Structural skin tightening. Zero downtime.
XERF is the first monopolar radiofrequency system to fire two frequencies at once — reaching the shallow, middle, and deep layers of your skin in a single pass. Face, neck, and body. The lift comes from collagen your body rebuilds, not a temporary surface effect.
No needles · No numbing cream · No recovery time
What radiofrequency skin tightening actually does.
Skin doesn't sag because the surface changed. It sags because the structure underneath it changed.
Collagen and elastin are the proteins that hold your face in position. From your mid-twenties onward you produce measurably less of both every year, and the fibers you already have begin to loosen and fragment. Living in Florida accelerates this — cumulative UV exposure breaks down dermal collagen faster than almost any other environmental factor.
The visible result shows up first along the jawline and neck, because those areas carry the least underlying support. Creams work on the outermost layer of skin and cannot reach the tissue where the problem lives.
Radiofrequency takes a different route. It passes energy through the skin's surface without damaging it and generates controlled heat in the dermis below. When collagen reaches roughly 50–70°C, it contracts — you get an immediate tightening effect — and the body reads that heat as an injury signal.
That signal starts a wound-healing cascade that lays down new collagen over the following weeks and months. This is why RF results build rather than appear: you are watching your own tissue rebuild in real time.
Two frequencies. One pass. Real structure.
Conventional RF devices run a single frequency, which means they treat a single depth. XERF fires 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz simultaneously — treating the surface and the foundation in the same pass.
6.78 MHz — the surface frequency
Concentrates energy in the upper dermis, where the collagen and elastin responsible for skin texture, pore appearance, and fine lines live. This is the frequency most single-frequency RF devices use on its own.
2 MHz — the structural frequency
Travels deeper, reaching the SMAS — the connective tissue layer surgeons lift and reposition during a facelift. Heating this layer is what produces changes in jawline definition rather than just surface smoothing.
Impedance feedback & cooling
The handpiece reads your skin's electrical resistance on every pulse and adjusts output in real time, while integrated cooling holds the surface at a safe temperature. That combination is why numbing cream generally isn't required.
Why the SMAS is the whole conversation.
The superficial musculoaponeurotic system is a sheet of fibrous tissue sitting between your skin and the muscles of facial expression. It behaves like scaffolding: when it loosens, everything resting on top of it descends. Jowling, a softening jawline, and a heavy lower face are all downstream of SMAS laxity.
A surgical facelift works by physically tightening and repositioning this layer. Most non-surgical treatments never reach it — they improve the skin sitting on top of a foundation that's still loose, which is why so many people describe their results as underwhelming. Reaching SMAS depth without an incision is the specific problem XERF was engineered to solve.
How XERF compares to the treatments you've already researched.
Every device on this list produces real results for the right patient. They differ in what tissue they reach, what the appointment feels like, and what your week looks like afterward.
| XERF | Thermage | Ultherapy | RF Microneedling | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy type | Dual-frequency monopolar RF | Single-frequency monopolar RF | Micro-focused ultrasound | RF delivered through needles |
| Depth reached | Shallow, mid, and SMAS — simultaneously | Primarily superficial to mid dermis | Targeted points at multiple depths | Mid dermis, set by needle depth |
| Needles | None | None | None | Yes |
| Numbing | Generally not needed | Sometimes used | Commonly used | Required |
| Typical comfort | Deep warmth with a cooling pulse | Brief heat pulses | Deep pinpoint sensation | Pressure and heat under numbing |
| Downtime | None | Minimal | Minimal, possible swelling | Redness and swelling, often several days |
| Typical series | 1–2 sessions | Usually 1 session | Usually 1 session | Commonly 3 sessions |
Comparison reflects manufacturer-published parameters and typical clinical practice. Protocols vary by provider, patient anatomy, and treatment area. The right choice depends on your degree of laxity and your tolerance for downtime — which is exactly what an assessment is for.
Seven years of development. Now on Central Ave.
XERF was developed by Lutronic in South Korea and brought to the U.S. market through Cynosure, following roughly seven years of clinical research and widespread clinical use across Korea before it earned FDA clearance in 2025.
Since launch it has drawn substantial coverage in the beauty and dermatology press, largely because of the comfort profile — a genuinely deep RF treatment that most patients tolerate without numbing cream is unusual. Optimal Wellness was among the first practices in St. Petersburg to bring the platform in, and every treatment here is performed under the supervision of our medical director.
One device. Face to body.
Skin laxity isn't confined to the face, and neither is XERF. The same handpiece and the same dual-frequency energy treat loose skin anywhere it develops — with larger tips and longer session times for body work.
Jawline & jowls
The most-noticed result. Softening jawlines and early jowling respond well because this is where SMAS laxity shows first.
Neck & under-chin
The deep frequency tightens the structure beneath while the surface frequency smooths crepey texture above it.
