XERF is the first multifrequency monopolar radiofrequency treatment, combining 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz simultaneously. The two frequencies reach different depths, which lets one session treat the superficial, middle and deep layers rather than one at a time.
That depth range includes the SMAS, the structural tissue layer addressed in surgical lifting.
What it treats
After significant weight loss
Laxity following major weight loss, including on GLP-1 medication, has a different profile to age-related laxity, because volume has usually been lost alongside it.
XERF addresses the tightening. It does not restore lost volume, so for the face it is generally paired with a biostimulator that rebuilds the collagen framework. For the body, significant loose skin after major weight loss may be beyond what any energy device can address, and that is worth discussing directly at consultation rather than discovering after a series.
The feedback loop
The system measures skin impedance continuously and adapts energy delivery during the session rather than running a preset. Three depth settings and ten intensity levels mean the treatment is calibrated to your skin as it goes.
Surface cooling runs at the same time as the energy is delivered, which is why no numbing is needed.
What a session is like
- Sensation
- Deep warmth with the surface kept cool. Most describe it as relaxing.
- Session length
- 30 to 60 minutes depending on the areas.
- Course
- Typically 3 to 4 sessions.
- Onset
- Tightening noticed at 4 to 8 weeks.
- Full result
- 3 to 6 months after a series.
- Downtime
- None. Mild flushing for an hour or two.
- Numbing
- Not needed. No needles.
- Skin tones
- All. Radiofrequency is not absorbed by melanin.
Skin may look slightly flushed and feel warm afterwards, similar to mild sun exposure, and that resolves within one to two hours.
Before, during and after
This is the protocol we follow. Open any of these to read it before booking, or again the week of your appointment.
Common questions
Is XERF safe for darker skin?
Yes, and it is among the most skin-tone-agnostic treatments available. Radiofrequency energy is not absorbed by melanin, so there is no mechanism equivalent to the post-inflammatory pigmentation risk that exists with lasers and peels. No extended pre-conditioning is required at any Fitzpatrick type.
Does it hurt?
No numbing is used because none is needed. The sensation is deep warmth while a cooling system keeps the skin surface comfortable throughout. Most people describe it as a warm, relaxing treatment.
How many sessions will I need?
Typically three to four. Results build gradually as collagen is produced and existing collagen contracts, with most people noticing tightening at four to eight weeks and full results from a series at three to six months.
What is the downtime?
None. Skin may look slightly flushed and feel warm for one to two hours. Avoid saunas, very hot showers and vigorous exercise for the rest of the day, then resume everything from day two. Normal skincare including retinoids can resume the same evening.
Can I have XERF if I have metal implants or a pacemaker?
No. Radiofrequency energy cannot be used over or near metal implants, surgical hardware, pacemakers or implanted electronic devices. Tell us about any of these before your appointment. Filler and implants in the area are different, and treatment is simply mapped around them.
Will it help loose skin after weight loss?
It addresses the tightening component but does not restore lost volume, and laxity after major weight loss usually involves both. For the face it is generally paired with a biostimulator. For the body, significant loose skin after major weight loss may be beyond what an energy device can achieve, which is worth establishing at consultation.
Does it conflict with other treatments?
No. XERF has no post-treatment window that rules out other services, which makes it straightforward to sequence alongside anything else in a plan.
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. It does not establish a physician-patient relationship, and it cannot account for your individual history, medications or skin. Suitability for treatment is decided at consultation following examination.