Sylfirm X

WHY IS SYLFIRM X EXCITING?

As well as its innovative dual wave technology, what sets Sylfirm X apart is its ability to treat tricky skin concerns such as melasma and rosacea. Plus, it does so with very minimal downtime and it has multiple customisable modes for targeted treatment of your skin. That also leads to one of its impressive features – it is suitable for all skin types.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

As a RF microneedling device, Sylfirm X  combines radiofrequency energy with microneedling, but it also goes one step further. It’s dual-wave technology means it utilises both Continuous Wave and Pulsed Wave technologies, meaning your treatment can be tailored for both overall skin rejuvenation and targeted treatment of red and dark marks, all using one device. Its standout features are its precise needles and the non-insulated delivery of its dual wave RF energy.

Specifically, the device’s ultra-fine gold needles are robotically-produced to ensure they penetrate at controlled and optimum depths (between 0.3 – 4.0mm). This creates controlled micro-injuries within your skin, triggering its natural healing process, which can stimulate new collagen and elastin production, and reduce the appearance of lines and marks over time.

The non-insulated needles also deliver dual wave RF energy throughout multiple skin layers, including to the deeper dermis. This provides a mild, immediate tightening effect, and leads to further lifting and tightening with time due to the stimulation of collagen and elastin production. The evenly-leveled electrodes ensure the energy penetrates to the accurate depth and the use of uninsulated needles means the energy is delivered through their whole length, not just at the tip.

WHAT CONCERNS CAN YOU TREAT WITH SYLFIRM X?

Due to the eight different modes on offer, Sylfirm X can treat multiple concerns on both your face and body. For the face, that includes hyperpigmentation, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and vascular lesions, such as rosacea. On your body, it can improve the appearance of stretch marks and surgical scars. The device can also be used for facial and body tightening, as it helps trigger collagen remodelling (aka making your skin boost its natural collagen production). That makes it a good choice if you want to target common signs of skin ageing, such as laxity and wrinkles.

The short pulse wave mode can be used to treat:

• vascular pigmentation issues, including rosacea, melasma, and solar lentigo
• vascular lesions and small broken blood vessels
• post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
• acne scars
• stretch marks

While the continuous wave mode treats:

• mild skin laxity
• fine lines and wrinkles
• uneven skin texture and tone
• large pores

HOW DOES EACH OF THE KEY MODES WORK?

Continuous wave (CW)

The CW mode, for lifting and tightening, targets the deep dermal layer of the skin. By causing controlled repair-triggering damage with one penetration, it encourages your skin to increase its natural production of collagen and elastin. This targets sagging, wrinkly skin on the face and body overtime, while providing a slight immediate tightening effect.

Pulsed wave (PW)

The PW mode targets the skin’s fibroblasts to strengthen the skin’s base membrane and removes unwanted visible blood vessels while the surrounding tissue stays intact. This reduces the appearance of dark and red marks, and results in a smoother-looking, more evenly toned complexion.

300 Mode

The 300 mode targets the basal membranes and papillary dermis of the skin – two key areas for targeted age-related rejuvenation. In fact, the 300 Mode is the only treatment that can treat three layers at the same time: the epidermis, basal membrane and papillary dermis.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO EXPERIENCE SYLFIRM X?

Your practitioner will start by cleansing your face to remove any makeup or other residue, before sanitising the treatment area with an alcohol swab. This helps to limit the effect of infection. Then the treatment begins, and, as the practitioner moves the handpiece across the treatment area, you may feel a warm, stinging and/or tingling sensation from the pulses of RF energy, plus some pressure from the microneedles. It’s not pain-free, but should be bearable.

The treatment may also involve the use of regenerative serums that are applied onto your skin straight afterwards. The RF microneedling will have helped maximise their absorption and therefore their effect.

HOW LONG DOES SYLFIRM X TAKE?

It’s pretty quick! The treatment itself is likely to last around 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the size and number of areas you want to target. Numbing cream isn’t always required, but if you want it or your practitioner recommends it, it is applied 15 to 20 minutes pre-appointment, so it can easily be factored into your timings.

