The Ultimate Guide to EXION & RF Microneedling

Collagen is the scaffolding that keeps skin firm and smooth. From our mid-twenties we make roughly 1% less of it each year, and by our forties the change shows: softer jawlines, crepey necks, lines that stay put after a smile fades.

For a long time the only real answers were surgery, lasers with a week of recovery, or injectables that add volume without improving the skin itself. Energy-based devices have changed that. The most advanced of them work with your body rather than against it, prompting your own skin to rebuild. That’s why demand for EXION radio-frequency needling in Birmingham has grown so quickly.

In this guide, our clinical team at Dermoperfection explain what EXION is, how radio-frequency, microneedling and hyaluronic acid stimulation work together, and exactly what happens before, during and after a session.

What is EXION?

EXION is a multi-applicator skin and body platform made by BTL, the medical technology company behind EMSCULPT NEO and EMFACE. Rather than one device doing one job, it brings several treatments together, each with its own hand piece, and uses built-in artificial intelligence to monitor the skin and adjust energy as it works.

At our Mailbox clinic, the EXION platform covers:

• EXION Face. A needle-free applicator that pairs radio-frequency with targeted ultrasound to boost hydration, firmness and elasticity. It is gentle enough for delicate areas such as around the eyes.
• EXION Fractional RF (RF microneedling). Fine microneedles combined with radio-frequency energy for deeper remodeling of wrinkles, acne scars, stretch marks and texture.
• EXION Body. Radio-frequency and targeted ultrasound with active cooling, used to tighten loose skin and reduce stubborn fat on areas like the abdomen, arms and thighs.
• EXION Clear RF. A resurfacing option for sun damage, uneven pigment and texture.

This guide focuses on the two facial treatments people ask us about most: EXION Face and EXION RF microneedling. Used alone or together, they target wrinkles and skin laxity without the recovery time of surgery or ablative lasers.

The science made simple: Radio-frequency, microneedling and hyaluronic acid

EXION combines three proven ways of waking up your skin’s repair cells, called fibroblasts. Fibroblasts make collagen (for firmness), elastin (for bounce) and hyaluronic acid (for hydration and plumpness). With age and sun exposure they slow down. EXION’s job is to switch them back on.

1. Radio-frequency: controlled warmth that tightens

Radio-frequency (RF) is a form of energy that gently heats the deeper layer of skin, the dermis, without burning the surface. That warmth does two things. Existing collagen fibres contract, giving a subtle tightening you may notice soon after treatment. And the skin reads the heat as a signal to repair, so fibroblasts start producing fresh collagen and elastin over the following weeks and months.

Unlike lasers, RF energy doesn’t target pigment. That generally makes it a suitable option across a wide range of skin tones, which your clinician will confirm at consultation.

2. Microneedling: precision delivery below the surface

Microneedling creates thousands of tiny, controlled channels in the skin, triggering the natural wound-healing response. On its own, it is excellent for texture and scarring. Combined with RF, the needles act as delivery points, carrying heat straight into the dermis where collagen is made while leaving most of the surface untouched.

EXION adds two refinements. It’s AI monitors your skin and adjusts energy pulse by pulse, so each area gets the right dose. And its Extended Mode projects heat beyond the tip of the needle, reaching up to 8mm deep according to BTL. That means deep remodeling in a single pass, with less discomfort than older RF microneedling devices that needed multiple passes.

3. Hyaluronic acid stimulation: hydration from within

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the molecule behind plump, dewy skin, and the main ingredient in many fillers and skin boosters. EXION Face takes a different route. It pairs RF with targeted ultrasound, which creates gentle mechanical stress in the skin. Together they prompt fibroblasts to make more of your own HA.

In BTL’s clinical studies, EXION Face was reported to increase natural hyaluronic acid by up to 224%, collagen by 47% and elastin by 50%. These are manufacturer-sponsored figures, and individual results vary, but they explain why patients describe a fresher, more hydrated look without needles or injections.

Why combining them works

Each technology does a different job. RF microneedling remodels deeper structure and texture. EXION Face restores hydration and elasticity across delicate areas. Many of our patients get the best results from a plan that uses both, timed so each treatment supports the next.

What can EXION treat?

EXION suits people who want firmer, smoother, healthier-looking skin rather than a changed face. At our Birmingham clinic we most often use it for:

• Fine lines and wrinkles, including around the eyes and mouth
• Mild to moderate skin laxity along the jawline, lower face and neck
• Crepey skin on the neck, décolletage and hands
• Acne scarring and uneven texture
• Enlarged pores and dull, dehydrated skin
• Stretch marks and loose skin on the body

Who is a good candidate?

EXION RF microneedling and EXION Face are a popular choice if you:

• Are noticing early to moderate signs of ageing and want to act before surgery is on the table
• Want non-surgical skin tightening with little or no time off work
• Have acne scars or textured skin that hasn’t responded to facials or peels
• Prefer to avoid injectables, or want to improve skin quality alongside them
• Have darker skin and want a resurfacing option with a lower pigment risk than many lasers

It may not be suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a pacemaker or metal implants in the treatment area, have an active skin infection or open acne, or have recently used isotretinoin (Roaccutane). Your clinician will review your full medical history before recommending treatment.

