Medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · Last reviewed · Doctor-performed, never delegated · Jump to questions
What changed on 30 October 2026: added an at-a-glance table, a section on what decides the fee, a questions-to-ask checklist and two FAQs; rewrote the short answer and the opening; plainer wording in four paragraphs.
Dr Sin Yong · MBBS (NUS) · MRCS (Edin) · MSc Aesthetic Medicine with Distinction (Queen Mary, London) · MSc Practical Dermatology (Cardiff) · Global Key Opinion Leader
Microneedling makes the channel; radiofrequency does the work at the bottom of it. Energy is placed into the dermis at a chosen depth — not scattered across the surface — which is what makes RF microneedling useful for acne scars, enlarged pores, texture and early laxity, including in darker skin types where some lasers need more caution.
Microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries in the dermis that prompt the skin’s own repair. In Singapore it ranges from needle-only facials to RF microneedling, which adds radiofrequency energy released at the needle tips inside the dermis. Dr Sin Yong uses RF microneedling for rolling and shallow boxcar acne scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture and early laxity, setting needle depth and energy zone by zone after an in-person assessment.
Also called: radiofrequency microneedling, gold RF microneedling, 黄金微针, ポテンツァ系RFマイクロニードル
RF microneedling suits rolling and shallow boxcar acne scars, enlarged pores, rough texture and early laxity along the jaw. Dr Sin Yong decides the depth at which each one sits before choosing needles, depth or energy, because these are dermal problems — they live below the surface, in collagen that has been damaged, tethered or slowly lost. Creams work at the surface, and many light-based treatments concentrate their effect near the surface too, which is why texture concerns often plateau despite years of effort.
RF microneedling places fine needles to a set depth and releases radiofrequency energy at the needle tips — heating the dermis where remodelling is wanted while sparing the surface. Depth, energy and coverage are chosen per zone after examining what is actually driving your texture, because a tethered scar, an enlarged pore and early jowling do not want the same settings.
| Question | RF microneedling |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | Rolling and shallow boxcar acne scars, enlarged pores and uneven skin texture, and early laxity along the jaw and lower face, including Fitzpatrick III to V skin with settings chosen for pigment risk. |
| What is assessed first | Skin type, scar types, laxity pattern and pigment risk. Dr Sin Yong decides the depth at which each scar, pore field or area of laxity sits before choosing needles, depth or energy. |
| How it is done | Performed personally on Secret DUO after topical anaesthesia. Insulated or non-insulated needles are chosen for skin type and target, and depth and energy are set zone by zone. Tethered and deep ice-pick scars are treated with subcision or TCA CROSS first. |
| Who should wait | Active infection, inflamed acne or open wounds in the area; pregnancy; recent oral isotretinoin. A pacemaker, metal or gold-thread implants, a keloid tendency or blood thinners change or rule out the plan. |
| Aftercare page | RF microneedling aftercare |
Asked about Morpheus8? It is one brand of RF microneedling, explained in its own honest guide.
RF microneedling in Singapore is used for acne scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture and early laxity, and on the body as part of a wider plan. The device is the same; the depth, needle type and energy change with the concern. Some concerns also need a second treatment, and the order matters.
| Concern | What RF microneedling does | Tends to suit | Not for, or what is needed first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling and shallow boxcar acne scars | Remodels dermal collagen at the depth where the scar sits | Scars that soften when the skin is stretched | Tethered or deep ice-pick scars, which are treated with subcision or TCA CROSS first |
| Enlarged pores and oily texture | Firms the collagen around pores and places thermal zones around oil glands | Pores that look larger because the skin around them has loosened | Active, inflamed acne, which is settled medically first |
| Pigment-prone or redness-prone skin | Insulated needles release heat at the tip and spare the surface, which lowers pigment risk | Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin that needs texture or scar work | Melasma or rosacea as the main concern, which are planned on their own terms |
| Early laxity of the jaw and lower face | Treats the dermal part of the laxity | Soft slackening before jowls form | Deeper laxity, which belongs to HIFU or a lifting protocol |
| Loose skin on the body | On the body, the Secret DUO is one part of the 4K Body Lift | A compact, pinchable fat pocket and the skin over it | Heavy skin excess, which needs surgical assessment |
Dr Sin Yong performs RF microneedling personally on Secret DUO. Planning starts with the tissue plane: he decides the depth at which each scar, pore field or area of laxity sits before he chooses needles, depth or energy. Insulated needles are generally his choice in Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin. Non-insulated needles are used for broad, shallow textural work. Depth and energy are set zone by zone, deeper over the cheeks and jaw, and conservative around the eyes and over bone. If RF microneedling is not the right tool for your scars, you are told what is. See acne scar treatment for how scars are planned by type.
