Morpheus8 Body
Offered at our convenient location in San Antonio, TX
Morpheus8 Body is a skin rejuvenation device that uses a combination of radiofrequency and microneedling to reduce the appearance of atrophic scars, mildly sagging skin, cellulite, and wrinkles on the body. Fine, sterile needles lightly penetrate the skin and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. These connective proteins provide natural structure, elasticity, and support promoting a smoother, more youthful glow to the skin. With Morpheus8 Body, you can invoke your skin’s natural healing process with a minimally invasive method that requires little to no downtime.
At Alluring Aesthetics, Dr. Wendie Grunberg utilizes the most advanced devices to help your skin to reveal your best self to the world. If you want to see what Morpheus8 can do for your blemishes and skin irregularities, call our San Antonio, Texas location at (210) 714-5390 or request a personal consultation through our online form.
Before and After Photos
Contents
About Microneedling Devices
At-home microneedling devices have become a popular facial rejuvenation option, but they are not nearly as effective as medical-grade devices. More microneedling devices have continually been developed, but Morpheus8 is one of the latest, most advanced available to doctors. Morpheus8 Body earned its FDA approval in 2020 and has been used widely by physicians around the globe.
The Science Behind Microneedling
Most microneedling devices have needles between 0.5 to 3 mm long; Morpheus8 Body’s needles can penetrate up to 7 mm, making it capable of treating cosmetic issues for thicker skin on the body. The needles, however, are only 0.1 to 0.25 mm in diameter, so they are ultra-fine. While under local or topical anesthesia, the needles cause controlled microinjuries. The skin then reacts through an increase in Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), critical for skin healing. During this inflammatory process, the skin produces more fibroblast cells that create connective proteins collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Most of the second layer of skin, the dermis, is made of fibroblast cells, so the device specifically targets this layer. The collagen produced by these cells is responsible for your skin’s rigidity and elastin contributes to its elasticity and “recoil” effect. These factors put together make for a comprehensive skin renewal that topical treatments and at-home devices just can’t provide.
What Does RF Energy Do in Morpheus8 Body Treatment?
RF energy directly affects collagen proteins- it causes contraction to provide a skin-tightening effect, as well as microinjuries to boost the two other proteins at the same time. (1) RF has also been shown to help break down fibrous septae, the bands that cause the skin to pull down in certain areas, creating cellulite. (2)
The action of the microneedles also breaks down atrophic scar tissue. Keep in mind that these types of scars cause an indentation, unlike hypertrophic scars which cause the skin to look raised. Regardless of the type of scar, the tissue within it has irregularly arranged collagen proteins. Instead of the lattice formation found in healthy skin, scar tissue has collagen in a parallel configuration. Microneedles break down this formation and enhance blood supply to the scar tissue, allowing the scar to gradually fade over time. (3)>
Benefits of Morpheus8 Body
Morpheus8 Bodyprovides you with the rejuvenation you desire to feel like your most attractive self. You can expect to see a reduction in:
- Atrophic scars
- Cellulite
- Fine wrinkles
- Mildly sagging skin and stretch marks
- Hyperpigmentation
- Skin texture irregularities
In addition, the procedure itself appeals to so many patients for a multitude of other reasons, besides cosmetic:
- It is minimally invasive
- It only requires 1 to 3 days of downtime
- The results can last up to 1 year
- Treatments last only 15 minutes to an hour
- Invokes your body’s natural healing mechanisms
Personal Consultation
A personal consultation with Dr. Grunberg will help clear up any doubts about whether Morpehus8 Body is right for you. During your consultation, you will get the chance to express your cosmetic issues and the improvements you would like to see. Dr. Gruberg will take a look through your medical history and get to know your expectations for the procedure. She will work to recommend another treatment if they believe Morpheus8 would not be beneficial for your individual case. To see more about other treatments we offer, glance through some of our blog posts. Call our office in San Antonio, Texas at (210) 714-5390 or schedule an appointment online, and we can help you start your skin healing journey.
