Everything XERF Can Treat: From Fine Lines to Skin Laxity

XERF is a non-invasive and FDA-cleared radiofrequency (RF) skin-tightening treatment that uses dual-frequency monopolar RF to heat multiple tissue depths. The RF energy can stimulate collagen production and lift the face and neck without the need for invasive surgeries.

Phoenix Skin is led by board-certified physicians and physician assistants who specialize in all areas of adult and pediatric medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. The team offers a variety of services that can enhance and improve your appearance and sense of well-being. Contact us online or call either of our offices in Phoenix or Scottsdale to explore more of our innovative and advanced skin treatments and determine which will best suit your needs.

What Can XERF Skin Tightening Treat?

XERF uses dual-frequency monopolar RF (6.78 MHz and 2 MHz) to heat multiple tissue depths simultaneously. 6.78 MHz targets the upper dermis, smoothing fine lines, and 2 MHz heats the deep structural skin near the SMAS layer. (1) It utilizes integrated cryogen cooling technology, which provides additional comfort throughout treatment, making anesthetics unnecessary.

Facial Concerns

XERF is known for its skin-tightening benefits, which are achieved through thermal energy contractions and triggering fibroblast activity to rebuild collagen and elastin. The dual-frequency energy provides two-phase results: immediate tightening and long-term remodeling.

Immediate tightening causes existing collagen fibers to contract right away when heated, creating a subtle and immediate lift visible on the same day. Long-term remodeling activates the cells to produce fresh collagen and elastin over the course of three months to create structural firming.

Not only can XERF tighten the skin, but it can also sharpen jawline and jowl definition, reduce early signs of skin laxity along the lower face and neck, restore midface firmness and contours, soften deep expression lines around the mouth and nose, minimize under-eye puffiness, and lift eyebrow skin laxity.

Body Concerns

Additionally, XERF can also tighten and firm loose skin and improve overall skin quality in body areas such as the abdomen, arms, and thighs. (2) In addressing the body, XERF targets chest lines, tightens skin laxity from weight shifts or pregnancy, smooths upper arm “bat wing” laxity, and refines stubborn and crepey areas on the legs.

Benefits

XERF treatments bring several advantages. Under the care of the Phoenix Skin experts, patients can improve skin appearance and textural through:

  • No numbing, needles, or incisions
  • Multi-depth targeting
  • Minimal recovery time
  • Immediate and progressive results
  • Versatility for most skin types
  • Built-in cooling features to enhance comfort

Candidates

If you are an adult who is experiencing mild-to-moderate looseness on the face, neck, jawline, decolletage, or others, you may be an ideal candidate for this skin tightening treatment. Because XERF does not target melanin, it can safely address a variety of different skin tones and qualities. To obtain the best outcomes, you must also be in relatively good health, free of any underlying skin conditions, and have realistic expectations for your results. (3) Patients with more significant skin laxity may be better served by a surgical procedure; XERF skin treatment is a natural-looking collagen stimulator rather than a permanent surgical adjustment.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, one of our surgical assistants will review your medical history and discuss your skin concerns. They will go into detail about your skin goals and the ideal appearance you wish to achieve, as well as explain the XERF treatment in great detail. Their goal is for you to feel knowledgeable and prepared to undergo your skin-tightening treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your skin, one of our skin experts will attentively address them during your meeting. Contact us online or call any of our offices to schedule your personal consultation.

Preparation

Effectively preparing your skin before XERF helps to make treatment more effective. Our team may advise you to:

  • Increase your water intake
  • Avoid certain skincare active ingredients ( such as retinoids and BHA’s)
  • Limit direct sun exposure and tanning beds
  • Arrive to your appointment with clean and makeup-free skin
  • Postpone Botox® or dermal filler injections for at least three weeks before and after treatment
  • Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption
  • Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements

Procedure

One of our licensed professionals will begin your procedure by cleaning your skin and applying a conductive gel to help the device glide over your face. Next, they will adjust the radiofrequency level on the handpiece to target a specific skin layer and concern. They will glide the XERF system handpiece over your face and neck, targeting each area of concern while it emits different energy frequencies to the upper dermis and deeper tissues. This will feel like a deep warming sensation, but cooling technology reduces the temperature on the outer skin layers to minimize discomfort. (4) They will repeat this process for about 30 to 60 minutes until they have addressed each area of concern. Lastly, they may apply a cooling gel to soothe the skin.