RF microneedling works at the depth where the needle stops, so the clearest way to understand it is layer by layer. The table describes the skin, not a brand of device. The millimetre figure for each layer changes with the area and the person, which is why depth is set zone by zone rather than once for the whole face.
| Layer | What sits there | Concerns that live there | What heat there is directed at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epidermis (surface) | Pigment-making cells and the skin barrier | Surface roughness; pigment risk in darker skin | Nothing: insulated needles pass through without heating it |
| Upper dermis | Fine collagen and the walls of small pores | Fine lines, crepey texture, a fine pore field | Light remodelling of the upper collagen |
| Mid dermis | Denser collagen, oil glands and pore walls | Enlarged pores, oily congested skin, shallow rolling scars | Remodelling of the collagen around pores and under shallow scars |
| Deep dermis | Thick collagen bundles; the floor of deeper scars | Rolling and shallow boxcar scars | Remodelling at the base of the scar |
| Junction with the fat beneath | Fibrous bands linking the skin to the layer below | Early laxity over the cheeks and jaw | Contraction and remodelling where early laxity starts |
| Beyond reach | Tethered bands, the narrow base of ice-pick scars, deeper fat and the SMAS | Pinned scars, ice-pick scars, descent, volume loss | Not RF microneedling: subcision, TCA CROSS, lifting or volume are planned instead |
Two practical points follow. First, one setting for the whole face is rarely right. On the Secret DUO the needle depth is adjustable from 0.5 to 3.5 mm, and Dr Sin Yong sets it deeper over the cheeks and jaw and conservatively around the eyes and over bone. Second, insulated needles keep heat off the surface on the way down, which is why they are generally his choice in Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin, while non-insulated needles are used for broad, shallow textural work.
If the problem sits in the bottom row, a deeper needle is not the answer. Descent is weighed for VF Lift – Vertical Facelift or focused ultrasound, and volume loss for an injectable plan. How scars are planned by type, including what comes before RF microneedling, is set out on acne scar treatment in Singapore.
Asked about Sylfirm X? It is a brand of RF microneedling device, not a separate treatment.
Each pulse insulates the journey and spends the energy at the destination. Microneedles go in to a chosen depth, typically adjustable between about 0.5 and 3.5 mm. Radiofrequency current then flows at the tips, creating controlled zones of heat in the dermis. Over time, the body responds to those zones with new collagen and elastin. That remodelling is what scars, pores and crepey texture need.
Because the heat is delivered under the surface rather than through it, RF microneedling is workable across a wider range of skin tones — including Fitzpatrick III to V, common in Singapore — where surface-heavy treatments carry more pigmentation risk. It is not a laser and does not replace one; for some scars the right plan combines both, staged sensibly. That is an assessment decision, not a menu choice.
Microneedling, with or without radiofrequency, creates controlled micro-injuries in the dermis and relies on the skin’s own wound-healing response. That response follows three overlapping phases, which is why change develops gradually rather than on the day.
RF microneedling adds heat at the needle tip, so the dermis receives a thermal stimulus at a chosen depth while the surface is largely spared. In darker and Asian skin any injury carries a risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so depth, energy and spacing are set conservatively and sun protection afterwards matters. Safety in darker skin is covered on RF microneedling in Asian skin.
Rolling and shallow boxcar scars respond to dermal remodelling. Deep ice-pick scars and tethered scars usually need other tools first — acne scar treatment is planned by scar type, not by device.
A pore is a structure, not a blemish — nothing shrinks a pore permanently. What dermal remodelling can do is firm the collagen around pores so they appear tighter and shadows soften. Honest expectations are part of the plan.
Rough, uneven, “tired” texture that make-up exaggerates. Dermal collagen stimulation smooths the canvas gradually rather than overnight.
The stage before jowls — soft slackening along the jaw and lower face. RF microneedling addresses the dermal component; deeper laxity belongs to HIFU or lifting protocols.
