SECRET RF MICRONEEDLING AFTERCARE

Your guide to safe recovery following Secret RF.

Secret RF combines fractional microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy delivered into targeted layers of the skin. This creates controlled mechanical and thermal stimulation designed to initiate collagen and elastin remodelling.

Following treatment, temporary inflammation is expected while the skin barrier and treated tissue recover.

Correct aftercare is important to support healing, minimise unnecessary irritation and protect your treatment outcome.

Typical visible downtime: approximately 2–5 days.

More intensive scar-remodelling treatments may require a longer recovery period. Individual responses vary.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TREATMENT

Your skin may appear red, flushed and mildly swollen.

It is normal to experience:

• Redness
• Warmth or a sunburn-like sensation
• Mild-to-moderate swelling
• Tenderness
• Tightness
• Pinpoint redness
• Mild pinpoint bleeding immediately following treatment
• Temporary raised areas
• Dry or rough-feeling skin
• Tiny pinpoint crusts during the following days

These responses should progressively improve as the skin recovers.

FIRST 24 HOURS

Treat your skin gently and avoid touching the treated area unnecessarily.

Always wash your hands before applying any recommended post-treatment products.

Do not rub, scratch or pick the skin.

CAN I WASH MY FACE?

Follow the specific cleansing instructions provided by your practitioner.

Once cleansing can resume:

• Use cool to lukewarm water
• Use a gentle cleanser
• Cleanse with clean hands only
• Avoid cleansing brushes and devices
• Do not scrub or exfoliate
• Pat dry gently with a clean towel

Avoid very hot water.

SKINCARE

During the initial recovery period, keep your routine simple and barrier-focused.

Use only gentle skincare or post-procedure products recommended by your practitioner.

Do not immediately restart your usual active skincare routine.

MAKEUP

Avoid makeup for at least 24 hours following treatment and longer if the skin remains significantly red, sensitive or compromised.

When makeup is resumed, ensure brushes, sponges and applicators are clean.

Never apply makeup over skin that appears raw, weeping or significantly irritated.

EXERCISE

Avoid strenuous exercise and excessive sweating for approximately 24–48 hours.

This includes:

• Gym workouts
• Running
• Hot yoga
• Intense cardio
• Activities causing significant facial sweating

Heat, sweat and friction can increase irritation while the skin barrier is recovering.

HEAT & WATER EXPOSURE

For approximately 48 hours, avoid:

• Saunas
• Steam rooms
• Spa baths
• Very hot showers
• Swimming pools
• Ocean swimming
• Excessive heat exposure

Secret RF has already created a controlled thermal response within the skin. Avoid adding unnecessary heat during the early inflammatory phase.

SUN EXPOSURE

Avoid unnecessary direct sun exposure while the skin is recovering.

Use broad-spectrum SPF 50+ once appropriate for the recovering skin and reapply according to product instructions and exposure.

A hat and shade provide additional physical protection.

Do not intentionally tan.

Sun protection is particularly important following an inflammatory procedure because UV exposure may increase the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in susceptible skin types.

DAYS 2–3

Redness and swelling should generally begin to reduce.

You may notice:

• Dryness
• Tightness
• Mild sensitivity
• Rough or sandpaper-like texture
• Pinpoint marks
• Tiny crusts
• Mild flaking

These can form part of the normal recovery process.

Do not exfoliate or attempt to remove the rough texture or crusting.

DAYS 3–5

The skin should progressively begin returning toward its usual appearance.

Tiny pinpoint crusts may still be visible and should be allowed to shed naturally.

Do not pick, scratch, scrub or manually remove them.

Following deeper or more intensive treatments, mild redness, dryness or sensitivity may persist beyond five days.

ACTIVE SKINCARE

Temporarily discontinue potentially irritating active ingredients, including:

• Retinol and prescription retinoids
• AHAs such as glycolic and lactic acid
• BHAs / salicylic acid
• Exfoliating toners and pads
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Physical scrubs
• Strong or acidic vitamin C formulations
• Other potentially irritating corrective products

As a general guide, these are usually withheld for approximately 5–7 days, or until the skin barrier has fully recovered.

