Radiofrequency and facial fat loss: What you need to know about the risks in clinics and at home

In this video I'm returning to the difficult subject of facial fat loss linked to radiofrequency and other heat-based treatments. Following a viewer sharing her upsetting story of how she lost a dramatic amount of facial fat after using an at-home RF device, I looked within the industry to try to understand what can go wrong and how we can avoid it.
With my thanks to Zain Ali, director of EvenSkyn who agreed to be interviewed about this issue and help shed some light on why and how RF treatments can go wrong.
#radiofrequency

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
03:34 How does RF work on our skin?
07:12 Why do some clinical RF skin treatments cause unwanted side effects?
11:57 Is there a lack of training in the industry?
13:26 Are some people more susceptible to facial fat loss than others?
15:35 How could an at-home device melt facial fat?
20:40 What level of protection to better-known devices offer?
23:00 Industry regulation
24:46 Closing thoughts from me

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[AquaFrost]

After watching this, I'm contemplating using RF on my lower abdominal area to reduce my 'meno-pot'.

[ericafost]

I had a Morpheus 8 treatment. Your meant to take a course of 3 for optimum results but after 2 treatments I noticed facial fat loss where it wasn’t needed and also left some skin sagging where as before the treatment it looked fine. I also noticed more pigmentation on my skin even though I wear a high spf every day. A very expensive mistake. I have ordered the Adipeau which is my last hope. I’m looking forward to seeing your before and after results with Adipeau. You are definitely looking more youthful Claire and give me hope. Thanks for a great channel with good advice.

[farahb]

What an amazing interview!! Very informative. My mom is in her 50s and I got her the Lumo from evenskyn last year on Mother’s Day and she LOVES IT. Her face definitely looks tighter and healthier. I also got their face roller for myself and I love it.

[helenruffles]

What I experienced after using an at home RF device was significantly worse hyperpigmentation in the treated area. No retailer of these devices warns this is a possible side effect. Apparently the heat generated by the device causes inflammation which in turn leads to increased pigment. It would have been better to seek the views of an impartial expert about the risks of these devices as opposed to a manufacturer of one of these devices.

[surrendertoflow]

Thank you so much for putting this info out there. It’s so so important to try to empower consumers because the industry is certainly not educated/informed/truthful about this issue. I was a rare bird who had done no other beauty treatments and decided to try RF microneedling to preserve what I had. So the negative effect it had on me after one single treatment was very evident and there was only one culprit. I had done as much research as one could and this info just wasn’t out there at the time. I was told it was a “rare” issue with Ultherapy and wasn’t a risk with RF microneedling and there was nothing out there that I could find saying otherwise! I also had it done by an RN who had been doing it for 10 years. I don’t know how I could’ve done more research or gone to a more experienced person and I still suffered unexpected volume loss which has been extremely stressful and depressing. I went from not looking my age to looking older than my age overnight. Luckily, info started to come out from you and Dr. Rajani that clued me in to what was happening to my face. The MedSpa wanted to fix the issue with more aggressive treatments!!! If it hadn’t been for you two, I don’t know that I would’ve been able to turn them down because I was so desperate and vulnerable to their suggestions for what would help. Thank GOODNESS I knew enough at that point to not continue with more treatments! Please do keep putting this info out there to help save other people from suffering! I’m just starting my second bottle of Adipeau now which I would’ve never known about if I had not found your channel. I *think* I’m starting to see a difference. My eyes are the slowest to respond because there’s no fat there anymore to plump up! But I’m hopeful they will eventually catch up. I’m also going to do PRF gel injections (no fillers) under my eyes because they are so dreadfully hollowed out now. I’m wondering about the use of Adipeau with PRF gel injections…whether there’s a synergistic effect or if I should hold off on the cream for awhile when I get the injections.
Thank you again!

[melody.melody]

I've been using Tripollar Pose Rf device on my abdomen since 3-4 days and I'm already seeing a reduction in the fat. So there's a complete possibility that a tripollar for face may also cause fat loss on the face. Gotta be careful with this now.

[grs]

I hope this helps one person at least. I had Secret RF 18 months ago. I had purchased a package of 3 thinking it was the best I could do for my skin. For reference I was 67 and had beautiful skin. I just wanted more collagen and that was what I was told I would get. The next day after the first treatment I woke up so swollen and red I could hardly move my face and was that way for nearly a week. I called the clinic and was told redness and swelling was to be expected so I just did the best I could. Thank goodness I had retired from work so I didn't have to leave my house. For the next year I could not be in the sun for more than a half hour-with sunscreen on-I would get hives bad enough I could barely sleep. My barrier was broken, I had red spots where before I had smooth clear skin. And I swear my pores are bigger. I had to stop using Vitamin C and retinol-I could only use the most gentle skin care and mostly just vaseline. My skin is better now but still red in spots and not as smooth as before. As far as fat loss-who knows if I have a bit of loss from that or from age (now 69). I went back to the clinic a few months ago as they told me if I didn't complete the other treatments I would forfeit the rest of the money---$2400.00 I went in and pretty much raised a fuss. I got part of my money back. The physician admitted RF is not for everybody. Where were the warnings before? Looking back I would not have tried it of course--but mainly my outlook on my skin and aging is more acceptance of it. I use great skincare and sunscreen and that is now all I will do. I won't take a chance on my skin again. I can't wait to see what your final words and 3 month results are with Adipeau.

