.
RF microneedling works below the surface. Fine needles create controlled micro injuries in the dermis and simultaneously deliver radiofrequency energy at a set depth, which drives a wound healing response and collagen remodeling. Reviews of radiofrequency microneedling report improvements in skin laxity, texture and scarring across a range of skin types. Downtime is two to three days of redness, and results build across three to four sessions.

Understanding Your Treatment

What Is RF Microneedling?

The Science of Fractional RF

RF microneedling is a fractional treatment in which an array of fine insulated needles penetrates to a controlled depth in the dermis and delivers radiofrequency energy at the needle tips. We use the BTL Exion Face and Body platform, which is FDA cleared. The combination of mechanical micro injury and controlled thermal energy is what distinguishes it from standard microneedling. The American Academy of Dermatology publishes guidance on cosmetic dermatologic procedures.

The mechanism is dermal remodeling. Because the needles are insulated along the shaft, energy is delivered at depth rather than at the epidermis, which reduces surface damage and pigmentation risk in darker skin types. The thermal injury triggers fibroblast activity, and new collagen and elastin deposit over the following weeks and months. Results build slowly. Clients wanting a gentler needle only option choose our BTL microneedling instead.

Treatment Timeline:

Treatment Time:
45 to 60 minutes (per session)
First Signs:
4 to 6 weeks (after first session)
Full Effect:
3 to 6 months (after the full course)
Recovery:
2 to 3 days (redness and swelling)

Treatment Areas

RF Microneedling Treatment Areas

Where Exion Face and Body Treats

Face and Jawline
Full face, lower face and jawline definition and firmness
Neck and Decolletage
Crepey texture and laxity across the neck and chest
Eyes and Forehead
Fine lines and texture in the delicate upper face areas
Abdomen and Flanks
Skin laxity across the midsection, including after weight loss
Arms and Thighs
Crepey skin on the upper arms, thighs, buttock and knees
Hands and Bra Fat
Crepey hands and the skin around the bra line

Benefits of RF Microneedling

Structural change, not surface

Works at Depth

Reaches the dermis where topical products cannot

Face and Body

Exion treats over a dozen areas from face to knees

Collagen Remodeling

Results continue building for months after the last session

Short Downtime

Two to three days of redness rather than weeks

No Injectables

Structural improvement with nothing injected into the skin

RF Microneedling vs Alternatives

How Exion RF microneedling compares with the other options for skin laxity, texture and scarring.

TreatmentMechanismTimeResultsDurationDowntimeBest For
RF MicroneedlingRF at controlled dermal depth45 to 60 min4 to 6 weeks12 months plus2 to 3 daysLaxity, texture and scarring
MicroneedlingNeedle only micro injury45 min4 to 6 weeks6 to 12 months1 to 2 daysGentler texture and scarring
EmfaceRF and muscle stimulation20 min2 to 3 sessions6 to 12 monthsNoneLift with zero downtime
Ablative laser resurfacingSurface tissue removal30 to 60 min2 to 4 weeksYears1 to 2 weeksDeep resurfacing
Topical retinoidsCell turnoverDaily8 to 12 weeksOngoingPeelingDaily maintenance

Is This Right for You

Who Is a Good Candidate for RF Microneedling?

Finding Your Structural Change

RF microneedling suits adults with mild to moderate skin laxity, uneven texture or scarring who can accommodate a short recovery window.

Ideal Candidates for RF Microneedling

  • Adults with mild to moderate laxity on the face, neck, abdomen, arms or thighs
  • People with acne scar treatment near me goals or uneven texture and enlarged pores
  • Clients across a range of skin tones, since insulated needles reduce pigmentation risk
  • Anyone who can tolerate two to three days of redness after each session
  • Clients willing to commit to a course of three to four sessions

Who Should Wait or Avoid RF Microneedling

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Isotretinoin use within the last six months
  • Active acne, infection, cold sore outbreak or open wounds in the treatment area
  • Cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators or other implanted electronic devices
  • A history of keloid scarring, or an active connective tissue or autoimmune skin condition

Significant laxity from major weight loss or advanced aging is often a surgical conversation rather than a device one, and we will tell you that at consultation. If you have a history of keloids or take isotretinoin, this is not the treatment for you right now.

