Morpheus8

With today’s technology, patients don’t always need to go under the knife to get smoother, tighter skin. Our Morpheus8 treatments give our patients a way to tighten lax skin and turn back early signs of aging using nonsurgical radiofrequency microneedling.

At the Gillian Institute in Indianapolis, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kimberly Short offers Morpheus8 as part of her comprehensive menu of nonsurgical treatments that rejuvenate skin with little to no downtime. This device can give you a more defined jawline, fewer lines and wrinkles, a smoother complexion and firmer skin in just a few treatments.

What Is Morpheus8?

Morpheus8 is an FDA-cleared skin rejuvenation device that pairs traditional microneedling to rejuvenate the surface with radiofrequency energy that remodels and tightens tissue in deeper layers. Each of the tiny gold-plated insulated pins penetrates the facial skin up to 4mm and emits radiofrequency heat from the tip.

Combining both technologies allows us to address more concerns with one device, firming and smoothing the skin better than more superficial treatments can. Morpheus8 is also versatile enough to treat the face and the body.

How Does Morpheus8 Work?

The microchannels created by the pins on the Morpheus8 device prompt your body to start a healing process. Your body sends fibroblasts, which create new collagen, to close up the microchannels and renew the tissue. The radiofrequency energy also encourages your body to produce fresh collagen and elastin, both of which are needed for firm, youthful-looking skin.

Morpheus8 uses fractional technology, meaning the energy is delivered in a grid-like pattern rather than affecting the entire surface of the skin. Fractionated treatments help your skin heal more quickly because the tissue between the treated areas remains unaffected. We adjust both the needle depth and energy level based on your treatment area and concerns being treated.

What Areas Can Morpheus8 Treat?

One of the reasons we love Morpheus8 is its versatility. We can customize the treatment for concerns on the face, neck and body, and patients of all skin tones can be good candidates. Morpheus8 is commonly used to improve:

Loose or sagging skin along the jawline, lower face and neck
Fine lines and wrinkles around the forehead, mouth and eyes
Acne scars and other textural irregularities
Enlarged pores
Stretch marks
Crepey or lax skin on the abdomen, arms, thighs and knees

During your consultation, we will evaluate your skin and recommend a treatment plan built around the results you want to see.

Am I a Good Candidate for Morpheus8?

Morpheus8 is an option for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity who are looking for a device that provides visible tightening and a smoother texture but are not interested in surgery. Radiofrequency is often a better option than lasers for those with dark skin because it does not target melanin but stimulates collagen through heat instead.

We also look at other factors for candidacy, including your overall health and expectations for treatment results. You should not have any infections in the area or skin irritations. Patients with severe skin laxity may get better results from surgical procedures. However, Morpheus8 can even be used after surgery to improve the thickness and texture of the skin. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Short will let you know which options will provide you with the best results.

How Should I Prepare for Morpheus8?

As a nonsurgical procedure, you will have fewer preparation steps for Morpheus8 compared to surgery. You can help prepare your skin with a few simple steps:

One to Two Weeks Before Treatment

Avoid sun exposure, tanning and anything else that could irritate your skin or make it more sensitive. Pause any active products, like exfoliating acids and retinoids, unless Dr. Short says otherwise. To help avoid bleeding and bruising before and after your treatment, stop taking any unnecessary blood-thinning medications or supplements. Keep your body hydrated and maintain a gentle skincare routine so your skin is in good condition on the day of your treatment.

Day of Treatment

Come to our office with clean skin without any makeup or lotion on the areas we are treating. We will apply a topical numbing cream 30 to 45 minutes before the treatment to give it time to numb the skin. We also offer Pro-Nox, a patient-controlled anxiety and pain relief option. If we are treating a body area, wear loose, comfortable clothing.

What to Expect During Your Morpheus8 Treatment

Once your skin is numb, your provider will guide the Morpheus8 device across the area, treating in sections and focusing particularly on problem areas until the entire treatment zone has been treated. You can expect to feel some warmth and pressure, along with a gentle scratching sensation that is minimized by the topical numbing solution.

A full Morpheus8 session takes between 30 and 60 minutes. This will depend on the number and size of areas we are treating, as large areas naturally require more time. Once the treatment is finished, your skin will look flushed and feel warm. Your treatment plan may include platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which soothes the skin and helps it heal quickly, or other calming products.

What Is Recovery From Morpheus8 Like?

Recovery from Morpheus8 is quick, and you can return to your normal routines within a day or two. Your skin will move through several healing stages as your body responds.

First Few Days

Expect redness, warmth and mild swelling that resemble a sunburn. You may notice tiny pinpoint marks or a faint grid pattern where the needles entered the skin. During this time, you will want to be gentle with your skin, using products without any harsh ingredients or fragrances and avoiding sun exposure and sweat-inducing activities. You can use cool compresses to help with any swelling.

One to Two Weeks

After the first few days, redness will fade, and any swelling will go away. Your skin may feel dry or begin to flake as the surface renews itself, which is a sign that healing is underway. You may start to notice a smoother texture and an early glow during this stage, and you can usually return to your normal skincare and makeup routine once your provider gives the go-ahead.

One to Three Months

The most noticeable changes happen beneath the surface during this period. As your body continues producing collagen and elastin, your skin will become progressively firmer, smoother and more refreshed. This is when you will start to see tightening and texture improvements from Morpheus8.

How Long Do the Results From Morpheus8 Last?

The results of Morpheus8 last for 12 to 18 months, depending on your skin, lifestyle and the natural aging process. The best way to extend your results is to protect your skin from sun exposure and follow a consistent skincare routine. Because aging will continue after this treatment, you can consider periodic maintenance sessions to preserve your firmer, smoother skin.

FAQ

How much does Morpheus8 cost in Indianapolis?

The cost of Morpheus8 varies based on the number of areas treated and how many sessions are recommended for your goals. During your consultation at The Gillian Institute, you will receive a personalized estimate tailored to your treatment plan.

How many Morpheus8 sessions will I need?

It can take multiple treatments to get the results you are working toward. We often recommend a series of about three Morpheus8 sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. We will recommend the right number based on your concerns and the areas being treated.

Is Morpheus8 painful?

We have many tools to make our nonsurgical treatments as comfortable as possible. Topical numbing cream keeps the treatment tolerable, and you can use Pro-Nox whenever needed to make yourself more comfortable.

Can Morpheus8 be combined with other treatments?

Morpheus8 pairs well with other nonsurgical treatments offered at The Gillian Institute, such as Botox, dermal fillers or Ultherapy Prime. Dr. Short can design a combined plan to help you reach more comprehensive rejuvenation goals.

Is Morpheus8 safe for all skin tones?

Because Morpheus8 uses radiofrequency energy rather than light, it is considered safe and effective across a wide range of skin tones, including deeper complexions that may face risks with some laser-based treatments.

What is the difference between Morpheus8 and traditional microneedling?

Both treatments create controlled micro-injuries to stimulate collagen, but Morpheus8 adds radiofrequency energy that reaches deeper tissue. This allows it to address skin laxity along with texture, often producing more dramatic tightening.

Schedule Your Morpheus8 Consultation in Indianapolis

If you are ready for firmer, smoother and more refreshed skin without surgery, Morpheus8 at The Gillian Institute may be the answer. Dr. Kimberly Short and her experienced team will help you build a treatment plan designed around your goals.

Schedule your virtual consultation or in-person visit at our Indianapolis office today! Call 317-913-3260 to get started.

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