Preparing for Morpheus8 Treatment
In the weeks leading up to your procedure, you should completely avoid sun tanning, spray tans, and tanning beds. Any semi-permanent substances on your skin can work against the Morpheus8 body treatment, and sun damage can open up your skin to the possibility of infection. Waxing and lasering should be off-limits for at least 2 weeks prior to Morpheus8 Body. Depending on the location of treatment, you may have to carefully shave the area the day before. Getting excess hair out of the way will allow the microneedles and RF energy to better penetrate into the dermis. Finally, we will require that you avoid taking blood-thinning medications and supplements to prevent excessive bleeding during your Morpheus8 Body treatment.
Procedure Steps
You will first receive numbing cream for the treatment area. This takes around one hour to fully take effect. After numbing, we will apply the handheld Morpheus8 body device to the target area(s) of your skin. The microneedles and RF energy will then gently penetrate the surface of the skin in one spot before moving to the next area. The needles will not cause the skin to bleed, but it will cause some redness. The procedure itself may take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes to complete, but the average duration of most Morpheus8 Body procedures is 30 minutes.
Recovery
Your skin’s healing occurs after the procedure itself, so following aftercare instructions carefully is incredibly important. For the first few days, you will have to keep the area clean with a mild soap refraining from exfoliating or scrubbing. It’s also important to keep yourself away from hot environments, and away from heat and/or sun exposure to prevent infection.
While it’s normal to expect redness, swelling, and irritation, this can be relieved with a fan or A/C unit and over-the-counter medications. We may provide you with a moisturizer and antibiotic ointment to promote healing and mitigate itchiness and dryness in the coming days. After about 3 days, you’ll likely be able to apply your usual skincare products, including sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more.
Cost of Morpheus8 Body in San Antonio, Texas
The cost of your Morpheus8 body treatment will largely depend on the size of your treatment area and the number of sessions you receive. Once you speak about aesthetic goals with Dr. Gronet or Dr. Grunberg through a personal consultation, they will be able to give you an estimate.
Experience the skin-enhancing benefits of Morpheus8 Body. Call our San Antonio office at (210) 714-5390 or complete our simple online inquiry form for more information about this service.
FAQ
What is the difference between Morpheus8 and Morpheus8 Body?
Morpheus8 is designed to be more effective for the thinner skin on the face, while Morpheus8 body distributes micro injuries and RF energy at a depth that is appropriate for the skin on the body.
How many Morpheus8 Body sessions are needed to see effective results?
Most patients receive the best results after at least 3 treatments of Morpheus8 body, with at least 4 weeks spaced in between each session.
When can I expect to see the results of Morpheus8 Body?
Some patients begin to feel the skin-tightening effects just one day after the treatment, but it typically takes patients 3 months to begin to see noticeable results. These results tend to last about one year.
Does Morpheus8 Body hurt?
When receiving a Morpheus8 Body treatment, most patients describe the warm RF energy sensations, but topical numbing cream makes the procedure more tolerable. During the recovery stage, patients often report redness, swelling, scabbing, and itchiness for up to 2 weeks. Over-the-counter medications can be used to make recovery easier.
What can help maintain the results of Morpheus8 Body?
By practicing good skincare habits such as using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more, eating healthy, staying hydrated, moisturizing daily, and avoiding smoking can all help your results stay longer. Consult a dermatologist for skincare tips that are unique to your skin.
References
- Alexiades M, Munavalli GS. Single Treatment Protocol With Microneedle Fractional Radiofrequency for Treatment of Body Skin Laxity and Fat Deposits. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2021;53(8):1026-1031. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.23397
- Busso M, Born T. Combined Monopolar Radiofrequency and Targeted Pressure Energy for the Treatment and Improvement of Cellulite Appearance on Multiple Body Parts. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. 2023;16(5):35-39. Accessed August 25, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10243725/
- Singh A, Yadav S. Microneedling: Advances and widening horizons. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016;7(4):244-254. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.185468.