HOW MANY SESSIONS DO YOU NEED?

Depending on the concern and severity of the condition you are looking to treat, a series of three to five treatment sessions is recommended. These can be spaced two to four weeks apart.

HOW QUICKLY CAN YOU SEE RESULTS?

If your key concern is a reduction in the appearance of pigmentation and acne scarring, expect to see results about a month after treatment. Skin tightening is likely to take a little longer, as it takes time for the benefits of boosted collagen production to be seen. By about three months post-treatment though, you should be seeing your best results.

Plus, if you are impatient, it’s good to know that most patients report some decree of visible tightening straight after treatment, and a general improvement in skin quality within just a few weeks, so there will be benefits before the big finish.

HOW LONG DO YOUR RESULTS LAST?

You can enjoy the benefits of a course of Sylfirm X treatments for up to a year, with annual maintenance recommended. You can also prolong your results by avoid smothing and wearing sunscreen (to avoid collagen breakdown and age spots) – although we’d like to think you are doing so anyway.

WHAT IS THE DOWNTIME LIKE?

Sylfirm X has been celebrated, in the US especially, for its minimal downtime compared to other RF microneedling devices. Straight after your treatment, your skin will be a little red, and may feel slightly tight, like a sunburn, but there shouldn’t be swelling.

That means any side effects should not be very lifestyle-affecting. However, as will all such treatments, your skin will be sun-sensitive, so using a broad-spectrum sunscreen is non-negotiable. (If you have pigmentation concerns and you don’t wear SPF after treatment, you could even make the issue worse). You’ll also need to avoid potentially irritating ingredients such as retinoids and AHAs and skip makeup, at least until any redness calms. You should avoid exercise, swimming and saunas for 24 hours too.

IS IT SUITABLE FOR BLACK SKIN?

It’s suitable for all skin types. That’s because the treatment targets the dermis (the deeper layer of the skin), while minimising the heat delivered to the skin’s surface (the epidermis).

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

 Treatments start from around £250, but, as always, it will depend on the location and expertise of your chosen practitioner. Due to the skill involved with RF microneedling, be prepared to pay a little extra to ensure you see someone with the suitable level of training and expertise.

CAN YOU HAVE SYLFIRM X ALONGSIDE OTHER TWEAKMENTS?

Yes – but you should think carefully about when you have them done. You should leave at least a week’s gap on either side, for example, before having any sort of injectable and hold off on peels for at least three weeks. (Equally, always let your practitioner know about any previous and upcoming treatments you have in mind, so they can treat your concerns appropriately).

A Sylfirm X treatment can also be used in combination with a fractional laser treatment. It allows the laser to be used on a gently mode to treat the skin surface (limiting laser-based downtimes), while Sylfirm X effectively targets the skin’s deeper layers.

IS SYLFIRM SAFE?

Rest assured that the technology has been rigorously tested and assessed for safety, but it’s important to note that most RF microneedling complications – for example visible pin-pricks – stem from improper technique. That means it’s really important to choose a trusted and well-trained practitioner, like those in our guide.

The treatment is also not recommended for individuals who are pregnant, have a pacemaker or who are on anti-coagulation drugs. It isn’t suitable for anyone with super sensitive skin either, or those with active acne, eczema or psoriasis. You should avoid it if you are taking Accutane (the anti-acne medication) and if you are prone to keloid scarring.

IS THERE PROOF IT WORKS?

As well as plenty of impressive before-and-after photographs, Sylfirm X is supported by over twenty-five publications, which emphasise its safety, versatility and clinical efficacy. That includes clinical trials by Korea’s leading university hospitals.

WHO CREATED IT?

Sylfirm X was created by Dr JongJu Na, who also, way back, invented the whole concept of RF Needling. Sylfirm X is distributed in the UK by Novus Medical, a company that prides itself on offering leading, innovative technologies for the aesthetics industry.