Exion RF microneedling treatment in progress on the lower face at The Haven in Raleigh, NC

Your Experience

What Happens During RF Microneedling Treatment

Step by Step Process

  1. Numbing

    Topical anesthetic is applied to the treatment area and left for 30 to 45 minutes.

  2. Preparation

    The area is cleansed thoroughly and the Exion depth settings are chosen.

  3. Treatment

    The handpiece passes across the area delivering needles and RF at set depth.

  4. Soothing

    A calming serum and barrier product are applied to settle the treated skin.

  5. Aftercare

    You receive written aftercare covering sun, products and what to expect.

Risks and Side Effects

What to Know

Common RF Microneedling Side Effects

Redness and mild swelling for two to three days, a sandpaper like skin texture for around a week, pinpoint scabbing, and temporary dryness are the usual effects. These typically resolve within seven days. Some clients experience a grid pattern of small marks that fades over several days.

Rare Complications

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation is the most important risk, particularly in darker skin types, though insulated needles that spare the epidermis reduce it substantially compared with older devices. Infection, cold sore reactivation, prolonged erythema and, rarely, scarring are also documented. Treating over active acne or infection increases risk.

Safety and FDA Clearance

The Exion platform is FDA cleared, and we set needle depth and energy according to your skin type and the area treated. Isotretinoin within six months, keloid history, active infection and implanted electronic devices are all contraindications we screen for. Daily broad spectrum sunscreen after treatment is not optional. See the American Academy of Dermatology for wider guidance.

Investment

RF Microneedling Cost in Raleigh

Pricing and Payment Options

How Much Does RF Microneedling Cost in Raleigh?

Single RF microneedling sessions in this market generally run $600 to $1,200 depending on the area treated, with course pricing lowering the per session figure. Because results depend on completing a course of three to four sessions, we quote course pricing rather than a single session figure that understates the real investment. Body areas are priced differently to the face.

Course Pricing

  • Three to four session course - the standard protocol, spaced four to six weeks apart
  • Face, neck and decolletage - priced by area, with combined pricing when treated together
  • Body areas - abdomen, flanks, arms, thighs and knees priced by size
  • Maintenance sessions - annual top ups after a completed course

Flexible Payment Options

We accept all major cards and can split course payments. Pairing RF microneedling with Emface is a common combination and we will price the plan together. Exact pricing is confirmed at consultation.

The Haven Difference

Why Choose The Haven for RF Microneedling?

Jennifer L. invested in the Exion Face and Body platform rather than in a single area device, which is why we can treat everything here from the eye area right the way down to the knees.

The Haven runs no injectables at all, so RF microneedling is a core service rather than an add on hung off a filler menu, and it is quoted as the course it actually takes.

  • Exion Face and Body

    One platform covering well over a dozen areas, from the eyes and the lips to the abdomen and knees.

  • Needle Free Practice

    No injectables at all on our menu, so RF microneedling is a core service here and not an add on.

  • Two Microneedling Options

    Exion RF and BTL microneedling are both here, so the one you get actually fits the goal you have.

  • Honest Session Counts

    We quote the realistic three to four session course, rather than dangling a single teaser visit.

  • Works at Depth

    Radiofrequency energy delivered well below the surface, and not a treatment of the surface alone.

  • Aftercare Support

    Numbing beforehand, soothing afterwards, and written guidance for the whole recovery window.

BTL microneedling pen treating the cheek for collagen induction at The Haven in Raleigh, NC

Explore More Related Services

Experience the Microneedling Difference

BTL collagen induction therapy, a gentler needle only route with shorter downtime than RF.

  1. Short Downtime
  2. Uses Your Own Collagen
  3. Suits Most Skin Types

Explore More Related Services

Experience the Emsella Difference

Sit fully clothed while HIFEM technology contracts the pelvic floor thousands of times.

  1. Stay Fully Clothed
  2. Thousands of Kegels
  3. FDA Cleared

Explore More Related Services

Experience the Emface Difference

Synchronized radiofrequency and facial muscle stimulation, with no needles and no downtime.

