Morpheus8 Skin Tightening is defined as a sub-dermal adipose remodeling device (SARD) that utilizes the combination of fine needles with radio-frequency technology to remodel the skin’s building blocks and beyond. I use Morpheus8 to strategically target the skin and sub-dermal layer of the skin to stimulate collagen production while accomplishing skin tightening and tactical volumetric reduction by melting fat. The Morpheus8 micro pins penetrate 4mm deep into the skin which allows true contouring to occur by melting fat with skin tightening. There is little to no damage to the dermis with almost no patient downtime. Most patients experience mild redness and swelling for only a few hours after treatment.
The “fractional” nature of this advanced treatment platform allows us to strategically create thermal coagulation zones with a high degree of precision, leaving surrounding tissues completely unaffected. This accelerates the healing process while minimizing downtime. The radiofrequency energy heats tissues to temperatures that denature existing collagen, causing it to contract immediately, which produces that skin-tightening effect many patients notice. In the months following your treatment, new collagen is created (neocollagenesis), which leads to even greater improvements in the skin’s quality and texture.
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Am I a Good Candidate for Morpheus8 Skin Tightening?
Morpheus8 Skin Tightening can be used on any area of the skin that can benefit from skin rejuvenation. Notably, areas include all areas of the face and body that exhibit wrinkles, discoloration, or acne. The most commonly treated areas include the face, neck, and abdomen. Additionally, the Morpheus8 has colorblind technology and can be used on all skin types.
The versatility of Morpheus8 makes it effective for a very broad patient population. Patients with early signs of aging, such as fine lines, uneven texture or mild skin laxity, can all benefit significantly from this approach. Morpheus8 is also effective for acne scarring, stretch marks and uneven skin tones.
However, candidacy isn’t guaranteed. You should be in good overall health without active skin infections or inflammatory conditions around the treatment area. During your consultation, I will assess your skin quality, health history and more to ensure that Morpheus8 is a safe and effective option for you.
Baywatch Babe’s Morpheus8 Journey on CA Live
Donna D’Errico, star of the television hit series Baywatch, recently turned to my practice to improve her skin tone and texture. Although she looks great and takes care of her skin and body, she was seeking ways to maintain and improve her youthful and vibrant look. I suggested Morpheus8 as the best option available to achieve these goals. She was gracious enough to allow the world to share her experience through NBC’s California Live.
Morpheus8 Benefits
Fractionated RF or “radio-frequency” is energy is utilized in Morpheus8 skin treatments which have been scientifically proven to reduce wrinkles and tighten the skin envelope. The Morpheus8 treatment is minimally invasive, using a matrix of micro-pins to resurface and restore the skin, providing exceptional results with almost no patient downtime. Additionally, the treatment can be applied to depths up to 4 mm, with thermal effects extending up to 5 mm, hence strategic fat reduction can be achieved as well. This is typically done at the nasolabial folds, the under-chin fat, and jowls.
By targeting multiple tissue layers, Morpheus8 delivers comprehensive improvements across a wide range of common aesthetic concerns beyond fine lines. Patients consistently report improved skin texture, decreased pore size and improved facial contours after treatment. For those looking to address acne scarring, Morpheus8 breaks up fibrous scar tissue while stimulating collagen production to fill in depressions in the skin for a naturally smooth aesthetic. All the while, Morpheus8 leaves the superficial skin layer intact, allowing for faster healing and lower infection risk.
Morpheus8 Results
Visible results can be seen after a few days, although the most noticeable results appear 3 weeks following the treatment. Results will continue to improve up to 4 months after the procedure – and this is merely a factor of healing, and notably collagen remodeling, which takes time.
The progression of your results follows a predictable timeline that moves in lock-step with the biological processes taking place beneath the skin’s surface. Immediately after treatment, you might notice some initial tightening. This is the thermal effect causing existing collagen fibers to contract. Remember that this early change does not represent the full extent of your results.
During the first week, your body activates its inflammatory response. You may notice some slight redness and swelling as growth factors and fibroblasts work beneath the skin to repair the controlled damage caused by the treatment. By week two, the process of new collagen creation should be fully underway. As you progress through the third week, you should notice the first wave of significant improvement. Skin texture becomes more refined, fine lines soften and any treated hyperpigmentation begins to fade.
