Let’s be honest, whether it’s from pregnancy, weight loss, or simply the passage of time, the abdominal area can be one of the most frustrating parts of the body to tone. You’re doing the workouts and eating well but that loose, crepey skin or stubborn pouch just won’t budge. If you find yourself thinking…
“I’m back to my pre-baby weight, but my skin doesn’t feel the same.”
“I lost so much weight but now I have all of this excess skin.”
“No matter how much I work out, I can’t firm this area.”
“I’m not ready (or willing) to go under the knife but I want to feel good in my skin again.”
If this sounds like you, and surgery isn’t something you’re interested in or have the downtime for, there’s another option worth knowing about: Morpheus8 Radiofrequency Microneedling. It’s one of the most effective non-surgical treatments available for skin tightening and tissue remodeling, and it’s become a go-to here at Thistle Medical Aesthetics for clients who want visible, natural-looking results without the scalpel.
Let’s walk through what makes Morpheus8 so powerful, who it’s best for, and what to expect.
Why Morpheus8?
Morpheus8 Body combines two technologies, microneedling and radiofrequency (RF) energy, to stimulate your body’s natural ability to tighten, smooth, and firm the skin. Here’s how it works:
- Microneedling: The Morpheus Body tip utilizes 40 thin gold-coated microneedles that penetrate up to 8mm into multiple layers of the skin creating controlled micro-injuries that stimulate collagen and elastin production.
- Radiofrequency Energy: While microneedling works to boost collagen production, uniform distribution of RF energy through bipolar arrays of microneedle electrodes result in localized heating and coagulation of the tissue to tighten, shrink fat cells, and further boost collagen.
This powerful combination addresses both loose skin and small pockets of stubborn fat, making it ideal for the tummy area especially when surgery feels too aggressive or simply not right for you.
Are You a Good Candidate?
The ideal candidate for this treatment has the following concerns:
- Skin laxity or sagging skin
- Stretch marks or uneven texture
- Crepey skin
- Mild to moderate fat that’s resistant to diet and exercise
What To Expect During Treatment?
During the initial consultation with an aesthetic Nurse Practitioner, we will determine candidacy, understand your goals, and evaluate your skin. Additionally, we will review pre- and post-treatment instructions so that you are prepared and ready to schedule your treatment!
At the beginning of your Morpheus appointment, we will take the first few minutes to review your pre-treatment questionnaire and medical history. We will proceed with applying a topical lidocaine cream that we will leave on for about 30 minutes for comfort. We also offer ProNox (a light analgesic gas) for additional pain management.
After the numbing cream takes effect, we’ll start off with a test area to see how you tolerate it. We like to use the word “spicy” to describe the sensation as most patients report mild discomfort, but feel it is tolerable for the duration of the treatment.
The treatment itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Afterward, you may notice some redness or mild swelling, which is totally normal. While most people are able to return to their regular activities within a day or two, we recommend allowing up to 2 weeks of ‘social downtime’ as your skin fully heals and settles.
When Will You See Results?
Collagen remodeling is definitely a gradual process so your best results will build over time. Most clients see significant improvement after a series of 3 sessions, spaced about 6 to 8 weeks apart. We typically recommend an annual maintenance treatment to top off your results. Depending on your skin’s laxity, texture, and thickness, results may vary for each patient.
It’s Not Just for Tummies
While Morpheus8 is an excellent treatment for tightening the abdomen, it’s also incredibly versatile and can be used on other areas where skin may appear loose or less firm, including:
- Face and neck*
- Arms
- Buttocks
- Above the knees
- Décolleté
*For more delicate areas like the face and neck, where the skin is thinner and we want to preserve natural volume, we use a specialized Morpheus8 Face tip. This tip features 24 ultra-fine, gold-coated microneedles that penetrate up to 5mm to deliver effective results without compromising your skin’s structure.
Let’s Help Bring Back Your Confidence
Everyone deserves to feel confident in their body! If loose, crepey skin or stubborn fat around your midsection is affecting how you feel in clothes (or out of them), and you’re not ready to commit to surgery, Morpheus8 Body offers a powerful, non-invasive alternative. Schedule a consultation with one of our aesthetic Nurse Practitioners here so we can assess your skin and determine if you’re a good candidate for this treatment!