Your EXION treatment: before, during and after

Knowing what to expect makes the whole experience easier. Here’s how a typical EXION RF microneedling or EXION Face appointment runs at our Mailbox clinic.

Before your session

Every EXION journey starts with a consultation. Your clinician assesses your skin, talks through your goals and medical history, and recommends the right applicator, settings and number of sessions.

In the week or two before treatment, we usually advise you to:

• Avoid sunbeds and strong sun exposure, and wear SPF 30 or higher daily
• Pause retinoids, exfoliating acids and scrubs for 3 to 5 days
• Let us know about any cold sores, as we may suggest antiviral medication beforehand
• Arrive with clean skin and no make-up if you can

During your session

EXION RF microneedling

1. Your skin is cleansed and a numbing cream is applied for around 30 to 45 minutes.
2. Your clinician moves the hand piece across each area in a single pass. The AI adjusts energy in real time as it goes.
3. Most people feel warmth and a light prickling or vibrating sensation rather than pain.
4. A soothing product and SPF are applied before you leave.

The treatment itself takes around 30 to 45 minutes, plus numbing time.

EXION Face

1. Your skin is cleansed and a conductive gel is applied. No numbing is needed.
2. Your clinician glides the applicator over the treatment areas, delivering RF and targeted ultrasound together.
3. You’ll feel gentle warmth. Many patients find it relaxing.

A full face session takes around 45 minutes, and eye rejuvenation around 15 minutes.

After your session

EXION Face has no downtime. Your skin may look slightly flushed for an hour or so, and you can return to work straight away.

EXION RF microneedling has minimal downtime. Expect:

• Redness, similar to mild sunburn, for 24 to 48 hours
• Mild swelling and a feeling of tightness for a day or two
• Tiny grid marks on the skin in some cases, fading within a few days

For the best recovery and results:

• Keep skin clean and use only the gentle products we recommend for 48 hours
• Skip make-up for 24 hours
• Avoid saunas, hot yoga, intense exercise and swimming for 48 hours
• Wear a broad-spectrum SPF every day, and avoid direct sun for two weeks
• Leave retinoids and active acids out of your routine for around 5 to 7 days

Results, courses and prices

EXION works with your skin’s natural renewal cycle, so results build gradually rather than appearing overnight.

• EXION Face: many patients notice a fresher, more hydrated look within a week or two. Firmness and elasticity keep improving across the course.
• EXION RF microneedling: skin often looks smoother within a few weeks. New collagen continues to form for 3 to 6 months after your final session, so the best results arrive well after treatment ends.

How many sessions will I need?

One session gives a visible boost, but a course delivers the most noticeable and longer-lasting change. As a guide:

• EXION RF microneedling: a course of 3 sessions, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart
• EXION Face: a course of 4 to 6 sessions, spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart
• Maintenance: one top-up session every 6 to 12 months

Your clinician will tailor this to your skin, age and goals.

EXION prices at Dermoperfection

Course packages give the best value, with EXION Face courses including 2 free sessions.

All prices are subject to consultation. See our full price list.

EXION vs other skin tightening treatments at Dermoperfection:

EXION is one of several premium technologies we use for skin tightening at our city centre clinic. Each works at a different depth and suits a different concern, and many patients combine them.

A popular pairing is ULTRAcel Q+ for deep lifting with EXION for the skin’s surface quality. HIFU tightens the foundations; EXION rebuilds collagen, elastin and hydration in the layers you see. Your clinician will suggest the combination that fits your skin and budget.

Why Choose Dermoperfection:

Where you are treated really matters, RF microneedling uses real energy at real depth. In the untrained hands, it can cause burns, pigment changes or scarring. When choosing a clinic, look for:

• Registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
• Treatment delivered by medically trained clinicians
• Genuine, manufacturer-supplied devices and consumables
• A proper consultation covering your medical history, risks and realistic results

Dermoperfection is a CQC-registered clinic, rated Good in all areas, and all our devices and products are sourced directly from approved manufacturers and suppliers.

EXION radio-frequency needling in Birmingham at Dermoperfection

Dermoperfection is an award-winning medical skin and aesthetics clinic at The Mailbox in Birmingham city centre. With more than 15 years of industry experience and over 50,000 treatments performed, our team of doctors, nurses and advanced practitioners bring together the UK’s leading energy-based devices under one roof, including EXION, ULTRAcel Q+, INTRAcel Pro and EMFACE.

Ready to start? Book a consultation. You’ll get a full skin assessment, a tailored plan and clear pricing, with no pressure to book on the day.

Book your EXION treatment or consultation

Prefer to talk first? Call us on 0121 439 4350 or visit us at Level 2, Unit 56, The Mailbox, Birmingham B1 1RE.