Our goal at Crescent Beach Care is to meet patients where they are and help them feel happy and confident in their bodies. This is why we offer a wide variety of medical and aesthetic treatments, including services like microneedling in St. Augustine.
We offer Exion RF microneedling—a revolutionary treatment that combines radiofrequency and traditional microneedling to enhance the benefits for your skin. Here, we’ll explain the details on how Exion RF microneedling works, what you can expect, and what you should know before undergoing treatment.
How It Works
Before going into the science of Exion microneedling in St. Augustine, it’s best to understand the basics of how your skin works.
Understanding Your Skin
Your skin protects you from external bacteria, pollution, chemicals, and other environmental factors. As your skin works to protect you, it can trap these pollutants and debris in your pores, which can accelerate the rate at which collagen and elastin break down. Collagen and elastin are proteins naturally made by our bodies, and they are responsible for repairing damage done to our skin and strengthening our skin’s cellular structure.
Typically, our bodies begin to produce less collagen by our mid-20s, and we are likely to produce 1% less collagen each year starting in our 40s. However, environmental and lifestyle factors can increase the rate at which that production declines, which can lead to premature signs of aging. The less collagen and elastin you produce, the deeper these aesthetic concerns can run in the various layers of your skin.
Understanding Exion
Exion microneedling in St. Augustine combines radiofrequency and traditional microneedling. The microneedles create micro-channels within your skin, making your skin believe it has been damaged. This stimulates your body’s natural healing response, which increases your natural production of collagen and elastin.
However, the revolutionary aspect of Exion is that it combines microneedling with radiofrequency. Radiofrequency delivers thermal energy into the micro-channels, tricking your body to believe the damage lies deeper within your skin. Because of this, your body will ramp up the collagen and elastin production even further, providing better strength and structure for more dramatic rejuvenation.
What Exion Treats
Exion has 2 applicators, one for the more delicate skin on your face and the other for the skin on areas of your body. Both are FDA-cleared to treat many issues within your skin, but each applicator targets your skin at different depths.
Face Applicator
The face applicators for Exion RF microneedling targets 0.5 to 2.5 mm deep in the skin. This may not seem like a lot, but that is because the skin on your face is much thinner and more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body. Also, Exion has the capability to target the subcutaneous fat under the skin. While this is helpful for pockets of stubborn fat all around the body, you want to keep most of the fat in your face because it helps maintain a youthful complexion.
Body Applicator
The body applicator reaches a depth of 1.5 to 4 mm into the skin. 4 mm is where the pain receptors are located in your skin, so the needles stop at this point to help keep your experience comfortable. At this depth, you’ll achieve the same skin rejuvenation results, but the radiofrequency from Exion also targets the subcutaneous fat under the skin. The heat damages the fat cells, causing your body to purge those cells and create a slimmer-looking figure.
This can be a lot of information, so here is a depth chart showing the effects of Exion microneedling in St. Augustine:
| Depth | What Exion Improves |
| 0.5 mm | Large pores, collagen production, wrinkles |
| 1.0 mm | Fine lines, large pores, shallow scars |
| 1.5 mm | Skin laxity, wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, stretch marks |
| 2.0 mm | Skin laxity, deeper wrinkles, acne scars, stretch marks |
| 2.5 mm | Hypertrophic scars, deeper wrinkles, acne scars, stretch marks |
| 3.0 mm | Large pores, fine lines, shallow and normal scars |
| 3.5 mm | Subcutaneous fat, scars |
| 4.0 mm | Subcutaneous fat |
The Needles
Often, the biggest concern for those who are experiencing Exion microneedling for the first time is the needles. However, the needles are uniquely designed to provide the most effective results while still maintaining a tolerable treatment process. There are 2 different types of needles:
Insulated Needles
Insulated needles only fire the thermal energy from radiofrequency at the base of the needle. The rest of the needle is protected by a thermal coating, protecting your skin from the heat.
Noninsulated Needle
These needles are not protected by a thermal coating, meaning that the thermal energy is fired through the entire needle. These are only good for lighter skin types, since heat can damage pigment, causing discoloration on darker skin tones.
Why Skin Type Matters
Skin type matters when it comes to receiving Exion microneedling in St. Augustine because it helps us determine whether to use insulated or noninsulated needles. Insulated needles are safe for all skin types, since they protect the skin from the levels of heat that would destroy melanin. However, noninsulated needles are only safe for skin types I and II on the Fitzpatrick scale. Since those skin types have little to no melanin, they can handle the heat that comes with treatment without the need to worry about hyperpigmentation.
The Fitzpatrick Scale
The Fitzpatrick scale is a way of measuring skin types based on the amount of melanin in the skin, and helps providers determine how skin will respond to UV radiation. Developed in 1975, this scale classifies different skin types on a scale from I to VI.
The Exion Process
For Exion RF microneedling in St. Augustine, you’ll work directly with our providers to discover how you can achieve transformational, lasting results. Here is what you can expect for the Exion process:
Consultation
Your first appointment will be an initial consultation with one of our providers. During this appointment, they’ll take the time to learn about your specific concerns and goals. They will also look at your skin and learn more about your medical history. Using this information, they’ll discuss your treatment options with you, working to create a customized treatment plan that addresses your aesthetic needs.
Treatment
After your consultation, your provider will schedule your appointment for Exion microneedling in St. Augustine. They will give you pre-care instructions to follow, which prepare your skin for treatment and support optimal results. To begin your appointment, your provider will cleanse your skin and then ask if you would like a topical numbing cream. While not necessary, we prioritize our patients comfort and offer the option for patients who may be nervous about pain or discomfort. Then, your provider will methodically run the Exion microneedling hand piece across your skin, expertly administering treatment to your areas of concern.
Results
Most patients will need about 3 sessions to see ideal results. However, once your full Exion series is completed, you can enjoy the improvements to your complexion for about a year. After this time frame, you can begin scheduling regular maintenance appointments to continue seeing smooth, beautiful skin.
Pre- and Post-Care
While your provider will customize your pre- and post-care instructions based on your unique skin needs, here is what you can expect to do before and after Exion RF microneedling in St. Augustine:
Pre-Care Instructions
- Shave the treatment area within 24 hours of your appointment. Exion can kill hair follicles, and shaving the treatment area will limit the damage done to your hair.
- Do not undergo other abrasive or exfoliating treatments for at least 4 weeks before your appointment.
- Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight for at least 1 week before your appointment. When going outside, wear a minimum of SPF 30 sunscreen in the treatment area, making sure to reapply every 2 hours.
- Keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine for at least 48 hours.
- The morning of your appointment, cleanse your skin with a gentle, hydrating cleanser.
Post-Care Instructions
- Do not apply sunscreen on your skin for 24 to 48 hours after your appointment. After this initial period of time has passed, apply a minimum of SPF 30 sunscreen to the treatment area when going outside for the next week, making sure to reapply every 2 hours.
- You may use your regular skincare products after treatments, but avoid those that are harsh or abrasive.
- Do not apply makeup to your skin for 24 to 48 hours after receiving treatment.
- Continue to avoid irritating or exfoliating treatments for another 4 weeks after receiving Exion microneedling in St. Augustine.
- Ensure your body stays hydrated after receiving treatment by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine for another 48 hours.
Find Your Solution
Our team at Crescent Beach Care is committed to helping you feel happy, healthy, and confident in your body. You can use our treatment planning tool to explore your options, or schedule an in-person consultation with one of our providers to see if Exion RF microneedling is the best option for your skin concerns.
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