The most dramatic changes take place between months two and four as the collagen remodeling process hits its full stride. The new collagen fibers mature, cross-link and contract, producing a progressive tightening effect that enhances the skin’s texture and contours.
A single Morpheus8 treatment can produce results for a year or longer, though most patients achieve their desired results with multiple sessions. Age, skin quality, lifestyle habits and adherence to aftercare practices can all affect the quality and longevity of your results.
Procedure Walk-Through
When performing Morpheus8 Skin Tightening, a topical local anesthetic is applied to the skin for a period of 45 to 60 minutes prior to the treatment. Next, the Morpheus8 treatment ensues, addressing the areas of concern. Morpheus8 treatment times take under half hour under most circumstances. Following the treatment, the skin is washed and antibiotic ointment is applied followed by a proprietary GVMD skin enhancement cocktail. In many instances, Morpheus8 treatments are combined with VASER-assisted, FaceTite for optimal results.
During the treatment process, I work methodically across each treatment area while carefully observing your skin’s response. The immediate appearance of mild reddening and slight swelling indicates that the tissue has been appropriately heated. For areas requiring more aggressive treatment, I may make multiple passes, adjusting parameters as necessary to build thermal energy gradually rather than delivering excessive heat all at once.
Before you leave, we’ll review your post-treatment care instructions in detail so you can be confidently informed as to how to best preserve your results in the short term and long term. You’ll receive a specialized skincare protocol to use during the recovery window, designed to maximize healing and results. Most patients are comfortable driving themselves home, though you might prefer to have someone accompany you if you’ve had extensive treatment or if you are more sensitive to procedures.
Combining Morpheus8 With Other Treatments
While Morpheus8 delivers impressive results as a standalone treatment, combining it with complementary surgical and nonsurgical procedures allows for an even greater facial or body transformation. My approach to combination treatments is strategic; each modality addresses specific concerns that, when layered together, create synergistic benefits exceeding what any single treatment could achieve.
Morpheus8 and FaceTite
One of the most powerful combinations in my practice pairs Morpheus8 with FaceTite. FaceTite uses radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis (RFAL) to tighten skin and reduce fat through a minimally invasive approach that requires tiny puncture incisions. The internal and external electrodes create thermal energy that contracts tissue and liquefies fat cells.
When performed together, FaceTite addresses deeper structural laxity and larger fat deposits, while Morpheus8 refines the skin surface, improves texture and provides additional superficial tightening. This dual-layer approach treats everything from the subdermal fat down to the superficial dermis. Patients seeking significant improvement in jawline definition, neck contour or facial laxity particularly love this combination for its ability to sharpen contours and tighten skin that much more effectively. This pairing creates natural-looking results that develop progressively over the following months.
Morpheus8 and BodyTite
For body contouring concerns, BodyTite pairs exceptionally well with Morpheus8. BodyTite treats larger surface areas and deeper tissue layers, making it ideal for addressing skin laxity affecting the abdomen or arms, as well as body contouring applications. The addition of Morpheus8 enhances skin quality and provides additional superficial tightening that produces smoother, more refined results.
This combination is particularly effective for post-pregnancy patients who have both excess fat and compromised skin quality, or for people who’ve achieved significant weight loss and are dealing with more significant skin laxity. The BodyTite component reshapes the underlying contour, while Morpheus8 improves the skin’s texture and elasticity. Together, they deliver body contouring results that approach surgical-level outcomes without the extensive downtime or scarring.
Morpheus8 and VASER Liposuction
VASER-assisted liposuction removes targeted fat cells with ultrasonic energy, creating smoother results than traditional liposuction while causing less trauma to the treated tissue. When combined with Morpheus8, liposuction allows us to address both volume reduction and skin quality simultaneously. The VASER component sculpts your contours by removing unwanted fat deposits, while Morpheus8 promotes skin retraction and prevents the loose, crepey appearance that sometimes follows liposuction.