Under-eye & brow
Heavy brows lift and under-eye laxity reduces, opening up the eye area. Smaller tips allow precise work around the orbit.
Abdomen
The most requested body area. Addresses the loose, crepey skin that remains after pregnancy or significant weight loss, including the lower belly and the area around a C-section scar.
Upper arms
Loose skin along the back of the arm doesn't respond to training, because the problem is dermal rather than muscular. RF treats the tissue quality itself.
Inner thighs
One of the first areas to show laxity after weight loss and one of the hardest to address any other way short of surgery. Thin skin here responds well to controlled heating.
Flanks & bra line
Softens the loose skin and rolling that shows through fitted clothing along the sides and back — an area most treatments simply don't cover.
Knees & above
Crepey, wrinkled skin above the kneecap ages the leg regardless of muscle tone. A small, straightforward area that makes a visible difference in shorts and dresses.
Décolletage & chest
Addresses the crepey chest texture that comes from years of sun exposure — common and often overlooked in Florida, where this area gets more UV than the face.
Lost the weight, still have the skin?
This is the most common reason our patients come in for body treatment. Rapid or significant weight loss — whether from a medically supervised program, surgery, or your own effort — removes volume faster than skin can retract. What's left is loose, crepey tissue that no amount of continued weight loss or training will tighten, because the issue is degraded collagen, not fat.
XERF heats that dermal layer and prompts your body to lay down new collagen, improving skin quality and firmness across the abdomen, arms, and thighs. It's the step most weight loss programs never tell you about.
Book a Body AssessmentWhat body treatment actually involves
Body areas are larger, so sessions run longer than a face treatment — typically 60 to 90 minutes depending on how many areas you're addressing. The sensation is the same warm, tolerable heat, and there's still no numbing and no downtime.
Body skin is thicker and holds less collagen density than facial skin, so results build more gradually and most patients benefit from a series rather than a single session. Your provider will be direct with you at the assessment about what's realistic for your degree of laxity.
One honest limit: if you have a significant amount of excess skin — the kind that hangs or folds — a surgical consultation is the more useful referral, and we'll tell you that rather than sell you a series that won't get there.
Before & after XERF
Structural lift that continues to build in the weeks following treatment as new collagen forms.
Individual results vary. Photos are of real Optimal Wellness patients, shared with written consent. Results depend on skin condition, age, biological response, and treatment plan.
Warm, comfortable, done in about an hour.
Deep warmth, then cooling
Your provider moves the handpiece in passes across the area. You feel heat build deep in the tissue, followed immediately by a cooling pulse at the surface. Most patients rate it 1–2 out of 10, and no numbing is needed. A full face runs 45–60 minutes.
Straight back to your day
Mild warmth or light redness for a few hours, similar to a light sunburn and easily covered. No recovery period — work, the gym, or dinner are all fine.
The lift builds
New collagen forms and skin gradually tightens. Many patients notice subtle definition on treatment day, with the meaningful change arriving over these weeks.
Peak results
Firming continues through roughly the six-month mark. A maintenance session every 6–12 months keeps you ahead of ongoing collagen loss.
Who XERF is for — and who it isn't.
Being honest about this matters more than booking someone who won't get a result.
Likely a strong candidate
- Early to moderate skin laxity along the jawline, neck, or body
- Wanting to slow visible aging before it progresses further
- Ruled out surgery, or aren't ready for it
- Cannot take downtime — work, travel, or an event on the calendar
- Have had surface treatments that improved texture but not sagging
- Maintaining results after a facelift or deep-plane procedure
- Years of Florida sun exposure showing up as crepey texture
Not a candidate, or needs review first
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy
- Pacemaker, defibrillator, or implanted electronic device
- Metal implants within the treatment area
- Active infection, open wound, or acute illness
- Certain autoimmune conditions requiring provider review
- Taking specific medications, including some antibiotics and steroids
- Advanced laxity with significant excess skin — a surgical consult is the more honest referral
This list is not exhaustive. Every patient completes a full medical history review with a licensed provider before treatment, and treatment is performed under physician supervision.
Choose your XERF plan
Collagen remodeling compounds with repetition, so most patients get their best result from a short series rather than a single visit. Your provider maps the right plan at your assessment.
One full XERF treatment for your target area. A good starting point if you want to experience the treatment before committing to a series, or if you're maintaining an existing result.
- Full personalized treatment protocol
- Face or one body area
- Complimentary assessment included
Two XERF treatments spaced four to six weeks apart, plus a complimentary Ultra resurfacing session. Structural tightening underneath, surface refinement on top — how most patients reach their best result.
- Two full XERF treatments
- Bonus Ultra resurfacing session
- Structural lift plus surface glow
- Complimentary assessment included
XERF combined with our physician-supervised peptide and body composition programs. Built for patients addressing tone, body composition, and skin quality as one plan rather than separate treatments.