Static fine lines from collagen thinning, distinct from expression lines (which are muscle-driven and answer to BTX, not needles).
Thermal zones around sebaceous units can help calm oil-driven congestion as part of a broader acne plan — managed together with medical acne treatment, not instead of it.
“Nothing shrinks a pore. Remodelling the collagen around it is the honest version of that promise.”Dr Sin Yong
Reference: Hantash BM, Ubeid AA, Chang H, Kafi R, Renton B. Bipolar fractional radiofrequency treatment induces neoelastogenesis and neocollagenesis. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2009;41(1):1-9.
Skin type, scar types, laxity pattern and pigment risk are examined first. If RF microneedling is not the right tool for your particular scars, you will be told what is.
Topical anaesthesia is applied and the skin prepared. Comfort is managed throughout; most people describe pressure and warmth rather than pain.
Depth and energy are set per zone — deeper on the cheeks and jaw, conservative around the eyes and bony areas. Coverage is systematic, not rushed.
Expect redness and pinpoint marks initially; recovery varies by settings and skin. Progress is reviewed and the plan adjusted — remodelling is gradual by nature, not a single-visit event.
Microneedling in Singapore covers three quite different treatments, and the word alone does not tell you which one you are booking. A needle-only microneedling facial uses a pen or roller to create fine channels; the repair response to those channels is the whole mechanism. Some versions add a serum or growth-factor solution to the surface, which changes what sits in the channels but not how deep the effect reaches.
RF microneedling is a separate category. The needles are only the delivery route; the work is done by radiofrequency energy released at the tips, inside the dermis, at a depth set for each zone. Devices also differ in whether the needles are insulated along the shaft, which spares the surface, or uninsulated, which heats along the whole track.
That is why a microneedling facial and RF microneedling should not be compared on the word they share. One is a surface-led repair stimulus; the other places controlled heat where tethered collagen, enlarged pores and early laxity actually sit. Which of these your skin needs is decided by examining it, not by the name on the menu.
Microneedling vs RF microneedling in Singapore is the comparison most people are really making when they search for microneedling, because the two share a word and little else. Needle-only microneedling uses a pen or roller to make fine channels, and the repair response to those channels is the whole mechanism. RF microneedling uses the needles as a delivery route and does its work with radiofrequency energy released at the needle tips, inside the dermis, at a depth set for each zone.
The table puts the two side by side on the points that matter when you are choosing.
| Point of difference | Microneedling (needle only) | RF microneedling |
|---|---|---|
| What does the work | The skin's repair response to fine channels; a serum may be added to the surface | Radiofrequency heat released at the needle tips in the dermis; the needles are only the route |
| Where the effect reaches | Led from the surface; adding a serum changes what sits in the channels, not how deep the effect goes | A depth set zone by zone, where tethered collagen, enlarged pores and early laxity actually sit |
| Needle design | Solid needles on a pen or roller | Insulated needles release energy at the tip and spare the surface; non-insulated needles heat along the whole track |
| Concerns it is used for | Surface texture and as a vehicle for topical products | Rolling and shallow boxcar acne scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture, early laxity |
| Darker skin | Surface-led, so pigment risk relates to the channels and any product applied | Insulated needles are generally Dr Sin Yong's choice in Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin because the surface is spared |
| What comes first | Active acne is settled first | Tethered scars are released by subcision and deep ice-pick scars treated with TCA CROSS before RF microneedling is staged |
| Who performs it | Varies by setting | Performed by Dr Sin Yong personally on the Secret DUO platform |
Neither is right for every face. A microneedling facial suits someone whose concern is surface texture; it does not reach a scar that is tethered below. RF microneedling is planned for dermal problems, and the device matters less than the depth, needle type and energy chosen for each zone, which is why the device comparison and the Morpheus8 vs RF microneedling page both come back to the same question: what sits where in your skin. Where a skin booster is added, the order is set out on skin boosters with RF microneedling. Suitability is decided by examining the skin, not by the name on the menu.