I often recommend this combination for patients who need significant fat reduction but have moderate skin laxity that might not retract adequately on its own. The radiofrequency energy delivered through Morpheus8 stimulates collagen production and tissue tightening that helps the skin conform to your new, sculpted contours. This is particularly relevant for areas like the abdomen, flanks and thighs where skin quality plays a crucial role in achieving smooth, natural-looking results.
Morpheus8 and Fraxel Laser
Fraxel laser treatments are particularly effective for resolving pigmentation issues, sun damage and surface-level blemishes through a process known as fractional photothermolysis. When paired with Morpheus8, these treatments target different tissue depths and concerns. Morpheus8 remodels the deeper dermal and subdermal structures, while Fraxel focuses on superficial pigmentation and fine surface texture.
This combination works particularly well for patients dealing with multiple signs of aging. Structural changes like loose skin and fine lines, as well as pigmentary concerns like sunspots and uneven tone, are effectively treated by Fraxel laser and Morpheus8. I typically perform these treatments several weeks apart to allow adequate healing between sessions.
Morpheus8 and Injectable Treatments
Combining Morpheus8 with injectables like Botox and dermal fillers enables me to more comprehensively rejuvenate the treated areas. Morpheus8 improves skin quality and provides structural tightening, while injectables dramatically reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles and volume loss. I typically recommend performing Morpheus8 first, waiting until initial healing is complete, then strategically placing injectables to enhance and refine the results.
This layered approach addresses signs of aging in a more well-rounded way for a more harmonious end result. Morpheus8 improves the canvas by enhancing skin quality and tightness, while injectables restore volume and soften expression lines. The combination produces naturally youthful results that look refreshed rather than “done.” Patients who invest in both typically require less filler volume since the improved skin quality from Morpheus8 provides better tissue support and foundation.
When planning combination treatments, timing and sequencing matter. Some procedures complement each other when performed during the same session, while others require spacing to allow adequate healing. During your consultation, I’ll design a well-balanced treatment plan to maximize results while allowing for appropriate healing intervals. The goal is always to achieve your aesthetic vision through the most efficient and effective combination of techniques available.
How Many Morpheus8 Treatments are Recommended?
Patients should expect to have anywhere from three to six treatment sessions depending on the condition of the skin and the results desired. Optimal results are usually seen after three treatments (although sometimes less treatments are required), and this is not a marketing gimmick, but rather a consequence of the ‘fractional’ nature of the treatment. Fractional treatments typically affect 20% of the surface area of the skin, so if we want to approach 100% of the skin surface (and undersurface) being treated wholly, we’re looking at 20% x 5 treatments. I normally spread my Morpheus8 Skin Tightening treatments four weeks apart to allow the skin ample time to heal. This may vary depending on the patient’s particular and unique healing cycle.
Morpheus8 Post-Procedure Care
Proper aftercare significantly impacts your immediate comfort as well as your long-term results. The micro-channels created during treatment remain open for several hours, creating a window for improved absorption of serums and other products. I provide specific post-treatment serums formulated to accelerate healing and enhance collagen production. Apply these as directed during the first week when your skin is most receptive.
The Morpheus8 treatment is performed as an outpatient and requires a topical anesthetic. Most patients admit to minimal pain, swelling, and redness following the procedure. Swelling tends to persist in areas where the skin is thinner, such as around the eyes. The entire Morpheus8 treatment takes about one hour to complete although this may vary depending on the extent of the treatment. Following the Morpheus8 treatment patients are instructed to avoid direct sun exposure for several weeks following the treatment. This lowers the risk of subsequent hyperpigmentation. It is advised that patients use broad-spectrum sunscreen and gentle moisturizer every day. Makeup may be applied 1-2 days after treatment, but no sooner.
Your specific aftercare instructions may vary according to your circumstances. Generally, patients are advised to avoid touching their face as much as possible for at least 24 hours after their last session. You can gently cleanse the skin with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and lukewarm water within 12 to 24 hours after treatment, but make sure to pat dry instead of rubbing or scrubbing the skin.