- XERF structural tightening
- Peptide therapy protocol
- Physician-supervised throughout
- Built around your labs and goals
Treatment plans and investment are reviewed at your assessment. CareCredit and Synchrony financing available.
XERF questions, answered
Does XERF hurt?
It is warm, not painful. You feel heat build deep in the tissue as the handpiece passes, then a cooling pulse at the surface. There are no needles and no numbing cream, and discomfort is typically rated 1–2 out of 10. If an area feels too warm, your provider lowers the intensity in real time.
To be clear about what this is: XERF is a clinical radiofrequency treatment performed by trained staff under physician supervision. It is comfortable, but it is a medical procedure, not a spa service.
How is XERF different from other radiofrequency treatments?
Conventional monopolar RF devices operate on one frequency, which means they concentrate energy at one depth. XERF runs 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz simultaneously, so the shallow, middle, and deep layers all receive energy in a single pass.
The practical difference is the 2 MHz component reaching the SMAS — the connective tissue layer that governs how lifted the lower face looks. Treatments that only reach the dermis can improve texture without changing structure.
Is there any downtime?
None. You can return to normal activity immediately. Some patients have mild warmth or light redness for a few hours afterward, similar to a light sunburn, which is easily covered with makeup.
Does XERF burn fat or build muscle?
No. XERF tightens and lifts skin. It does not reduce fat and it does not stimulate muscle. Its function is structural skin tightening.
If body composition is also a goal, XERF pairs with our medical weight loss and peptide programs — but they are distinct treatments doing distinct jobs, and we'll tell you plainly which one addresses what you're actually seeing in the mirror.
Can XERF be used on the body, or just the face?
Both. The same dual-frequency energy treats loose skin anywhere it develops — most commonly the abdomen, upper arms, inner thighs, flanks, knees, and chest. Body work uses larger treatment tips, so a session typically runs 60 to 90 minutes depending on how many areas you're addressing.
Body skin is thicker and less collagen-dense than facial skin, so results build more gradually and most patients do better with a short series than a single session.
I lost weight and have loose skin. Will XERF help?
Often, yes — this is the most common reason our patients come in for body treatment. Weight loss removes volume faster than skin can retract, and the loose, crepey tissue left behind is a collagen problem rather than a fat problem. Continued weight loss and training won't change it.
XERF heats the dermal layer and prompts new collagen production, which improves firmness and skin quality in those areas. The honest caveat: if you have a significant amount of hanging or folding excess skin, a plastic surgery consultation is the more useful referral, and we'll tell you that at your assessment rather than sell you a series that can't reach the result.
How many sessions will I need?
Most patients see meaningful results from one to two sessions spaced four to six weeks apart, then a maintenance treatment every 6–12 months. The right number depends on your degree of laxity, age, treatment area, and goals — your provider will map this out at your assessment.
When will I see results?
Because XERF works by stimulating your own collagen, results build rather than appear. Many patients notice subtle tightening on the day of treatment from immediate collagen contraction. The structural change develops over the following weeks and typically peaks around three to six months.
How long do results last?
The new collagen your body produces is real tissue and persists. What continues is the natural aging process that reduced your collagen in the first place, which is why most patients schedule a maintenance session every 6–12 months to stay ahead of ongoing loss rather than starting over.
Can XERF be combined with other treatments?
Yes, when clinically appropriate. XERF is commonly paired with resurfacing treatments that improve surface tone and texture, and with collagen-stimulating protocols. Sequencing and spacing matter — your provider will build the order into your plan rather than treating them as unrelated appointments.
Who performs the treatment?
XERF treatments at Optimal Wellness are performed by trained clinical staff under the supervision of our medical director. Every patient completes a medical history review and provider assessment before their first treatment.
What happens at the assessment?
It takes about twenty minutes. A provider evaluates your skin, reviews your medical history, discusses what you're hoping to change, and gives you an honest read on what XERF can and cannot do for your anatomy — including telling you if a different treatment or a surgical referral is the better answer. You leave with a plan and a clear picture of the investment.
See if XERF is right for you.
The assessment is complimentary, takes about twenty minutes, and you'll leave knowing exactly what your skin needs. No pressure — just an honest picture of what XERF can do for your anatomy.
Optimal Wellness St. Pete · 1640 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33712 · Serving St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater & Pinellas County
XERF is FDA-cleared for its intended use. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed. Outcomes depend on skin condition, age, biological response, and the treatment plan determined at consultation. This page is educational and does not constitute medical advice. Treatment eligibility is determined by a licensed provider following a medical history review, under physician supervision. XERF is a trademark of its respective owner; Optimal Wellness St. Pete is an independent provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the manufacturer.