Minimal downtime, maximum results.
Matrix Is the Skin Tightening Treatment That Turns Back the Clock
I can’t scroll for more than five seconds without being served up ads for the miraculousMorpheus8, microneedling’s big sister that celebs like Kim K, Jessica Simpson, and Lindsay Lohan swore by in 2022. Turns out there’s a new treatment in town that claims to give Morpheus8 a run for its money. EnterMatrix: The latest radiofrequency (RF) device predicted to become the “it” treatment of the year.
According to a double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Ben Talei, Matrix is unlike anything out there. “It’s not like Profound; it’s not like Fractura, and it’s not like Morpheus8. I think it will be the best skin tightening treatment device of all time.” As a beauty writer whose forty-something-year-old skin sings a sad song of stress and sleepless nights, I’m a connoisseur of all the treatments. Still, even with all the botox, filler, laser peels, Fraxel, and microdermabrasion I’ve had, I was a newbie to RF microneedling like the Matrix, so there was a bit of a learning curve.
Naturally, I had reservations and wasn't about to take the doctor’s word for it. You see, my sister had four sessions of Morpheus8, and while it tightened her skin and improved texture, it also altered her signature square jaw and completely changed her face shape–which was not what she had in mind. Therefore, I take Matrix’s claims seriously. If they hold true, they could boost one’s self-confidence. However, if they fall short, it’s my face at stake, so it’s a big deal. Armed with cautious optimism in one hand and Dr. Talei’s unwavering confidence in the other, I boldly stepped into the Matrix, eager to explore the buzz surrounding it.
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What is microneedling?
There are three main types of microneedling: Electric, manual, and RF. Electric, handheld devices move across the skin with needles going in and out like a ballpoint pen; manual devices require pushing the needles up to 2.5 millimeters deep, like a stamp. Lastly, the RF variety of microneedling employs tiny needles to penetrate the skin at varying depths to deliver RF energy waves that induce micro-injuries. And why, might you ask, would anyone willingly subject their skin to purposeful injury? The magic of microneedling lies in the remarkable aftereffects, as these micro-injuries stimulate the body’s response to produce more collagen, resulting in smoother skin with a dewy glow. Sign me up!
See The Full ArticleWhat is Matrix, and what are the benefits?
Matrix Pro is the newest addition to the fifth-generation RF microneedling devices, designed to regenerate and build new collagen. The maker of Matrix,Candela, patented their needleless applicators that deliver energy to the skin, transforming overall skin appearance and texture. The way it works is a bit complicated, so I contacted Dr. Konika Schallen, Medical Director of Candela, to explain.
“The Sublime applicator uses infrared and RF energy to bulk heat the skin, stimulating collagen production, making the skin tight and smooth,” Dr. Schallen explained, while “the Sublative applicator fractionates bi-polar RF energy, which provides resurfacing of the skin and while still minimally invasive, contributes to the treatment's minimal downtime.” Schallen noted that the downtime is “still less than other resurfacing treatments.” All this technical jargon really means Matrix promises to make your face taut and smooth while reducing fine lines, pore size, and wrinkles, and boosting radiance.
How does Matrix feel?
In terms of spiciness, the Matrix was a medium salsa. Dr. Talei applied lidocaine numbing cream was applied for 45 minutes, then it wiped off before administering the Matrix’s warm, prickly sensations as the RF energy entered my skin. It certainly wasn’t massage-like, but I've endured worse pain in the name of beauty (two words: lip threading). For my second treatment, we didn't have as much time to numb, so he shot me up with a blissful dental block around my mouth and nose. I couldn't sip smoothies or anything or at least four hours after, but I preferred that “numb to the world style” over the usual topical numbing cream.
I had Matrix done on my face, neck, and chest, and the session took about 45 minutes. Considering the 30 to 45 minutes for numbing, the procedure is about an hour and a half when all’s said and done. A “face only” session would likely be shorter.
How long do results last?
Matrix is the gift that keeps on giving. “Patients usually start to see results a month after treatment, which last at least 12 months or longer,” Talei explains, “but we repeat one to two times each year to maintain maximum results.”
Just three days post-treatment, I immediately looked better. However, one month after my first treatment, I noticed that my skin texture seemed more bouncy, my pores definitely looked smaller, and my skin appeared plumper and radiant, like I was glowing from the inside after a sweaty, hot yoga sesh.
What about downtime?
In our always-on world, downtime is always a concern, which is whynon-invasive treatments have soared in the last two years. Unlike other resurfacing treatments, like microdermabrasion or lasers likeFraxel, RF microneedling does not require days of discomfort or significant lifestyle changes during recovery. Matrix touts minimal downtime, but I still canceled any fancy plans for two days post-treatment, just in case. I only needed a good 24 hours out of sight. I’m in LA, where my sunburned sheen would have been just fine. Talei said it’s normal to experience a bright red flush after treatment, but promised it fades within hours. I had little red crusty stamp marks on my neck and chest that lingered for three days but were barely noticeable. Even though it was a non-invasive treatment, I felt emotionally exhausted afterward. I honored the fact that my face experienced trauma and chose to take it slow and easy.
