Victoria BC: In aesthetic medicine, innovation, theory and adaptation often moves faster than fact. New devices promise dramatic results, clinics rush to adopt them, and marketing language quickly becomes saturated with the same familiar phrases: your best skin ever, erase wrinkles, reverse aging. What gets lost is nuance — and sometimes, safety.
Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a communication addressing potential side effects associated with radiofrequency (RF) microneedling devices. While this was not a ban or recall, it was a reminder: powerful technology requires thoughtful application.
The agency noted that its evaluation of these devices is ongoing, indicating a need for more data on the true frequency of complications. They believe side effects are actually being under reported.
This article isn’t meant to create panic. It’s meant to create clarity.
What Did the FDA Actually Say?
The FDA communication highlighted reported adverse events and side effecs related to RF microneedling, including:
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Burns and blistering
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Prolonged swelling and inflammation
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Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation
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Scarring and textural changes
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Nerve-related symptoms in rare cases
Importantly, these side effects were not attributed to RF microneedling as a concept — but rather to how, where, and by whom these devices are used. It may point to a bigger issue of misleading information and inadequate training when using the device.
In other words: the technology isn’t inherently unsafe. Misuse is.
Read Vogue: "How Safe is Radiofrequency Microneedling, Really?"
The Real Issue: Aggressive Technology in Inexperienced Hands
Over the past few years, device manufacturers — particularly in the RF microneedling space — have aggressively placed machines into clinics, med spas, and non-specialty environments. In some cases, providers received device specific training without broader training in skin biology, facial anatomy, or long-term tissue response before offering high-energy treatments on the face.
RF microneedling is not a “set it and forget it” procedure. It requires:
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A deep understanding of facial anatomy
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Knowledge of energy settings, needle depth, and tissue response
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Conservative decision-making based on skin type, age, and history
When these variables are ignored, the risk of complications rises sharply.
When ‘More Aggressive’ Becomes Counterproductive
One of the most concerning trends we see is the belief that stronger, deeper, hotter, and faster equals better results.
In reality, overly aggressive RF microneedling can:
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Trigger excessive inflammation
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Damage subcutaneous fat, leading to facial volume loss
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Create fibrosis or scarring that compromises skin quality long-term
Ironically, patients often seek RF microneedling to look younger — yet excessive treatments can contribute to a prematurely hollowed or aged appearance.
Skin does not respond well to trauma masquerading as treatment.
A Different Philosophy: Skin Health Over Shock Treatment
At our clinic, Glow Luxe, we’ve intentionally chosen a more measured, physiology-respecting approach. We call it Trinity.
Trinity is a proprietary 12-week skin regeneration protocol designed to deliver results without overwhelming the skin.
The Trinity Protocol:
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SkinPen® Microneedling (3 sessions)
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Venus Legacy™ Radiofrequency (3 sessions)
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Treatments alternate every 2 weeks
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Total: 6 treatments over 12 weeks
Rather than stacking multiple aggressive modalities into a single appointment, Trinity allows the skin to:
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Heal properly
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Build collagen gradually
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Improve tone, texture, and firmness without excessive inflammation
This approach aligns with what we know about skin biology: consistency outperforms intensity.
Why This Matters (Especially Long-Term)
Skin aging is not an event. It’s a process.
Treatments that respect that process tend to deliver:
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More natural-looking results
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Better skin quality over time
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Lower risk of complications
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Preservation of facial volume and integrity
Quick-fix, high-impact treatments may photograph well in the short term — but skin has a long memory, and the consequences of damage rarely stay hidden for long.
How to Choose a Treatment (and a Provider) Wisely
If you’re considering RF microneedling or any energy-based treatment, ask:
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What are the provider’s qualifications, training, and clinical background?
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How long have they been working with this specific technology?
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How is treatment intensity customized for your skin type, anatomy, and history?
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What protocols are in place if your skin responds unpredictably?
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Is the treatment plan focused on long-term skin health and integrity — not just short-term tightening?
A good provider won’t promise perfection. They’ll prioritize safety, education, and sustainability.
The Takeaway
The FDA’s communication isn’t a warning against innovation — it’s a reminder that how we use technology matters more than the technology itself.
Beautiful skin isn’t created through shock, fear, or extremes.
It’s created through:
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Thoughtful planning
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Respect for skin biology
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And a commitment to doing enough, not too much
If you’re curious about safer, smarter approaches to skin regeneration — or want to learn whether Trinity is right for you — we invite you to start with a conversation.
Because in aesthetics, restraint is often the most advanced technique of all.
FDA Safety Communication for radiofrequency Microneedling Safety