[TheMijas]

Hi Clare thanks for this interview. It's the director from Evenskyn though, so I imagine he wouldn't say anything against RF. 🙂 I have an at home device but I only use it once a month - I use glycerin and use it in each area for 4 minutes. I have a skin thermometer and check that the skin doesn't go above 40 degrees. It's tempting to use it at a high level in the eye area (the skin is much thinner and very little fat there) but you need to go right down to a low level and only do it for a minute or two. It gives a glow to the skin, definitely, I don't really notice anti-ageing effects (as in fine lines better) but I'm sure it's plumping. I'd certainly believe that they can cause some fat loss as I've seen and heard this too many times for it to be coincidental. I also had a clinical treatment and it was good, no issues with fat loss.

[GJL]

*RF is very good for muscle pain, to reduce several inches in the abdomen, thighs and other areas of the body. I have seen videos of some dermatologists not recommending RF for the face. I recommend ADIPEAU facial cream, is really great! Thanks for the interesting information*

[xxo]

I’ll also add on the issue of fat loss/sudden aging after cosmetic treatments that I had this happen after having hyaluronidaise or hylenex to dissolve horrible Filler that was pushed onto me by another clinic. I was afraid of this happening but I had no choice.

I noticed a significant worsening of my under eye bags and fat loss in my cheeks and worsening/development of my smile line area and jowels. I am learning to accept this new version of my face. I still get told I am good looking which is nice. But I can tell my face is different. Nothing I can do now I guess. We have to be really careful when messing with our appearance. Things can go very wrong very fast and you find yourself stuck with no real going back.

[SkinObsessedMary]

Another great video Clare, thank you. I also love the Lumo (all of Evenskyn's products actually) and this gives me an even greater confidence! Need to get that cream though...

[theabrescia]

Very good interview! Zain Ali gives helpful info. I have used the Lumo RF device for 6 months with favorable results. Am very pleased with EvenSkyn products.

[susanne]

After watching your video about Lumo and the doctor stating that a home device would not induce fat loss, I ordered the device a few weeks ago. Yet to be received. After reading these comments, I regret doing so. I have a very slim face so losing facial fat would not be a good thing for me. I wanted this device to "firm up" my jowls and neckline. I think I will try it on my front thighs first to see if fat loss does occur before using it anywhere on my face.

[xxo]

These precautions apply to IPL at home devices too. I had professional diode laser at high intensity every 6 weeks on my entire upper body for years and years with no issues and I did a few sessions of at home IPL in areas I didn’t have lasered and areas I wanted to touch up after years of no laser and I am left with clearly demarcated skin redness/flushing that is not improving over a month after the session. I am saddened but I know there is nothing I can do and this is permanent so I am trying not to be depressed about it. I have to accept that I damaged my skin. Be careful you guys

[superdance-kh]

After few months i delivered my baby i tried RF on my tummy area i realised for some days my tummy area will be bloated. Any idea why is it so?
But what im surprised was my red bumps/rashes on skin reduce alot. Cause whenever i eat certain foods like nuts, chocolate, egg plant, red meat, ham, brown rice, mushrooms etc..i will surely have reaction like red bumps appearing here and there on my body which can last me till next day or few days without antihistamine medicine. I've been living like this for many years...but didnt just want to rely totally on medicine so right now I'm still continuing my RF treatments & im thankful that "RF bipolar" help me improve my overall condition cause i do see results. Really need trained n ethical technician to handle not those that only want to make money & dont care their clients well being.

[carolpowell]

I’m sorry if I’m being negative about RF. I purchased the Rebecca RF about 2 yrs ago and used it at least 3x per week at 20 min per session. One day I was looking at pics I had taken about a yr before and noticed that my face looked plumper and fuller. I think RF made me lose fat in my cheeks and neck. I have stopped using RF and have been using skin boosters to regain fat levels in these areas. Buyer Beware!

[suzannehorton]

Thank you for a very information video.. its so helpful to people who are worried about fat loss in the face..I was told that by some cosmetic doctors that home gadgets for the skin. really are more a maintenance mode and are not that powerful to make a significant change in your face. only in clinic treatments will make a big change in your skin.. but in my experience, even the small skin gadgets at home can cause issues to the skin.. like facial fat loss.. i knew this years ago..but cosmetic doctors where telling me that it is not possible..yep.. i was told no facial fat loss by Ultheraphy. that's not true..

[lisabafundo]

Interesting and informative RF discussion. Nice work Claire, thank you for keeping your viewers educated😊👍as well as, seeking out answers, that's highly commendable. i haven't yet delved into home RF devices myself, i would speak with a trusted Dermatologist who do these types of treatments..for myself personally, I'd prefer to have it administered once or twice a year by the proffesial, rather than risk doing home treatments which inturn may come at a greater cost in the long run.

[snowbunnie]

This video could not have come at a better time! Just did so much research on my own but it’s hard to find!

[iks]

I am 40. Had 10 RF treatments in beauty salon (face) recently and didn't notice any fat loss or sagging. I can say that I am satisfied with results. The change is not dramatic, but my skin is for sure more firm, my eyelids are lifted, my jowls are more more defined. Before RF, I didn't have any other facial treatment, ever. My skin was OK, with initial signs of aging. I naturally have deeper nasolabial folds (they look same or minimally reduced after RF), mimic wrinkles on forehead (they did reduce about 30% I'd say), and my cheeks are naturally fleshy (not fat, but..a kind of face like of Kate Winslet).. So..saying shortly, my personal opinion is that RF is not a waste of money for those ones who expect moderate results, which means 20-30% better look of the skin than before. For all the others..rather choose a surgery.