Dermarollers and microneedling pens are sold for home use, and they share a name with the treatment done in clinic. The table sets out what differs.
| Point | In a medical clinic | Home roller or pen |
|---|---|---|
| Who decides the depth | The doctor, by area and concern | The user, usually without knowing the thickness of the skin |
| Needle depth | Set to reach the dermis, where scars and pore walls sit, with numbing | Short needles that stay in the upper skin; longer home needles raise the risk of injury |
| Sterility | Single-use sterile cartridges, with the skin prepared using antiseptic | Reused rollers can carry bacteria; infection and skin reactions are reported |
| Energy | Radiofrequency can be delivered at the needle tip | None |
| Screening | Active acne, infection, eczema, cold sores and keloid tendency are checked first | No screening |
| If something goes wrong | Assessed and managed by the doctor | Usually no medical follow-up |
A fuller comparison is on home microneedling vs RF microneedling.
Microneedling is a treatment that uses fine needles, on a pen or a roller, to make tiny controlled channels in the skin. The skin repairs those channels, and that repair response is the whole mechanism. Nothing is heated and nothing is removed. It is a surface-led treatment for texture, fine lines and shallow scars.
RF microneedling uses the same kind of needle only as a route, and does its work with heat released at a set depth. That is why most of this page is about RF. Plain microneedling still has a place, and it helps to know where that place ends.
At this practice, RF microneedling on the Secret DUO is the needle treatment performed for scars, pores and laxity. A needle on its own is used where it is the right tool, as the route for a skin booster, and is sequenced with RF rather than offered as a substitute for it. Home rollers and pens are a separate matter, because depth and sterility are hard to control outside a clinic; see home microneedling vs RF microneedling. The point-by-point comparison is on microneedling vs RF microneedling.
The cost of RF microneedling in Singapore follows the treatment plan rather than a fixed price list, because two people asking for the same treatment rarely need the same thing.
Four things shape it. The first is the area: a single zone such as the cheeks differs from full-face or neck coverage. The second is what the assessment finds — rolling scars, boxcar scars, pores and early laxity call for different depths and energy, and some scars need subcision or TCA CROSS before RF microneedling is useful. The third is whether RF microneedling stands alone or is combined with laser resurfacing, which changes the plan. The fourth is staging: remodelling is gradual, so the plan is reviewed and adjusted rather than fixed in advance.
A figure quoted before anyone has examined your skin would not reflect your scars, your skin type or your pigment history. Cost is set out clearly at consultation, before anything is agreed, so you can decide with the full picture.
A written quote is given at consultation after assessment, and the consultation decides whether RF microneedling is advised at all. How quotes work at this practice: how we quote.
“RF microneedling is a family of devices with different needles and depths, not one treatment.”
Dr Sin YongOn RF microneedling
The price of RF microneedling in Singapore depends on several things. One is the area. Another is the depths and energy your scars, pores or laxity call for. It also depends on whether subcision, TCA CROSS or laser resurfacing is combined, and on the review. So a per-visit figure from a clinic with a different device and depth does not compare like for like with RF microneedling on the Secret DUO here. The fee is set out in writing after assessment, as how fees are quoted explains. The factors across laser and skin treatments are compared in aesthetic treatment cost factors.
RF microneedling is not suitable for everyone, and some situations mean waiting or choosing a different tool. Active infection, inflamed acne or open wounds in the treatment area are usually settled first, because needling through active inflammation is the wrong order of work.
Some conditions call for particular caution or a different plan. One is a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device. Others are metal or gold-thread implants in the area, and pregnancy. A tendency to keloid or hypertrophic (raised) scarring also counts. So do a bleeding tendency or blood-thinning medicine, and recent use of oral isotretinoin. A history of post-inflammatory pigmentation does not rule treatment out. It does change the settings and the preparation.
These are not reasons for alarm; they are the questions asked at assessment. Your medical history, current medicines and recent treatments elsewhere are reviewed before any settings are chosen, and if RF microneedling is not the right tool for you, you will be told what is.
Aftercare following RF microneedling is simple, and following it closely matters more than any product you add. Expect redness and fine pinpoint marks at first; how long these take to settle depends on the depth and energy used and on your skin.
Keep the skin clean with a gentle cleanser and a plain moisturiser, and avoid scrubs, retinoids and exfoliating acids until you are told to restart them. Do not pick at any small scabs. Sun protection is essential, particularly for Fitzpatrick III to V skin, where unprotected sun exposure during healing raises the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation. Make-up, swimming, saunas and intense exercise should wait until the treated skin has settled, and specific timings are given to you on the day.
If redness worsens rather than eases, or the skin becomes increasingly painful, swollen or weepy, get in touch rather than waiting for the review. Remodelling continues quietly under the surface, so progress is judged at review, not in the mirror the following morning.