Do not restart active skincare while the skin remains red, sensitive, peeling or crusted.

Reintroduce products gradually.

If your practitioner has given you a different timeframe, follow your individual instructions.

WHAT SHOULD I USE?

During recovery, keep your skincare uncomplicated.

Your practitioner may recommend:

Gentle cleanser
To cleanse without unnecessarily stripping or irritating the recovering skin.

Hydrating / barrier-supportive skincare
To support comfort and skin-barrier recovery.

Broad-spectrum SPF 50+
To protect the treated skin from UV exposure once appropriate.

Avoid introducing unfamiliar skincare products during the initial recovery period.

PINPOINT CRUSTING

Tiny dark or rough pinpoint areas can develop following RF microneedling.

These should gradually resolve as the epidermis recovers.

Do not pick or manually remove them.

Premature removal can increase the risk of:

• Prolonged redness
• Irritation
• Infection
• Post-inflammatory pigmentation
• Scarring

Allow all crusting to shed naturally.

SWELLING

Mild-to-moderate swelling may occur and is generally most noticeable during the first 24–48 hours.

Certain anatomical areas may swell more readily than others.

Swelling should progressively improve.

Do not aggressively massage swollen areas unless your practitioner has specifically instructed you to do so.

WHAT NOT TO DO

During recovery:

• Do not pick or scratch
• Do not remove crusting
• Do not exfoliate
• Do not use facial scrubs
• Do not use cleansing brushes
• Do not wax treated skin
• Do not use depilatory creams
• Do not intentionally tan
• Do not use at-home dermarollers or microneedling devices
• Do not aggressively massage the treated area
• Do not undergo another intensive skin procedure before recovery is complete

OTHER FACIAL & SKIN TREATMENTS

Avoid additional advanced procedures until the skin has adequately recovered.

This includes:

• Microneedling
• RF microneedling
• Chemical peels
• Laser treatments
• Fractional resurfacing
• Tixel
• Other RF procedures
• Dermaplaning
• Waxing

The appropriate interval depends on the procedure being considered and your individual recovery.

Contact VÉU before your next treatment if you are uncertain.

WHEN WILL MY SKIN LOOK NORMAL AGAIN?

For most clients, significant redness and swelling begin settling within approximately 24–72 hours.

Dryness, rough texture, pinpoint marks or mild crusting may remain for approximately 3–5 days.

More intensive treatments may occasionally produce visible recovery beyond this timeframe.

Your skin does not need to peel or crust heavily for Secret RF to have worked.

WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?

Secret RF results develop gradually.

Once the initial treatment response has settled, improvements in skin texture and quality may begin to become noticeable.

The primary collagen and elastin remodelling response continues over the following weeks and months.

When treating acne scarring, significant texture or laxity, improvement is generally progressive and a treatment course may be recommended.

WHAT IS NORMAL — AND WHAT ISN'T?

EXPECTED

Temporary redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, tightness, dryness, sensitivity, pinpoint marks and mild crusting may occur.

These reactions should generally improve progressively rather than become increasingly severe.

CONTACT VÉU IF YOU EXPERIENCE

• Increasing rather than improving pain
• Significant or rapidly increasing swelling
• Blistering
• Extensive weeping or discharge
• Increasing redness or heat after the expected initial inflammatory period
• Signs of infection
• A significant or rapidly worsening rash
• Unexpected or concerning pigmentation changes
• Crusting that appears unusual or is worsening
• Any reaction that concerns you

If you're uncertain about your recovery, contact VÉU and provide clear photographs in natural lighting, along with the date your treatment was performed.

For severe symptoms or a medical emergency, seek urgent medical attention.

YOUR SKIN IS REMODELLING

Secret RF intentionally creates controlled mechanical and thermal stimulation within the skin.

Although the visible recovery generally occurs over several days, collagen remodelling continues beneath the surface for considerably longer.