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​Even to me, the skincare treatment trends can be super hard to keep up with.

Fractora is one of the new trending treatments for fine lines, acne scars, and skin laxity. The initial reviews are good. But you’re probably wondering, okay, how is this one different than microneedling or lasers or any of the other treatments for aging skin? 

I’ve also written elsewhere about how I’m pretty suspicious of radiofrequency — I’m going to talk about that too. But let’s get into the benefits of Fractora vs microneedling!

What is Fractora?

So, even though it sounds like it does a lot of the same things as microneedling, it’s different. 

Fractora uses a combination of radiofrequency and heat to create skin turnover. A Fractora treatment will have needles, just like a microneedling treatment. (If you want to get technical, it’s more like a dermastamp than a dermaroller.)

Fractora uses radiofrequency (RF) energy combined with microneedling to target multiple layers of the skin in a treatment area. It’s a cutting-edge technology designed to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, and skin texture while also tightening the skin. The procedure works by sending RF energy deep into the skin, creating gentle heat. This triggers collagen production in the treated area. 

Just like microneedling, this process encourages the skin to heal itself, which can result in a firmer, smoother, and more youthful appearance. The healing skin creates new collagen, improving skin tone and texture. 

So, within the treatment area, you’re getting skin improvements in three ways: from the needles, from the radio frequency, and from the heat. I can definitely see why people get significant results from this. 

Fractora is often used on the face, neck, and upper chest, but it can work anywhere. It is a versatile treatment suitable for a wide range of skin types and conditions, from acne scars to loose skin. 

Fractora’s unique technology combines microneedling with fractional radiofrequency energy. The microneedling aspect of the procedure involves using tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. During the healing process, collagen and elastin production are stimulated, leading to an improved skin texture.

The radio frequency energy is delivered via the microneedles deep into the skin layers. This energy heats the tissues beneath the surface, stimulating further collagen production. The combined effects of the needles and the RF energy make Fractora more potent than traditional microneedling, which only affects the top layers of the skin.

Benefits of Fractora vs Microneedling

Both Fractora and traditional microneedling are effective treatments for skin rejuvenation, but Fractora offers several advantages over basic microneedling. 

Deeper treatments. Unlike standard microneedling, which only reaches the upper layers of the skin (the epidermis), Fractora’s use of RF energy allows the treatment to reach deeper into the dermis. This deeper penetration stimulates more significant collagen production, providing more substantial and long-lasting results in skin tightening and wrinkle reduction. This means that you can get better visible results faster. One treatment of Fractora will give you more results than one microneedling treatment.

Better for skin tightening. Traditional microneedling focuses on resurfacing and improving the skin’s texture, but it doesn’t offer significant tightening effects. Fractora, by using RF energy, encourages tissue tightening at a deeper level. This can be particularly useful for individuals with sagging skin or loose areas they’d like to firm up. Microneedling, on the other hand, works well for stretch marks and crepey skin, but can’t be used for significant skin tightening. 

Customizable. Fractora is highly customizable, with different settings to treat various skin concerns. The energy levels and needle depth can be adjusted to suit the patient’s needs, targeting anything from mild texture issues to sun damage to deeper acne scars and wrinkles. This versatility makes it an ideal option for those with a range of skin concerns, unlike microneedling, which tends to offer more uniform results.

For acne, Fractora can actually reduce oil ​by acting on the oil glands! For someone with active acne, it might not be a good idea to get regular microneedling and spread bacteria. But Fractora can both treat acne scars and reduce the oil coming from your sebaceous glands!

What about cost, Fractora vs. microneedling? 

One of the most significant drawbacks of Fractora is its cost. Because it combines advanced RF technology with microneedling, the procedure is typically more expensive than traditional microneedling. Depending on the treatment area, Fractora might cost from $1,000 to $3,000. While this isn’t totally out of line with what a cosmetic procedure would typically cost, it’s a big expense!

So, while a single Fractora treatment might be more effective than a single microneedling treatment… You have to ask yourself, is $1,000 of Fractora as effective as $1,000 in microneedling? That’s 4-5 microneedling sessions, depending on where you live. 

(Or, if you do your microneedling yourself like I do, it might cost $80 in supplies for microneedling monthly for years!)

So this is worth taking seriously too: are radiofrequency treatments meeting a need that you can’t actually get from regular microneedling? I looked into Fractora and ultimately decided that I want to see how far I can take my home microneedling skin improvement before I decide to spend that much! (This is my answer for a lot of skin related questions, but I did opt to pay for Fraxel laser and I thought that was worth it!)

Risks of radiofrequency

Honestly, I’m going to sit out radiofrequency treatments for a few more years. There are reports of people losing facial volume/facial fat. There’s even a support group on Facebook!

It seems like this happens when people aren’t properly trained, so Fractora is probably a lot safer than a random machine at your local medspa. This is the result of the radiofrequency (not specifically from RF microneedling) being used too deep in the skin. 

I know a lot of people won’t agree with me on that! And maybe I’m too cautious on this stuff. But I would be pretty mad to spend that much money on something that made me look gaunt.

So what are you thinking: Fractora vs Microneedling?

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