The sequence below describes phases, not a timetable; how quickly each passes depends on the settings used, the area and the person.
| Option | What it does | What it cannot do | Typical recovery | Who it tends to suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RF microneedling | Releases radiofrequency energy at a chosen depth in the dermis to stimulate collagen and elastin remodelling while sparing the surface | Release tethered scars, treat deep ice-pick scars on its own, clear pigment, or lift deeper laxity | Redness and pinpoint marks at first; varies with depth and energy | Rolling and shallow boxcar scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture and early laxity, including Fitzpatrick III–V skin |
| Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing (S3 Resurfacing) | Ablates microscopic columns of skin to resurface texture and remodel scar edges | Free a tethered scar from below or address volume loss | A surface healing phase with redness and flaking; length depends on depth and settings | Boxcar scars and coarse texture where a resurfacing effect is wanted and pigment risk has been assessed |
| Subcision | Releases the fibrous bands that pull rolling scars down, so the skin can lift from beneath | Resurface the skin or rebuild collagen across a wide area | Bruising and swelling around treated scars that settle | Rolling scars that are tethered — often planned before RF microneedling or laser |
| TCA CROSS | Places concentrated trichloroacetic acid into individual narrow scars to prompt collagen from the base | Treat broad, rolling or widespread texture | Small crusts on the treated points that settle | Deep, narrow ice-pick scars |
| HIFU or energy-based lifting | Delivers focused energy deeper than the dermis to address laxity of the lower face | Remodel acne scars or refine pores | Transient redness or tenderness; varies with the protocol | Laxity beyond the dermal component, such as early jowling |
Medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · Updated 20 October 2026
Dr Sin Yong performs RF microneedling personally on Secret DUO, a platform that pairs radiofrequency microneedling with a 1540 nm non-ablative fractional laser. Planning starts with the tissue plane: he decides the depth at which each scar, pore field or area of laxity sits before choosing needles, depth or energy.
He chooses between insulated and non-insulated needle cartridges according to skin type and target. Insulated needles, which release energy only at the tip, are generally his choice in Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin; non-insulated needles, which heat along the whole shaft, are used for broad, shallow textural work. Depth and energy are then set zone by zone, deeper over the cheeks and jaw and conservative around the eyes and over bone.
Where the skin around a scar also needs attention, the 1540 nm fractional laser on the same platform can be used in the same visit. Tethered scars are released by subcision and deep ice-pick scars treated with TCA CROSS first, so that RF microneedling is staged after the steps it cannot do itself.
Sylfirm X is a radiofrequency microneedling device made by Viol in Korea and used by a number of clinics in Singapore. Like other RF microneedling systems, it places fine needles into the dermis and releases radiofrequency energy at the tips. What distinguishes it is a choice of pulsed-wave and continuous-wave modes; the pulsed-wave mode is why it is often discussed for redness- and pigment-adjacent concerns, such as melasma-associated redness and rosacea, as well as for scars and texture.
The RF microneedling Dr Sin Yong performs is on Secret DUO, which differs in two practical ways. It offers both insulated needles, which release energy only at the tip and spare the surface, and non-insulated needles, which heat along the whole shaft for broad, shallow texture work. It also carries a 1540 nm non-ablative fractional laser on the same platform, so the skin around a scar can be treated in the same visit.
Neither device is ranked above the other. Device-specific randomised data are limited for each, and the published evidence sits at the level of RF microneedling as a modality, particularly for atrophic acne scars. What decides the plan is scar type, depth and Fitzpatrick skin type, not the brand on the handpiece.
| Factor | RF microneedling | Non-ablative fractional laser (1540 nm) | Ablative fractional CO2 laser |
|---|---|---|---|
| How energy is delivered | Radiofrequency current released at needle tips inside the dermis | Light absorbed by water in microscopic columns, leaving the surface intact | Light that vaporises microscopic columns of skin, surface included |
| Main level of effect | Mid to deep dermis, at a depth set for each zone | Epidermis and upper to mid dermis | Surface and dermis, resurfacing scar edges |
| Effect on the surface | Largely spared, particularly with insulated needles | Intact surface with fine micro-injury | Open micro-wounds that crust and flake as they heal |
| Pigment risk in Fitzpatrick III–V skin | Lower with insulated needles, because heat bypasses the epidermis; settings are still conservative | Present; managed with conservative settings | Higher; needs careful settings, skin preparation and sun protection |
| Typical recovery | Redness and pinpoint marks that settle; varies with depth and energy | Redness and mild swelling for a short period | A surface healing phase with redness and flaking, usually the longest of the three |
| Tends to suit | Rolling and shallow boxcar scars, pores, texture and early laxity | Fine texture, mild scarring and overall skin quality | Boxcar scars and coarse texture where resurfacing is wanted |
It is the wrong tool for anyone expecting tethered scars, deep ice-pick scars, pore size or deeper jowling to change with RF microneedling alone, because those need subcision, TCA CROSS or lifting.
