Hey, y’all! This is Dr. Wright at Rejuvenate. I get asked about this all the time, so I wrote this blog! I hope you enjoy the info!!
The short version, from me to you: Both Secret RF and Morpheus 8 use RF microneedling to build collagen and tighten skin. The real differences come down to needle type, depth adjustability, and what your practice is built around. Secret RF uses gold-plated needles that reach 0.5mm to 3.5mm in 0.1mm increments, so I have fine control on the body. Morpheus 8 goes up to 4.0mm in 0.5mm increments. After the FDA issued a safety communication about RF microneedling on the face, we shifted our Secret RF use predominantly to the body, where it shines on post-pregnancy and post-weight-loss skin laxity. For facial skin tightening, we prefer Ultherapy, because the ultrasound image lets us see exactly where we’re delivering energy. If you’re asking me which RF microneedling device wins on the body, Secret RF, hands down. If you’re asking about face skin tightening, Ultherapy.
Secret RF vs. Morpheus 8 at a glance
| Feature | Secret RF | Morpheus 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Needle type | Gold-plated; insulated or non-insulated (we mostly use insulated) | Coated, insulated shaft |
| Depth range | 0.5mm to 3.5mm | 0.5mm to 4.0mm |
| Depth adjustment | 0.1mm increments | 0.5mm increments |
| What we use it for | Abdominal laxity, post-pregnancy and post-weight-loss skin, other body areas | Not in our practice |
| Pain level | Mild to moderate (topical numbing, lidocaine for deepest settings) | Moderate (topical, sometimes nerve block) |
| Downtime | 1 to 2 days of redness | Up to a week |
| Typical series | 2 to 3 sessions | 2 to 3 sessions |
| Cost per session (Austin) | $1,000 to $1,300 | $800 to $2,000 |
| Results timeline | Visible ~4 weeks, peak 6 to 9 months | Visible ~4 weeks, peak 3 to 6 months |
Below is the full breakdown of how these two devices differ across the things that actually matter: the technology, the treatment areas, the pain, the cost, and why I made the call I made.
Technology Overview
Secret RF:
Secret RF is a microneedling device combined with radiofrequency energy to address skin laxity, fine lines, wrinkles, and scars. It operates using adjustable needles that penetrate the skin at different depths, delivering RF energy directly into the dermis. This stimulates collagen production, improving skin texture and elasticity over time. Secret RF offers customizable treatment depths and intensities, making it suitable for a wide range of skin types and conditions. The depth goes to 3.5mm, which makes Secret RF ideal for remodeling the deep dermis and creating skin tightening. Secret RF comes in both insulated and non-insulated needle tips, and we mostly use the insulated tips in our practice. The Secret RF needles are smaller than Morpheus 8’s, but there are more of them, so we can deliver the same energy and create the same controlled injury with less discomfort. That matters, because the injury itself is what stimulates collagen production. For the deepest treatments, we often recommend lidocaine injections to make them comfortable.
Morpheus 8:
Morpheus 8 is another advanced RF microneedling device that also targets the deeper layers of the skin. Morpheus penetrates up to 4mm into the skin with a slightly larger thermal profile. This allows the provider to use Morpheus for body sculpting. Why didn’t we go with this option?? Well, at these depths it is painful without a nerve block. CoolSculpting is way more effective for body sculpting and more comfortable by leaps and bounds. CoolSculpting does not require anesthetic and can treat large areas.
CoolSculpting is King in Bodysculpting and we are one of Austin’s top providers. If I sound enthusiastic about it, I am!! My whole philosophy about aesthetics revolves around getting you great results with a low risk profile. Between CoolSculpting for body contouring and Ultherapy for deeper facial work, Morpheus 8 never earned a place in our practice. We don’t have it, and we didn’t want it. For RF microneedling on the body, Secret RF does the job better anyway (more on that below).
One more service I am passionate about delivers energy at that depth and that is Ultherapy. Ultherapy is the gold standard for facial skin tightening. I can see where I am delivering this energy on the ultrasound image for Ultherapy. Ultherapy treats 1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.0mm depths all with a visual component. Tempted to combine Ulthera and Secret RF?? You should be! Ultherapy on the face, Secret RF on the body, that is the special sauce for results and safety.
Treatment Areas
Secret RF:
After the FDA issued a safety communication about RF microneedling on the face, we shifted our Secret RF use predominantly to the body. It’s our go-to for abdominal skin laxity after weight loss or pregnancy, and we use it for other areas of body skin laxity as well. We often discount Secret RF for our Ultherapy patients for ultimate results, since the two treatments pair beautifully on different parts of the body. Learn more about Secret RF at Rejuvenate Austin.
Morpheus 8:
Morpheus 8 is marketed for both facial and body treatments. We do not use Morpheus 8 at Rejuvenate. For deeper facial tightening we prefer Ultherapy, because we want a visual component guiding the energy at those depths.
