Visible results may be seen within just a few days after a Morpheus treatment, but most commonly patients will begin to see a difference after three weeks as new collagen begins to develop. Improvements will continue up to three months after a Morpheus treatment as increased collagen and elastin is formed.⁶ This new improved tissue is then subject to the natural effects of aging and will be affected by personal choices such as lifestyle, diet and skincare practices. How long it takes before an additional or “touch-up” Morpheus skin treatment is needed will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the clinician. It is common for patients to repeat the Morpheus8 procedure every 12-18 months, although for some treatment areas, the improvement may endure up to 3 years.

Both microneedling and Morpheus8 use needles to induce collagen production. However, the Morpheus treatment also includes the emission of radiofrequency energy from the needles into the layers of the skin causing a thermal injury that tightens the skin and creates a more dramatic wound response, increasing the production of skin-plumping factors such as collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid.⁷

Morpheus8 is a form of RF microneedling, but differs in some key areas from other RF microneedling devices. The Morpheus skin treatment is capable of reaching greater depths in the skin due to the 4mm length of the needles. This allows for the Morpheus8 to treat the body, where the skin and tissues are thicker, in addition to the face.⁸

Another aspect of the Morpheus8 technology that sets it apart from some other forms of RF microneedling is how the radiofrequency energy is released into the skin. A common delivery of RF in such devices is the emission of RF energy from the handpiece between adjacent rows of needle electrodes. This creates a coagulation zone in the vicinity of the needle end. The Morpheus8 system, on the other hand, releases the RF energy from the needle itself with the electrode applied to the skin surface. This allows for the treatment of multiple layers of the skin as the needles are retracted as well as greater protection of the epidermis.^9,10 These differences do not make Morpheus8 “better” than other RF devices, but it may be a more appropriate treatment for some patients and conditions. However, the greatest indicator of success for any esthetic modality is the experience and knowledge of the professional, and, as always, it’s best to consult with a trusted medical professional who can explain the appropriateness of a Morpheus skin treatment or other modalities for the treatment of a specific concern.

The needles on the treatment head of a Morpheus8 device are 4mm in length, capable of reaching past the dermis and connective tissue into the underlying fat layers. However, the Morpheus8 needle length is adjustable allowing the practitioner to target specific layers of the skin and tissues. Whatever the penetration depth used, a Morpheus skin treatment always includes the use of numbing creams or other forms of anaesthesia, which may differ depending upon the depth of treatment and the recommendations of the medical professional.¹¹ These precautions will minimize patient discomfort during treatment.

After a Morpheus skin treatment some redness and swelling in the treated area is common and some patients may also experience soreness. The use of ice packs immediately following the procedure is standard to reduce these side effects. Some patients may also notice a “grid pattern” in the skin from the Morpheus microneedling. These side effects generally self-resolve in a day or two, but longer duration is possible.¹² If these side effects are still present 2 weeks after a Morpheus treatment, it is advisable to contact the performing physician.

Both the Morpheus8 and Fractora are produced by InMode and both use bipolar, fractional radiofrequency, in other words, RF energy delivered in a loop pattern back to an electrode combined with microneedling. A Morpheus treatment is able to reach greater depths in the skin with its 4mm needles, while Fractora reaches a set depth with shorter needles. This difference accounts for the additional body treatments possible with Morpheus8.

A key difference in the technology between Morpheus8 and Fractora involves how the RF energy radiates through the skin. The Morpheus8 generates a “burst” of RF energy allowing it to treat multiple levels of the skin simultaneously. Fractora may also address different levels of the skin, but separately, which necessitates changing the treatment headpiece attachment and repeating the treatment.¹³ Depending upon the desired outcome, Morpheus8 or Fractora may be appropriate. The decision of which modality to pursue should be made in consulation with an experienced medical practitioner.

How many Morpheus skin treatment someone may need will vary case to case, but the usual recommendation is 1-3 Morpheus8 face treatment spaced roughly 4 to 6 weeks apart. A Morpheus 8 face treatment plan should be made in consultation with an experienced and trusted provider.

Acne scars present particular challenges in their treatment with many approaches such as lasers or facial fillers used for an improvement of their appearance. The central issue inherent in treating acne scars revolves around an excess or lack of collagen. As the wound of a deep, inflamed pustule begins to heal, there may be a “lag” of new collagen production, creating the development of a sunken depression, called an atrophic scar, in the skin. Conversely, the skin may overproduce collagen resulting in an elevated scar, called a hypertrophic scar. But within these two broad categories are many variations and skin types. There is currently no “perfect” treatment for acne scars and often the knowledge of the practitioner may outweigh a certain device. RF microneedling, such as Morpheus8, has been shown to improve the appearance of certain scars such as “boxcar” (U-shaped) and “rolling” (M-shaped), but delivers less improvement in “icepick” (V-shaped) scarring. Studies combining RF microneedling with other treatments, such as subcision and topical polyactic acid, suggest combination therapies may be preferable to standalone Morpheus8 in the treatment of certain categories of scarring.¹⁴

A central benefit of a Morpheus treatment is the unique technology that allows for the distribution of radiofrequency energy into the tissue below the skin. Like other RF devices such as Thermage®, the radiofrequency energy heats tissue to a degree that results in the destruction of targeted fat cells and the remodeling of collagen to target the deflation of soft tissue as seen in a jowl formation. But, unlike other solely RF devices, the Morpheus8 system combines this deeper activity with microneedling, creating additional collagen induction to improve the appearance and texture on the surface of the skin as well. The RF technology used in Morpheus8 treatment successfully addresses a significant treatment gap for candidates whose skin laxity is too mild for surgical intervention or who would prefer a non-invasive procedure.¹⁵