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RF Microneedling in Covington, KYExion Radiofrequency Microneedling for Firmer, Smoother Skin

Treatment Time:
45-60 minutes
Downtime:
24-48 hours
Results Last:
12 months or more
FDA Cleared:
Yes, Exion RF
Patient receiving RF microneedling with the Exion applicator at Applegate Dentistry and MedSpa in Covington, KY

Advanced Skin Renewal

Why RF Microneedling Works Deeper

RF microneedling in Covington, KY reaches what creams cannot: rough texture, visible pores, fine lines and the soft dents left behind by old acne. Patients from Newport, Bellevue, Fort Wright and across Kenton County book it alongside our other skin treatments in Covington, KY.

Your treatment is planned and performed by Elizabeth Taylor, APRN, who built her career in acute care medicine and trained in aesthetics before joining Applegate Dentistry and MedSpa. She maps needle depth zone by zone, because the cheek, the temple and the jawline each need different settings to be both safe and effective.

Close view of uneven skin texture and enlarged pores before RF microneedling at Applegate MedSpa in Covington

The Challenge

The Texture Problem RF Microneedling Solves

Rough skin and open pores

Texture is the concern people notice in photographs and in the bathroom mirror at close range. Pores look wider than they did a decade ago. Makeup settles into small lines around the eyes and mouth. The shallow dips left behind by teenage acne catch side lighting and refuse to fade. Retinoids and facials work on the surface, and the surface is not where the problem lives. The change you want happens in the dermis, a few millimeters down, where collagen has thinned and lost its scaffolding.
Exion Fractional RF passes fine needles through the skin surface and releases radiofrequency energy at a controlled depth, so heat lands in the dermis instead of scorching the surface. That controlled injury signals the body to build new collagen and elastin over the following weeks. The same pass helps acne scarring soften, enlarged pores tighten and crepey areas firm, which is why a single protocol can treat several concerns at once.

Understanding the Technology

What Is RF Microneedling?

Radiofrequency delivered at depth

RF microneedling combines two technologies. Sterile microneedles create thousands of microchannels in the skin, and radiofrequency energy travels through those needles to heat the dermis underneath. We use Exion Fractional RF by BTL, a single pass system that sets needle depth and energy together, so settings can be tuned zone by zone.

Heat at depth is what separates this from needling alone. Controlled thermal injury in the dermis triggers new collagen and elastin, so skin firms and texture refines over weeks rather than overnight. Expect warmth and firm pressure during the session, then redness like mild sunburn for a day.

Treatment Timeline:

Treatment Time:
45 to 60 minutes
First Signs:
2 to 4 weeks
Full Effect:
3 to 6 months
Recovery:
24 to 48 hours

Your Visit

What Happens During Treatment

Start to finish in 90 minutes

  1. Consultation

    Elizabeth reviews your skin history, maps the treatment zones and sets needle depth per area.

  2. Numbing

    A topical anesthetic sits for about 30 minutes so the single pass stays comfortable.

  3. Treatment

    Elizabeth moves the Exion Fractional RF applicator across each zone in one controlled pass.

  4. Cooling

    Cool compresses and a calming serum settle the skin before you leave the room.

  5. Aftercare

    You go home with gentle cleanser, moisturizer and daily SPF instructions for one week.

What It Treats

Concerns RF Microneedling Addresses

Six reasons patients book it

Soft abstract background in magenta and plum tones used behind the RF microneedling treatment areas section

  • Acne Scarring

    Softens rolling and boxcar depressions left behind by acne

  • Enlarged Pores

    Tightens collagen around pore walls so openings look smaller

  • Fine Lines

    Smooths early lines around the eyes, mouth and forehead

  • Mild Laxity

    Firms early looseness along the cheeks, jawline and neck

  • Rough Texture

    Refines bumpy, uneven skin for a smoother makeup finish

  • Neck and Chest

    Treats crepey texture below the jawline and on the chest

Benefits of RF Microneedling

Collagen you build yourself

Your Own CollagenBuilds native collagen and elastin, no fillerMultiple ConcernsTexture, pores, fine lines and scarring in one protocolShort RecoveryRedness for 24 to 48 hours, mineral makeup the next dayAll Skin TonesRadiofrequency heats the dermis, not the pigmentLasting ResultsMost patients hold results for a year or longer

How RF Microneedling Compares

Four common ways to treat texture and laxity, and where Exion RF microneedling fits for Covington patients.

