The sight of thousands of tiny microneedles rapidly piercing the skin combined with the heat of radiofrequency energy pulsating deep under the surface – it’s enough to make anyone shudder.
As an advanced anti-aging treatment that aims to firm and renew aging skin, Morpheus8 produces transformative results. But one question lingers in the mind of those considering this rejuvenating procedure: does it hurt?
Does Morpheus8 hurt during the procedure?
Yes, Morpheus8 does hurt during the procedure, according to most of our patients’ experience. As the device with protruding microneedles rolls over the skin, it creates a poking, pricking sensation. Patients commonly report stinging, pinching, and heat sensations.
A 2021 article on Cosmopolitan acknowledged that Morpheus8 isn’t the most comfortable treatment. Some also describe an aching, throbbing, or sore feeling during treatment. Thinner and more sensitive areas generally feel more pain than fleshier regions.
The intensity of pain and unpleasantness can range from very mild to more moderate. A few patients have described the Morpheus8 discomfort as severe, especially in delicate areas.
Does the pain from Morpheus8 subside immediately after the procedure?
The pain and discomfort from Morpheus8 typically subsides fairly quickly once the treatment session is finished, based on our observations. Some residual soreness, redness, swelling, numbness, or tingling may persist for a couple of hours afterward.
Most patients experience relief from the stinging and aching within the first half hour after Morpheus8 is completed. The treated skin continues healing over the next 24-48 hours. It is common to feel tenderness and mild irritation for 1-3 days following the procedure, which then resolves.
Why does Morpheus8 hurt so much according to some patients?
There are a few reasons why Morpheus8 may hurt more for certain individuals, according to our experience:
- Higher Sensitivity – Patients with lower pain tolerance and thresholds often report more intense discomfort.
- Treatment Area – Sensitive zones like around the eyes, lips, and bony areas inherently cause more pain when targeted.
- Multiple Treatment Passes – More passes with the device can increase pain sensations.
- Higher Intensity Settings – Using greater needle depth and RF heat naturally amplifies discomfort.
- Individual Skin Type – Thinner and more delicate skin tends to experience more pain.
- Lack of Numbing – Without numbing cream or injections, patients feel much greater discomfort.
- Fresh Treatment Sites – Previously untreated areas may be more sensitive initially.
A 2022 study found that a topical lidocaine cream reduced pain in infants receiving a pneumococcal vaccine, demonstrating the pain-relieving effects of lidocaine.
Does the pain from Morpheus8 vary depending on the treatment area?
Yes, at Good Vibe Medical we have found the level of pain and discomfort does vary depending on the area treated with Morpheus8. Regions with thinner, more delicate skin and fewer fat and muscle layers generally tend to be more painful.
The under eyes, lips, décolletage, and hands are often reported as more uncomfortable. In contrast, areas like the buttocks, arms, thighs, and male chests with thicker skin have greater padding and tend to tolerate the procedure better.
Bony and joint adjacent areas also tend to report more pain due to less cushioning over the nerves and skeletal prominences. Overall, facial areas seem to be more sensitive than most body zones treated by Morpheus8.
Does Morpheus8 body treatment hurt more than the facial treatment?
Morpheus8 treatments on larger surface areas of the body may potentially be more uncomfortable than smaller facial areas. The body tends to have more extensive nerve networks and increased sensitivity in areas like the neck, chest, and abdomen.
Dense, coarse body skin could potentially feel more needle penetrations versus delicate facial skin. However, facial areas like around the eyes and mouth are highly sensitive regions as well. Some individuals report these zones being more painful than their body treatment.
It’s important to note that there is limited research directly comparing pain levels between Morpheus8 treatments on the body versus the face. Ultimately, discomfort levels can vary significantly based on the unique pain tolerance and skin type of each patient, as well as the exact areas treated.
It’s difficult to make definitive comparisons of pain levels for facial versus body treatments. Individual experiences and responses can differ greatly.
Does Morpheus8 hurt more in sensitive skin areas?
Sensitive skin areas do seem to hurt more with Morpheus8 treatments in our experience. Thinner, delicate tissues with many nerve endings tend to report more discomfort.
Areas like the under-eye region, lips, chest, hands, and neck experience more needle penetrations per area making them more painful. The bony under-eye rims and vertebrae have little cushioning, amplifying the poking sensation.
In contrast, fleshy areas like the buttocks and thighs have thicker skin and fat layers with greater padding over bone and nerves. Treating very dry, irritated, or traumatized skin can also lower the pain threshold. So in summary, sensitive, thin-skinned areas tend to hurt the most according to our observations.
How much does Morpheus8 hurt compared to other skin-tightening procedures?
Based on our experience with skin-tightening treatments, Morpheus8 seems to cause moderate to significant pain for most patients. The level of discomfort appears somewhat higher than ultrasound or laser procedures which heat the dermis more gently.
