Firmer, smoother skin, built from your own collagen
Potenza by Cynosure pairs fine microneedles with radiofrequency energy to tighten, smooth texture, and soften scarring on the face, neck, and body. Most people need a series of three. Here's exactly what to expect, and what it costs.
Before and after one Potenza treatment. Individual results vary.
Microneedling, plus heat where it counts
Standard microneedling creates tiny channels in the skin and lets your wound-healing response do the rest. RF microneedling adds radiofrequency energy delivered through the needles into the dermis, which heats the tissue that actually holds your skin's structure.
That heat does two things: an immediate contraction of existing collagen, and a longer rebuild of new collagen and elastin over the following months. It's the second part that does most of the work, which is why results build slowly and why a series matters.
We use Potenza by Cynosure, which offers both monopolar and bipolar RF and multiple needle tips, so depth and energy can be set for your skin and your concern rather than one setting for everyone.
Why we chose Potenza
Not every RF microneedling device does the same thing. These are the features that change what we can treat and how precisely.
Different modes reach different depths, from surface texture to deeper laxity, in one device and often one session.
Semi-insulated needles spread energy across more tissue per pass, useful for tightening across larger areas.
Delivers a growth-factor product like Pure PDGF or PRF into the skin during treatment rather than only on top of it.
Needle depth is set zone by zone, so delicate under-eye skin and thicker body skin are treated differently.
Because it doesn't rely on light absorbed by pigment, it's suitable for many skin types that laser has to approach carefully.
Midnight-sun months included. You still need sunscreen afterward, but you don't have to wait for winter to start.
Three things happen in one pass
Fine needles create controlled micro-injuries, which signals the skin to start a repair response.
Radiofrequency heats the deeper layer, up to about 4 mm depending on the tip, causing immediate collagen contraction.
Over the next three to six months, new collagen and elastin form, gradually improving firmness, texture, and tone.
What to expect, week by week
Redness like a mild sunburn, warmth, and tightness. Most people are back at work the same or next day.
Skin looks fresher and smoother. Pores can look smaller. This is the surface, not the collagen yet.
Early tightening and tone improvement. This is also when your next session in the series lands.
New collagen has matured. Firmness, texture, and scarring show the most change after the full series.
Before and after
Shown for reference. Your results depend on your skin, your concern, and how many sessions you complete.
Individual results vary. See more in our gallery.
Face, neck, and body
- Fine lines and crepey texture
- Mild to moderate laxity along the jaw and neck
- Enlarged pores
- Acne scars and surgical scars
- Uneven texture and tone
- The under-eye area
- Stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs, and arms
- Crepey skin on the décolleté
- Loose skin after weight change
- Firming on the arms, knees, and abdomen
Potenza, SkinPen, or laser?
All three build collagen. They differ in how deep they work, how much they tighten, and how much downtime you're signing up for.
What pairs well with Potenza
RF microneedling works on skin quality and firmness. It doesn't relax muscles or replace lost volume, so the best results usually come from pairing it with the treatment that covers what it can't. We'll help you sequence them.
Platelet-derived growth factor applied through the micro-channels during treatment to support collagen and elastin production and recovery.
About Pure PDGF →Botox, Dysport, or Daxxify soften lines caused by movement, which RF can't touch. Together they address both the muscle and the skin over it.
About Botox →A collagen stimulator that rebuilds deeper volume gradually. Potenza firms the skin; Sculptra restores support underneath it.
About Sculptra →A gentle laser for pigment, sun damage, and surface tone. Potenza handles depth and firmness; LaseMD handles brightness and clarity.
About LaseMD Ultra →See October specials →
If your main concern is lines that show up when you move your face, Potenza alone won't fix them, and I'd rather tell you that at the consult than have you disappointed after three sessions.
Natasha Sherrill, FNP-C · Founder
About 90 minutes, start to finish
Potenza is performed by our licensed estheticians, Amy Kondi and Kassidy O'Connell.
We map your concerns and choose the tip, depth, RF mode, and any add-on like PDGF.
A topical numbing cream keeps the treatment comfortable. Most people feel warmth and pressure.
Each zone is treated at its own depth and energy setting.
You'll leave with post-care products and written instructions. Skip actives, heat, and hard workouts for about 72 hours.
Potenza RF microneedling pricing
Priced by area. Most people need a series of three for meaningful improvement; some need five or six, depending on the concern.
Purified growth factor to support collagen and elastin production.
Platelet-rich fibrin drawn from your own blood to support regeneration.
RF microneedling, answered
How many RF microneedling treatments will I need?
Most people need a series of three, spaced four to six weeks apart, to see meaningful improvement. Some need five or six, particularly for deeper acne scarring, stretch marks, or more noticeable laxity. We'll give you an honest estimate at your consultation. After your series, one or two maintenance sessions a year help hold the result.
Is RF microneedling painful?
With topical numbing applied 30 to 45 minutes beforehand, most people describe warmth and pressure rather than pain. Bonier areas like the forehead and jawline tend to feel more intense than the cheeks.
What's the downtime after Potenza?
Expect 24 to 48 hours of redness, similar to a mild sunburn. Most people return to work the next day. Avoid direct sun, strenuous exercise, and active ingredients like retinol and acids for about 72 hours.
Can RF microneedling be done year-round in Alaska?
Yes. Because RF doesn't depend on light absorbed by pigment, it can be done in summer as well as winter. Daily sunscreen afterward is still non-negotiable, especially with Anchorage's long summer days.
Can RF microneedling be combined with other treatments?
Yes, and it often should be. Pure PDGF can be added during the session to support healing and collagen. Neuromodulators like Botox, Dysport, or Daxxify handle movement lines that RF can't. Sculptra rebuilds deeper volume, and LaseMD Ultra addresses pigment and tone. We'll help you plan the order and spacing.
Who is a good candidate for RF microneedling?
Adults with fine lines, mild to moderate laxity, acne scars, enlarged pores, stretch marks, or uneven texture, across a wide range of skin tones. It isn't a substitute for surgery when laxity is significant. If you're curious about your skin type, our Fitzpatrick skin type quiz is a good starting point.
How is RF microneedling different from regular microneedling?
Standard microneedling, like SkinPen, relies on the needles alone. RF microneedling adds radiofrequency heat in the dermis, which produces more tightening and stronger scar improvement. SkinPen is gentler and less expensive, and a good choice when texture and glow are the main goals.
When will I see results?
Skin often looks fresher within one to two weeks. Tightening starts showing around four to six weeks. The biggest change shows three to six months after your final session, once new collagen has matured.
- A consultation is recommended before your first session to confirm candidacy and plan your series.
- Series pricing is for one treatment area. All prices and services are subject to change; see our full pricing page for current rates.
- Results vary between individuals. Nothing on this page is a treatment plan, a quote, or a guarantee of outcome. Information is educational and does not replace medical advice.
- Questions: (907) 921-4281 or hello@newagemedspa.com. 9500 Independence Drive, Suite 1000, Anchorage, AK 99507.
Start with a consultation
We'll tell you honestly how many sessions you're likely to need, and whether Potenza is the right fit.