TreatmentMechanismSession TimeResults AppearResults LastDowntimeBest For
RF Microneedling with ExionNeedles deliver RF heat into the dermis45-60 minutes2-4 weeks12 months or more24-48 hoursTexture, pores, acne scars, mild laxity
Traditional MicroneedlingNeedles alone, no heat30-45 minutes4-6 weeks6-9 months12-24 hoursSurface texture and light scarring
Skin Tightening with ExionRadiofrequency plus ultrasound, no needles20-30 minutes3-4 weeks9-12 monthsNoneHydration and firmness without needles
Fractional CO2 LaserAblative laser removes columns of skin30-60 minutes2-3 weeks1-2 years5-10 daysDeep scarring and significant sun damage
Chemical PeelsAcid solution exfoliates the surface20-30 minutes1-2 weeks2-4 months3-7 daysTone, clarity and surface dullness

Candidacy

Who Is a Good Candidate for RF Microneedling?

Honest answers at consultation

The best candidates want better skin quality rather than a surgical lift. If your concern is texture, pore size, early fine lines and wrinkles or the soft dents left by acne, one protocol addresses all of it.

Ideal Candidates for RF Microneedling

  • Adults with rolling or boxcar acne scarring
  • Skin that reads rough or shiny with visible pores
  • Early crepiness on the cheeks, jawline or neck
  • Any Fitzpatrick skin type, because radiofrequency heats tissue without targeting pigment. A systematic review in Dermatologic Surgery found low complication rates in skin of color, and the American Academy of Dermatology reports microneedling is safe across all skin tones when a trained clinician performs it
  • Patients willing to complete four sessions and let collagen build

Who Should Wait or Choose Something Else

  • Active breakouts, cold sores or any infection in the treatment area
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • A pacemaker, defibrillator or other implanted electronic device
  • Isotretinoin use within the past six months
  • A personal history of keloid scarring

If needles are not for you, Skin Tightening with Exion is the needle free alternative: it pairs radiofrequency with targeted ultrasound at the skin surface, while this page describes radiofrequency delivered at depth through needles. Elizabeth will tell you honestly which one suits your skin.

Side Effects and Safety

What to watch for

Results You Can Expect

Real Results

Change shows up in stages. Skin looks brighter and feels smoother within two to four weeks of the first session, pores read tighter after the second, and acne scarring lifts noticeably by the third and fourth. The most dramatic comparison photos are taken three to six months after the final session, once collagen remodeling finishes. Results vary by individual.

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Exion RF Microneedling
BeforeAfter
Treatment Name:
Exion RF Microneedling

The Applegate Difference

Why Choose Applegate MedSpa for RF Microneedling in Covington, KY

Nurse practitioner led, science driven

Dr. Barry Applegate has worked on the face for more than three decades as a cosmetic dentist, and that anatomy background shapes how we plan depth near the jaw, chin and lips. Our nurse practitioner performs every treatment and adjusts settings zone by zone.

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  • Anatomy First Planning

    Facial depth mapped by a nurse practitioner led team before any pass

  • Full BTL Suite

    Exion sits beside Emface and Emsculpt Neo under one roof

  • Single Pass Comfort

    Numbing plus one controlled pass keeps sessions tolerable

  • Trusted Locally

    Rated 4.9 by 771 Google reviewers in Covington, KY

  • Nurse Practitioner Hands

    Elizabeth Taylor, APRN performs every pass and tunes settings zone by zone

  • Series of Four

    $500 per session, spaced four to six weeks apart

Pricing

RF Microneedling Cost in Covington, KY

Clear pricing, flexible payments

RF microneedling at Applegate Dentistry & MedSpa is $500 per session, and we recommend a series of four sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. Treating the neck or chest at the same visit is quoted at your consultation.

RF Microneedling Pricing in Covington, KY

  • Single session: $500
  • Recommended course: 4 sessions at $500 each
  • Maintenance: 1 to 2 sessions per year, $500 each

Flexible Payment Options

We want the plan to fit your budget, not the other way around.

  • Cherry Financing - monthly payment plans with a quick approval process and options for a range of credit profiles.
  • Major credit cards - accepted for a single session or a full series.
  • HSA and FSA - health spending account funds are accepted where your plan administrator allows the treatment, so check your plan first.

Prices reflect the Covington and greater Cincinnati market and include your numbing, aftercare products for the first week and follow up review.

Promotional pricing available at consultation. Call to schedule a free consult.

Patient receiving needle free Exion Face skin tightening along the jawline at Applegate MedSpa in Covington, KY

Related Treatment

Skin Tightening with Exion

Needle free radiofrequency and ultrasound that firms and rehydrates skin.

  1. No Needles
  2. Zero Downtime
  3. Natural Hydration
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Skin Resurfacing with Exion Clear RF

Smart microablation that refines tone, texture, pore size and clarity.