Expected effects are redness, pinpoint marks and a feeling of pressure and warmth, which settle as the skin recovers. How long that takes depends on needle depth, energy and your skin. Less common complications include post-inflammatory pigmentation, particularly in Fitzpatrick III to V skin if the sun is not avoided. Others are prolonged redness, small scabs or crusting, infection, a flare of cold sores or acne, and scarring in people prone to keloid. Burns or uneven heating are uncommon. They are reduced by correct depth, energy and cartridge choice. Treatment is performed personally by a physician who can manage a complication, and the risks are explained before you agree.
Whichever clinic you choose, these questions help you understand how the treatment would be set for your skin.
Nothing shrinks a pore; remodelling the collagen around it can make it look tighter and soften shadows.
A needle-based facial relies on the channels it creates, while RF microneedling releases radiofrequency energy at the needle tips inside the dermis.
Who suits RF microneedling, who should wait, and what separates devices: insulated or non-insulated needles, monopolar…
Morpheus8 is one brand of RF microneedling, not a separate treatment. Needle insulation, depth, energy delivery and…
What decides how many RF microneedling sessions you need: scar type and depth, skin type, pigment history, settings,…
RF microneedling downtime in phases: redness and pinpoint marks, tightness and flaking, then review. What is expected,…
RF microneedling for acne scars in Singapore: which of rolling, boxcar, ice-pick, tethered and raised scars respond,…
RF microneedling for enlarged pores in Singapore: what a pore is, which pores respond to dermal remodelling, what no…
Skin boosters with RF microneedling: why the two are combined, which goes first and why, how spacing is set at review,…
RF microneedling in Fitzpatrick III to V skin: why energy released below the surface lowers pigment risk, what…
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Every treatment is performed by Dr Sin Yong personally. Singapore Medical Council registered · invited to share his clinical expertise internationally as a Key Opinion Leader for CLASSYS, DEKA, HIRONIC, FOTONA, ALMA, LUTRONIC and ILOODA · HSA-registered devices · ultrasound-guided correction
Dr Sin Yong's aesthetic clinic in Singapore is on Orchard Road, a short walk from Orchard MRT. More about the aesthetic doctor in Singapore who performs every treatment.
WhatsApp Dr Sin Yong →or use the enquiry formRelated
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Yes, in some plans. On the body, Dr Sin Yong uses the Secret DUO as one part of the 4K Body Lift, his body-sculpting protocol aimed at a compact, pinchable fat pocket and the skin over it. Whether a body area suits RF microneedling depends on what the examination finds: loose skin, fat or heavy excess are different problems. Heavy skin excess is referred for surgical assessment.
It is not a pigment treatment. Insulated needles release heat at the tip and spare the surface, which lowers the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation in Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin. Some devices with a pulsed-wave mode are discussed for redness-adjacent concerns. Where melasma or rosacea is the main problem, it is planned on its own terms rather than treated with RF microneedling alone.
They are often planned together, because they do different jobs. RF microneedling remodels collagen in the dermis; a skin booster acts on hydration and skin quality. Which goes first, and how they are spaced, is set at review rather than in advance. The plan depends on your skin, the booster class and how the skin recovers.
Your skin type, scar types, laxity and pigment risk are examined first. Topical anaesthesia is applied and the skin prepared; most people describe pressure and warmth. Depth and energy are then set zone by zone. Redness and pinpoint marks follow, and progress is reviewed so the plan can be adjusted. Dr Sin Yong performs the treatment personally.
Standard microneedling relies on the needle injury alone to trigger repair. RF microneedling adds radiofrequency energy released at the needle tips, creating controlled thermal zones in the dermis — a stronger remodelling stimulus at a chosen depth. They are related tools, but they are not the same treatment.