Recovery

XERF is a powerful treatment that does not require any significant downtime. Immediately after, you may notice mild redness, minor warmth, and skin flushing, which are completely normal and will subside with time.

As your skin heals, you must avoid saunas, steam rooms, and hot showers to prevent redness. You will also need to apply sunscreen daily and avoid certain skincare active ingredients like retinoids or abrasive exfoliants. However, you should continue to use a gentle cleanser and a hydrating moisturizer to protect your skin barrier.

Results

Your final results will appear gradually over the span of a couple of months, but you will be able to notice tighter skin as early as two weeks after your treatment.

  • Weeks 1-2: You will notice temporary tightening from initial tissue response, and slight swelling will begin to diminish.
  • Weeks 3-6: Early collagen remodeling will begin, and your skin will feel smoother and more refreshed.
  • Months 2-3: New collagen and elastin production will build and create visible firmness and contours.
  • Months 4-6: Peak collagen remodeling will occur, and your final results will deliver final lifted and toned results.

XERF results typically last 12 to 24 months. After this point, maintenance treatments can prolong the taut, rejuvenated appearance you’ve achieved.

Cost of XERF in Phoenix and Scottsdale

The total cost of your XERF treatment will vary depending on the severity of your skin laxity concerns, the size of your treatment areas, and the number of sessions you will need. One of our patient coordinators will provide a detailed cost outline during your personal consultation. Contact us online or call our office in Phoenix at (602) 222-9111 or Scottsdale at (480) 473-9111 to schedule your consultation and explore your XERF possibilities.

FAQ

Does XERF mainly tighten the skin?

Yes, XERF tightens the skin, but it also stimulates collagen and elastin production for long-term rejuvenation.

What are the benefits of XERF?

XERF is a non-surgical and non-invasive treatment that delivers radiofrequency heat to the upper dermis and deeper layers of the skin to enhance elasticity and increase skin firmness. Results appear as soon as two weeks after treatment, with noticeable improvements and refinements after a couple of months.

How much does XERF cost?

The cost of your XERF skin treatment varies depending on the severity of your skin laxity and textural concerns, whether you will pair it with other skin-enhancing treatments, and the amount of treatments you will need.

Are the results of XERF permanent?

No, the results from XERF are not permanent, but they are long-lasting. Effects often last anywhere between 12 and 24 months. After this time, we advise you to receive a maintenance treatment to rejuvenate your skin and prolong your results.

How does XERF differ from other skin-tightening treatments?

XERF targets multiple skin layers simultaneously, from shallow to deep structural layers, to enhance collagen and elastin production and tighten the tissues. Unlike other treatments, XERF produces an immediate lift and long-term refinements without needles, numbing, or downtime.

Can I pair my XERF treatment with any other procedures?

Certain patients can pair their XERF treatment with other procedures. A popular addition is microneedling, which improves skin health as XERF improves structure. During your consultation, our experts can help you explore which pairings will best suit your goals.

References

  1. XERF – Structural Skin Tightening Treatments – Cynosure Lutronic. Cynosure Lutronic. August 28, 2025. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://www.cynosure.com/xerf-treatment/
  2. Erlich G, Dahan E, Skorochod R, Wolf Y. Dual-Frequency Non-invasive Monopolar Radiofrequency for Periorbital Tightening: Introduction of Novel Small Treatment Tips. Cureus. Published online January 9, 2026. doi:10.7759/cureus.101187
  3. El-Domyati M, El-Ammawi TS, Medhat W, et al. Radiofrequency facial rejuvenation: Evidence-based effect. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2011;64(3):524-535. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2010.06.045
  4. Brito S, Baek M, Bin BH. Skin Structure, Physiology, and Pathology in Topical and Transdermal Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutics. 2024;16(11):1403-1403. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics16111403
  5. Milner SM. Skin Anatomy. Eplasty. 2023;23:QA8. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10373447/
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