  1. Broad Skin Improvement
  2. Short Recovery
  3. No Needles
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Related Treatment

Emface

Needle free facial lifting

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  2. Zero Downtime
  3. Muscle and Skin
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Injectable onabotulinumtoxinA that relaxes the muscles behind your expression lines for a rested, natural look.

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Common Questions

RF Microneedling FAQ

How much does RF microneedling cost in Covington, KY?
RF microneedling is $500 per session at Applegate Dentistry and MedSpa. Most patients complete a series of four sessions. Your consultation is complimentary, and Cherry Financing can spread the series across monthly payments. Treating the neck or chest at the same visit is quoted once Elizabeth has assessed the area.
How long does an RF microneedling session take?
Plan on about 90 minutes at our Covington office. Topical numbing sits on the skin for roughly 30 minutes, the single pass treatment itself runs 45 to 60 minutes depending on how many zones we cover, and a short cooling period follows. You can drive yourself home and return to normal activity the same afternoon.
Does RF microneedling hurt?
Most patients describe pressure and heat rather than sharp pain. Strong topical numbing does most of the work, and the Exion applicator uses one controlled pass instead of repeated stamping, which keeps the session shorter. Bonier areas like the forehead and jawline feel more intense. Tell Elizabeth at any point and she adjusts depth and energy.
When will I see results?
Skin usually looks smoother and tighter within two to four weeks, as the first wave of new collagen forms. The bigger change shows three to six months after your final session, because collagen remodeling is slow by design. Acne scarring is the most patient concern of all and improves session by session rather than all at once.
How many sessions of RF microneedling do I need?
We recommend four sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. That spacing gives the dermis time to remodel between treatments instead of stacking inflammation. Deep or long standing acne scarring sometimes needs a fifth or sixth session. After the series, most patients keep results with one or two maintenance treatments a year.
How is this different from traditional microneedling?
Traditional microneedling uses needles alone to create a repair response in the upper skin. RF microneedling adds radiofrequency heat released from the needle tips into the dermis, which drives a stronger collagen and elastin response and helps with laxity, not only texture. Our guide to RF microneedling vs traditional microneedling breaks down the differences.
Is RF microneedling safe for darker skin tones?
Yes. Radiofrequency heats tissue by resistance rather than by targeting melanin, so the risk of pigment change is lower than with many lasers. Published reviews of radiofrequency microneedling in skin of color report low complication rates. Elizabeth still starts conservatively on Fitzpatrick types IV to VI and may recommend pretreatment for anyone prone to hyperpigmentation.
How long do the results last?
Most patients hold their improvement for a year or longer after a full series. The collagen you build is your own, so it ages at its usual pace from there. Sun protection, a retinoid at night and one or two maintenance sessions a year are what keep skin looking the way it did three months after treatment.
Can RF microneedling treat acne scars?
Yes, and it is one of the strongest reasons patients book it. Rolling and boxcar scars respond best because the heat rebuilds collagen under the depression and lifts the floor of the scar. Active breakouts are treated first, usually with Exion Clear RF skin resurfacing or a peel, before we start needling.
What is the downtime and how do I care for my skin afterward?
Expect redness and warmth like a sunburn for 24 to 48 hours, then a light flake around day three. Use a gentle cleanser, a plain moisturizer and daily SPF 30 or higher for a week. Skip retinoids, acids, hot yoga and saunas for five days. Mineral makeup is usually fine after 24 hours.
Location322 Greenup StCovington, KY, 41011Phone(859) 365-3300Emailinfo@applegatemedspa.com

Schedule Today Your RF Microneedling with Exion Consultation

References

  1. Tan MG et al., Dermatologic Surgery. (2021). Radiofrequency microneedling: a comprehensive and critical review reporting consistent gains in skin texture, acne scarring and laxity. PMID: 33577211.
  2. Hantash BM et al., Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. (2009). Bipolar fractional radiofrequency treatment induced neoelastogenesis and neocollagenesis in treated dermis. PMID: 19143021.
  3. Syder NC et al., Dermatologic Surgery. (2023). A review of radiofrequency and radiofrequency microneedling in skin of color found favorable safety and efficacy across darker Fitzpatrick types. PMID: 36826381.
  4. Elawar A et al., The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. (2018). Non-insulated fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment reduced depressed acne scars and pore size and improved skin texture. PMID: 30214666.
  5. Emam AAM et al., Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. (2022). Split-face comparative study of fractional Er:YAG laser versus microneedling radiofrequency in treatment of atrophic acne scars showed comparable improvement. PMID: 33721385.
  6. American Academy of Dermatology. (2024). Guidance on how microneedling fades scars and uneven tone, and why it should be performed by a trained clinician.
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