It is one of the more workable options for Fitzpatrick III to V because the energy is delivered below the surface rather than through the pigmented epidermis. Care and conservative settings still matter, and your pigment history is part of the assessment.
No treatment honestly promises complete removal. Scars are managed by type: rolling scars respond to dermal remodelling, tethered scars may need subcision first, ice-pick scars often need other approaches. The realistic ceiling for your scars is discussed at assessment.
Topical numbing is used and settings are adjusted to you. Most people describe warmth and pressure. Comfort is checked throughout rather than assumed.
Redness and pinpoint marks are expected at first, and recovery varies with depth and energy used. What that means for your work and event schedule is discussed honestly before treatment, not after.
They answer different problems: lasers work on pigment and surface resurfacing; RF microneedling works on dermal collagen at depth. Some scars want both, staged. The examination decides — not a preference for one machine.
There is no fixed number that applies to everyone. Collagen remodelling is gradual, and scars, pores and laxity respond at different rates, so the plan is reviewed after treatment and adjusted to how your skin is responding rather than set in advance.
Early redness and tightness reflect the healing response, not the result. Collagen and elastin remodelling continue over the following weeks and months, which is why progress is assessed at review against how your skin looked before treatment.
Inflamed acne is usually brought under control first, because needling through active inflammation is the wrong order of work. RF microneedling can form part of a broader acne plan for oily, congested skin, but it is planned alongside medical acne treatment, not instead of it.
Yes, and for many people it should be. Tethered scars may need subcision first, deep ice-pick scars may need TCA CROSS, and some textures benefit from fractional CO2 resurfacing. These are staged sensibly so that each treatment does its own job.
黄金微针 (huáng jīn wēi zhēn) translates as 'gold microneedling', and in English it is usually called gold RF microneedling or simply RF microneedling. The name refers to gold-plated needles, often insulated along the shaft so that heat is released mainly at the tips. The plating is a feature of particular devices; what decides the effect on scars, pores and texture is the needle depth, insulation and energy chosen for each zone, which is the treatment described on this page.
An insulated needle is coated along its shaft, so radiofrequency energy is released only at the exposed tip and the surface and upper dermis are spared; it is generally preferred in darker skin, where post-inflammatory pigmentation is a concern. A non-insulated needle heats along its whole length, which suits broad, shallow texture work. A plan may use either, zone by zone.
Sylfirm X is one brand of RF microneedling device, not a separate treatment. It works on the same principle, needles delivering radiofrequency energy into the dermis, and differs from other systems mainly in its pulsed-wave mode. Dr Sin Yong uses Secret DUO; the comparison above sets out the differences without ranking them.
The cost follows the plan rather than a fixed list. It depends on the area treated, what the assessment finds, the cartridges and consumables used, the number of zones and passes, and whether RF microneedling is combined with laser or scar-release techniques. A written quote is given at consultation after assessment, before anything is agreed, and the consultation decides whether treatment is advised.
It can be a sensible choice for rolling and shallow boxcar scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture and early laxity where dermal remodelling is wanted, including in Fitzpatrick III to V skin. It is not worth pursuing for tethered or deep ice-pick scars on their own, pigment, or deeper jowling, which need other tools. Assessment decides which applies.
No duration is promised. Remodelling is gradual and is judged at review, not in the mirror the next morning. How long the change holds depends on the concern treated, the depth and energy used, your skin, sun exposure, smoking and whether other treatments are in the plan. Review timing and any repeat visits are set at consultation, not fixed in advance.
Expected effects include redness, pinpoint marks and scabs while the skin recovers. Pigmentation can follow if the sun is not avoided, and infection, cold sore flares or scarring in keloid-prone skin are less common risks. It does not release tethered scars, treat deep ice-pick scars alone, clear pigment or lift deeper laxity, and change is gradual.
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Start with a message, not an appointment. Describe your concern on WhatsApp and you will get a straightforward reply about whether an assessment makes sense, before you commit to coming in.
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WhatsApp +65 8023 7170This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Suitability for any treatment is decided at an in-person medical assessment.
1. Davis EC, Callender VD. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a review of the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options in skin of color. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2010;3(7):20-31. PubMed
Medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong, MBBS (NUS), MRCS (Edinburgh) · Last updated 21 October 2026 · Editorial policy