Sun protection is a non-negotiable during the recovery period and beyond. Your skin will be more vulnerable to UV damage soon after treatment, and unprotected UV exposure may trigger hyperpigmentation. You will also be instructed on skincare products or supplements to avoid. If you notice any concerning symptoms during this time, including significant swelling, increasing pain, or signs of infection, contact our office immediately. These complications are rare, but if they occur, a prompt response is crucial.
Get Glowing: Your Best Skin Is One Treatment Away
Ready to experience the transformative power of radiofrequency microneedling? Dr. Vallecillos and his team are here to guide you through every step of your Morpheus8 treatment. Contact our Beverly Hills office at (310) 273-3007 to schedule your consultation and discover how this cutting-edge technology can help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years have you been a practicing plastic surgeon?
My first year out of residency was in 2005.
Describe your philosophy and approach to cosmetic enhancement and treatment of patients
Philosophy: Superior advice predicated upon evidence-based medicine, innovative insight, and efficient execution.
Treatment goals: Create a natural appearing, balanced aesthetic enhancement that complements the patient’s unique features.
What’s most important to you when treating patients?
Comfort and security: We strive to achieve the ultimate customer experience. In surgery, much like professional sports, talent typically prevails. Championships however, are won by the teams who subscribe to organizational excellence. Accordingly, with good surgical planning and sound judgment, the majority of routine surgeries follow fairly predictable outcomes. Hence, customer service makes the experience complete. That’s what ultimately differentiates you as a surgeon from the masses. And that is our goal: to exceed our clients expectations.
What does a consultation with you entail?
Initially, patient information is gathered including photographs, salient medical history, and aesthetic goals. Next, I perform a comprehensive consultation utilizing videos and interactive patient education software. Following the consultation, the patient reviews the surgical procedure, peri-operative plans, and financials with the surgical consultant.
What steps does your office take to augment comfort?
We offer several features to augment comfort: A VIP waiting area, complimentary beverage menu, and Wi-Fi connectivity, and complementary usage of iPads.
How does Morpheus8 compare to surgical options like a facelift?
Morpheus8 and surgical facelifts address different degrees of aging and serve distinct patient groups. A facelift repositions sagging facial tissues, removes excess skin and provides dramatic, long-lasting correction of advanced laxity. Morpheus8 improves skin quality, creates modest tightening and refines texture without surgery.
Can Morpheus8 treat acne scars effectively?
Yes, Morpheus8 delivers significant improvement for most acne scar types. The deep penetration breaks up fibrous scar tissue while stimulating collagen production to fill depressed areas. Atrophic scars, characterized by indented marks left by inflammatory acne, respond particularly well to Morpheus8 treatment. The radiofrequency energy remodels the dermal architecture, gradually elevating depressed scars while smoothing the surrounding texture.
Is there an age limit for Morpheus8 treatment?
There’s no strict age limit for Morpheus8, though most patients fall between their late 20s and early 70s. Age may influence how the treatment is approached. Younger patients often seek Morpheus8 for acne scarring, texture concerns or early intervention against initial aging signs. Older patients use it to improve skin quality, address moderate laxity and maintain or enhance previous surgical results.
How soon before a special event should I have Morpheus8?
While this figure can vary slightly according to individual circumstances, it’s generally recommended to plan your Morpheus8 treatment at least four to six weeks before any important event. Initial redness and swelling typically resolve within a few days, but your skin continues refining and improving throughout the following weeks. Scheduling treatment a month or more in advance allows adequate time for any residual pinkness to fade and for the collagen remodeling process to produce visible improvements.
Does Morpheus8 hurt?
With proper topical anesthesia, most patients describe Morpheus8 as comfortable, reporting only mild pressure and warmth during treatment. The numbing cream applied 45 to 60 minutes before your procedure significantly minimizes discomfort. Some areas are naturally more sensitive (eyes, upper lip and jawline) and you might feel more sensation in these regions despite anesthesia.
Can men benefit from Morpheus8?
Absolutely. Morpheus8 delivers excellent results for male patients seeking to improve skin quality, reduce signs of aging or treat acne scarring. Men’s skin tends to be thicker with more robust collagen density, which often means they tolerate slightly more aggressive treatment parameters and can achieve dramatic results.