  1. No Needles
  2. Twenty Minutes
  3. FDA Cleared

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About RF Microneedling

How much does RF microneedling cost in Raleigh?

Single sessions generally run $600 to $1,200 depending on the area, with course pricing lowering the per session figure. We quote the full three to four session course upfront, because a single session will not deliver a durable structural change. Body areas are priced separately to the face.

How long does RF microneedling last?

Results from a completed course typically hold beyond twelve months, with many clients booking an annual maintenance session. Collagen remodeling continues for three to six months after your final session, so the result you see at week six is not the final one. Our detailed article on this covers the timeline.

Does RF microneedling hurt?

Topical anesthetic is applied for 30 to 45 minutes beforehand, which makes the treatment tolerable for most clients. You will feel pressure and heat, and bonier areas such as the forehead and jawline are more sensitive. Most people describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful.

When will I see results from RF microneedling?

The first visible changes usually appear four to six weeks after your first session, once the initial redness has resolved and new collagen begins depositing. The full result develops over three to six months following a completed course. This treatment rewards patience rather than delivering an immediate effect.

How many RF microneedling sessions do I need?

Three to four sessions spaced four to six weeks apart is the standard course. More significant laxity or deeper acne scarring sometimes needs a fifth or sixth session. We assess at consultation and quote a realistic number rather than starting with one and adding as we go.

What is the difference between RF microneedling and standard microneedling?

Standard microneedling creates mechanical micro injury with needles alone. RF microneedling adds radiofrequency energy delivered at the needle tips, producing controlled thermal injury at depth. That makes it more effective for laxity and deeper scarring, with correspondingly more downtime. Our BTL microneedling page compares them directly.

Can men get RF microneedling?

Yes. Men book RF microneedling most often for jawline definition, acne scarring and texture. Male skin is generally thicker, which sometimes means slightly different depth settings, but the protocol, the downtime and the pricing are otherwise the same.

Is RF microneedling safe for darker skin tones?

Generally yes, and it is one of the reasons we use insulated needle technology. Because energy is delivered at depth rather than at the epidermis, the risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation is lower than with ablative resurfacing. Reviews specifically examining RF microneedling in skin of color support this, though careful settings still matter.

What is Exion and how does it relate to RF microneedling?

Exion is BTL's radiofrequency microneedling platform, and Exion Face and Body is the specific system we use. We lead with the generic term because that is what people search for, but the device on the page is Exion, treating everything from the eye area to the knees.

What is the downtime after RF microneedling?

Two to three days of redness and mild swelling, similar to a sunburn, followed by a sandpaper like texture for around a week. Most clients are comfortable in makeup by day three. Plan sessions so you are not attending anything significant in the 72 hours afterward.

Can I combine RF microneedling with other treatments at The Haven?

Yes. Emface and RF microneedling is our most common combination, since one addresses muscle tone and the other addresses skin structure. We sequence them across separate visits rather than stacking them, and our team will map out a schedule that spaces the recovery windows sensibly.

Will RF microneedling help loose skin on my abdomen?

For mild to moderate laxity, often yes, and the abdomen is one of the areas Exion Face and Body treats. For significant loose skin after major weight loss or pregnancy, a surgical consultation is the more honest answer, and we will say so at your consultation rather than selling you a course that cannot deliver.

References

  1. Tan et al., Dermatol Surg. (2021). Radiofrequency Microneedling: A Comprehensive and Critical Review. PMID: 33577211.
  2. Syder et al., Dermatol Surg. (2023). Radiofrequency and Radiofrequency Microneedling in Skin of Color: A Review of Usage, Safety, and Efficacy. PMID: 36826381.
  3. Alexiades et al., Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. (2023). Radiofrequency Microneedling. PMID: 37806682.
  4. Austin et al., Lasers Surg Med. (2022). Evaluating the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency for face and neck rejuvenation: A systematic review. PMID: 34923652.
  5. American Academy of Dermatology. (2024). Guidance on cosmetic dermatologic procedures, candidacy and recovery expectations.