However, Morpheus8 is less painful on average than more aggressive treatments like deep chemical peels. The simultaneous microneedling and radiofrequency make it more uncomfortable than standalone microneedling or RF devices typically.
Even so, pain levels can vary individually based on the settings used and skin sensitivity. Overall, we would rate Morpheus8 as moderately to severely painful for most individuals compared to alternatives. Still, we have to assert that proper numbing allows patients to tolerate the temporary discomfort.
What pain relief is recommended before and after Morpheus8?
At Good Vibe Medical, we recommend the following for pain management with Morpheus8:
Before treatment:
- Apply topical numbing cream containing 20% lidocaine to the treatment areas 30-60 minutes prior to the procedure. This dramatically reduces the pain felt during the session.
After treatment:
- Use over-the-counter oral pain relievers like acetaminophen or anti-inflammatory medications as needed for discomfort.
- Use cool compresses, ice packs, or chilled gel masks to help soothe skin and minimize swelling, redness, and tenderness.
- Apply a soothing, gentle skin care regimen including hyaluronic acid serums, aloe vera, and fragrance-free moisturizers.
- Avoid irritants like retinoids, acids, scrubs, and harsh cleansers in the first few days after treatment.
- Stay well hydrated and get adequate rest to help the healing process.
Does Morpheus8 treatment hurt more without local anesthesia?
Yes, Morpheus8 treatments are significantly more painful without the use of local anesthesia to numb the skin. Topical numbing creams containing lidocaine are extremely helpful, but injectable lidocaine blocks provide more profound anesthesia for Morpheus8 procedures.
The injections block nerve conduction in the targeted areas being treated. By profoundly numbing the dermis and surrounding tissues, the poking and heating sensations are drastically reduced. Patients report far less pain with local anesthetic injections versus numbing cream alone.
However, the injections do add logistical complexity, potential bruising, time requirements, and some additional discomfort from the shots themselves. For this reason, injectable lidocaine is not used routinely unless the patient desires maximum pain control.
But for those unable to tolerate much discomfort, it can make the procedure much more bearable.
Does the Morpheus8 procedure hurt without numbing cream?
Based on our experience, undergoing Morpheus8 treatment without the use of topical numbing cream can be quite painful for most patients. Without this pain relieving cream, patients report the stinging and burning sensations to be dramatically amplified.
Areas like the cheeks, forehead, and neck become highly sensitive to the poking and heating. Smaller treatment sites may be tolerable but numbing cream provides a much more comfortable experience for larger surface areas.
We highly recommend applying a thick layer of topical lidocaine ointment before Morpheus8 treatments.
Does the pain from Morpheus8 last long after the procedure?
For most patients, the majority of the pain experienced during Morpheus8 does not last long once the treatment session is completed. Some residual tenderness, soreness, or minor swelling in the treated area may persist for 24-48 hours after the procedure.
Mild irritation, itching, redness, and sensitivity can last up to 72 hours as the micro-injuries heal.
Rarely, a dull ache or soreness may be felt for up to 5 days by individuals with greater discomfort. Proper aftercare and avoiding irritation of the skin promote rapid healing. So while Morpheus8 can cause moderate pain during the treatment itself, it is temporary and subsides quickly within a day or two.
Do all patients report that Morpheus8 hurts?
No, while a majority of patients do experience significant pain with Morpheus8 treatments, reactions vary widely in our experience. Some individuals report only minimal discomfort, rating the treatments as quite tolerable, especially on fleshier body areas.
These patients may have naturally higher pain thresholds and tolerance. Other factors like optimized device settings, thorough numbing, and emotional support can influence perceptions of pain.
For a small subset of patients, Morpheus8 causes very intense and intolerable pain even with numbing cream. This leads them to discontinue treatment. So there is a wide spectrum of discomfort levels patients report with Morpheus8 treatments.
Can pain tolerance affect how much Morpheus8 hurts?
Absolutely, at Good Vibe Medical we have seen firsthand how individual pain tolerance plays a major role in discomfort levels with Morpheus8. Patients with naturally high pain thresholds and tolerance report less discomfort compared to those at the lower end of the range.
If small tattoos or injections cause someone severe pain, Morpheus8 may be very uncomfortable for them even with numbing. It is important for us to evaluate each patient’s pain sensitivity during consultations to set appropriate expectations.
If someone has very low tolerance, they may not be a good candidate. Optimizing comfort via settings and numbing is especially key for this population.
However, some degree of pain and discomfort during the procedure itself is common. Proper numbing techniques, device settings, and emotional support allow most patients to very tolerably undergo treatments with mild temporary discomfort.
We’re Here to Address Your Morpheus8 Questions and Concerns – Reach Out Now
Managing patient expectations and maximizing comfort helps ensure an optimal experience. At Good Vibe Medical, we are committed to making your Morpheus8 journey as comfortable and effective as possible.
Please contact us to learn more about whether this rejuvenating treatment is right for your needs. Our team is always happy to provide caring, expert consultations.
