The Side Effects and Benefits of Advanced Skin Rejuvenation
Do you ever look in the mirror and notice small, dot-like depressions in your skin that just won’t go away? Known as “grid marks”, these subtle indentations are a common side effect of Morpheus8, one of the hottest new skin tightening treatments on the market. But what exactly causes these grid-like patterns, and are they a cause for concern?
If you’re considering Morpheus8 to fight wrinkles, tighten skin, or address other common skin imperfections, but want to know more about those grid-like dots it imprints, keep reading. This is everything you need to know about Morpheus8’s tell-tale grid marks, explained.
How Does Morpheus8 Work?
Morpheus8 is a revolutionary skin rejuvenation treatment that utilizes microneedling combined with radiofrequency (RF) energy to achieve remarkable results. This advanced technique simultaneously remodels and stimulates collagen in the deeper layers of the skin, addressing concerns like acne scarring, stretch marks, wrinkles, and loose or sagging skin.
Collagen provides structure and suppleness, but its levels decline with age. The treatment triggers the skin to produce new collagen through controlled thermal damage. The radiofrequency heat penetrates deep into the dermal layer where collagen is produced. This stimulates remodeling and regenerates collagen.
In addition to collagen stimulation, the radiofrequency energy generates heat in the deeper tissues like the subdermal fat layer. This causes tightening and lifting effects on sagging or lax skin. The insulated microneedles allow the energy to be focused at customizable depths for optimal results.
Benefits of Morpheus8
Morpheus8 offers several advantages, including:
| Treatment | Benefits |
| Acne Scar Treatment | Highly effective at reducing appearance of rolling, boxcar, and ice pick acne scars by remodeling scar tissue and stimulating collagen production to smooth and plump depressed scars. |
| Stretch Mark Reduction | Significantly improves appearance of stretch marks on areas like abdomen, thighs, and breasts by stimulating new collagen and elastin production to repair dermal tears that cause marks. |
| Skin Texture Enhancement | Great option for correcting uneven skin texture from issues like enlarged pores, fine lines, sun damage, and cellulite. Microneedling allows better product absorption while RF smoothes texture by repairing dermal damage through new collagen formation. |
| Skin Tightening | Provides noticeable tightening and lifting of loose or sagging skin on face, jowls, neck, arms, abdomen, thighs, and buttocks by heating and contracting the deeper dermal layer and stimulating collagen regeneration for natural looking results. |
What to Expect During a Typical Morpheus8 Session
Your provider will first apply a topical numbing cream or injectable numbing medication like lidocaine to make the treatment comfortable. The treatment area will be cleaned and prepped. Morpheus8 uses a handheld device with an applicator tip that contains several tiny insulated microneedles through which bipolar RF energy is delivered into the skin.
Your provider will adjust the tip depth based on your unique needs and treatment area. Shallow 0.5 mm needles are ideal for fine lines, texture, and dark spots. 1-2 mm needles better address deeper concerns like scars and sagging.
In a grid-like pattern, the applicator tip will be pressed into the skin to create the tiny needles into the dermis while simultaneously delivering RF heat into the deeper layers. This stimulated collagen process is what causes the tell-tale grid marks immediately after treatment. Your provider may do 2-3 passes over the treatment area for maximum collagen induction.
Understanding Morpheus8 Grid Marks
Those dotted grid marks that typify a Morpheus8 treatment are short-term effects that demonstrate the RF energy is working at the ideal depth. Each mark corresponds to an insertion point for the microneedles through which collagen stimulation occurs.
Grid marks happen due to a histamine response and increased blood flow to the “microneedled” spots. Being an inflammatory response, mild to moderate swelling, redness and tenderness around the marks is common. Grid marks generally last 1 to 4 weeks depending on the individual and their skin’s healing capabilities.
Other Side Effects
Along with the grid pattern, some minor side effects like the following may present temporarily after Morpheus8:
- Mild swelling and redness for 2 to 5 days
- Skin discoloration and dark spots for 1 to 2 weeks
- Mild bruising, especially on thinner skin areas
- Dryness, flaking, itching and peeling for up to 1 week
Caring for Persistent Grid Marks
While grid marks typically resolve within 4 weeks, some individuals may experience more persistent marks that cause concern. Be sure to consult your provider if the marks haven’t faded after 1 month. They can assess if the marks require intervention.
While grid marks are not the same as scarring, improper aftercare and sun exposure can cause unwanted pigmentation or textural changes. Using healing ointments containing ingredients like vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides and copper can help minimize the appearance of lingering grid marks.
Aftercare Instructions
Closely follow your provider’s aftercare instructions to avoid complications:
- Keep the skin clean and moisturized but avoid active products with retinoids, acids or Vitamin C for 1 week. Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and moisturizer.
- Avoid sun exposure. Use protective clothing, hats, sunglasses and broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen.
- Do not scrub, pick or peel the treated skin. Let any scabbing or flaky skin shed naturally.
- Avoid heat – hot baths, saunas, steam rooms and vigorous exercise for 72 hours.
- Sleep on your back and avoid pressure on treated areas with clothing or jewelry.
- Wait 24 hours to resume normal skin care regime and makeup use. Wait 1 week for chemical peels or laser treatments.
Combination Treatments
While Morpheus8 can be effective as a standalone treatment, it is commonly combined with other modalities:
| Treatment Combination | Benefits |
| Morpheus8 and Dermal Fillers | Pairing Morpheus8 with hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane can synergistically treat issues like under eye hollows, sagging cheeks, smile lines, marionette lines, and lip lines. Morpheus8 firms and lifts while the filler adds volume. |
| Morpheus8 and Chemical Peels | Combining the collagen stimulation of Morpheus8 and the exfoliation of chemical peels enhances results for concerns like acne scars, melasma, photoaging, dullness, fine lines and enlarged pores. |
| Morpheus8 and Secret RF | The Secret RF microneedling system is more superficial than Morpheus8. Alternating the two at different depths induces collagen more thoroughly to better improve texture, scars, fine lines and laxity. |
Consultation and Customization
Because high RF settings can increase side effects in some skin types, a complimentary consultation is recommended to determine if you are a good candidate. Discuss your skin goals, medical history and any conditions like autoimmune disorders that may impair healing. Skin of color requires customized settings to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Your practitioner will tailor the appropriate needle depths, RF energy levels and number of treatment passes to suit your individual needs and maximize results while minimizing adverse reactions like lasting grid marks.
The Takeaway
Morpheus8 offers remarkable rejuvenation by targeting aging concerns at their source – the deeper dermal layer. Safe in all skin types when performed by a qualified professional, the treatment regenerates collagen and elastin for visibly firmer, smoother, more youthful looking skin. While mild side effects like temporary grid marks can occur, proper aftercare ensures optimal healing.
We encourage you to schedule a consultation at Good Vibe Medical to learn more about how Morpheus8 can help you achieve your aesthetic goals with minimal downtime. Our team of experts will be happy to address your questions and concerns, discuss the right treatment plan for your needs, and deliver natural looking results.