Customizability and Precision
Secret RF:
Secret RF offers a high level of customizability with adjustable needle depths ranging from 0.5mm to 3.5mm, allowing practitioners to tailor the treatment based on the specific needs of the patient. This flexibility makes it a great option for treating various body areas and skin conditions. The real reason I prefer Secret RF over Morpheus 8 for body work isn’t depth. Honestly, the depth difference between 3.5mm and 4.0mm is negligible when your goal is skin tightening. The real difference is the needles themselves: Secret RF’s are smaller, and there are more of them, which delivers the same collagen-building injury with better comfort. Secret RF is also adjustable by increments of 0.1mm, which is a nice bonus for precision work.
Morpheus 8:
Morpheus 8 is adjustable in increments of 0.5mm from depths of 0.5mm to 4.0mm.
Pain and Downtime Secret RF vs. Morpheus 8
Secret RF:
Secret RF treatments are generally well-tolerated with minimal discomfort. A topical anesthetic is usually applied before the procedure to reduce any pain, and we offer lidocaine injections for the deepest settings. Downtime is minimal, with most patients experiencing mild redness and swelling for a day or two, allowing them to return to normal activities quickly.
Morpheus 8:
Morpheus 8 treatments can be slightly more uncomfortable due to the deeper penetration of the needles. However, this discomfort is managed with topical anesthesia, and in some cases, nerve blocks may be used for more extensive treatments. Downtime varies depending on the intensity of the treatment but is typically slightly longer than Secret RF, with redness and swelling lasting up to a week.
Results and Longevity
Secret RF:
Results from Secret RF treatments are typically seen within 4 weeks as collagen production increases, with optimal results appearing after 2-3 sessions. The improvements in skin texture and tightness can last for up to 12 to 18 months, depending on individual skin type and the aging process.
Morpheus 8:
Morpheus 8 often shows result in the same time frame, and collagen production and metabolism are based on the individual, so longevity of the results should be similar.
Cost of Secret RF vs. Morpheus 8
Secret RF:
The cost of Secret RF treatments typically ranges from $1,000 to $1,300 per session, depending on the treatment area. We have savings built into our packages and often run specials on Secret RF. In addition, all Ultherapy patients get 50% off Secret because we believe in that combo soooo much!!
Morpheus 8:
Morpheus 8 treatments are generally more expensive, with prices ranging from $800 to $2,000 per session, largely due to the device’s ability to go deeper. We addressed above why that is not really something we were interested in for Rejuvenate.
Secret RF vs. Morpheus 8 and why I chose Secret RF
Both are used on patients with moderate skin aging concerns and body skin laxity. Both modalities have skin tightening properties. My whole motto in aesthetics is getting amazing results with the lowest risk, even though Secret RF is less marketed than Morpheus 8. After the FDA’s safety communication on RF microneedling on the face, that low-risk framing became even more important, and I redirected our Secret RF work predominantly to the body. On the body, the reason Secret RF wins over Morpheus 8 is the needles: smaller, and more of them, producing the same collagen-building injury with more comfort. The depth difference between 3.5mm and 4.0mm is negligible when you’re tightening skin, so the needle design is what actually matters. Add CoolSculpting Elite for body contouring and Ultherapy for facial skin tightening, and we cover the full spectrum without needing Morpheus 8 in the practice. See our full Secret RF service page for pricing, packages, and what to expect.
Who should get Secret RF vs. Morpheus 8?
Pick Secret RF if: you’re dealing with abdominal laxity from weight loss or pregnancy, or body skin laxity in general; you want the shortest downtime possible; or you’re already doing Ultherapy or CoolSculpting and want a treatment that plays nicely with them on the body.
Pick Morpheus 8 if: your primary goal is deep body contouring with a single device and you’re okay with a longer recovery window. In our practice, we’d point you to CoolSculpting Elite for body contouring and Secret RF for body skin laxity instead.
Honest take: most patients asking me about these two are thinking about body skin laxity, and Secret RF wins there. If you’re here about facial skin tightening, Ultherapy is the call. That’s not a push, that’s just what I’ve seen work best.
Which is Right for You?
At the end of the day, Secret RF and Morpheus 8 are more alike than they are different. The way safe practitioners use them is going to be so similar. I think it is way more important to choose the right medical spa. A doctor should be involved, and your care should be overseen by the doctor or a midlevel provider. What are midlevel providers? Physician Associate/Assistant or a Nurse Practitioner are considered midlevel providers and have prescriptive authority. These are invasive medical procedures. If you visit a medical spa and only see an aesthetician for invasive procedures, you must ask yourself “Is this worth the risk?”.
Secret RF vs. Morpheus 8 FAQ
Is Secret RF or Morpheus 8 more painful?
Morpheus 8 is typically more uncomfortable because the needles go deeper, and some providers add nerve blocks for larger treatments. Secret RF is usually well-tolerated with topical numbing alone, though we offer lidocaine injections for the deepest settings so the treatment stays comfortable.
How many sessions do I actually need?
Both treatments work best as a series of 2 to 3 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. You’ll start seeing changes around the 4-week mark, with full collagen remodeling building over 3 to 9 months.
Do you use Secret RF on the face?
After the FDA’s safety communication on RF microneedling on the face, we shifted our Secret RF treatments predominantly to the body. For facial skin tightening, we recommend Ultherapy, which uses ultrasound imaging so we can see exactly where energy is being delivered.
Can I combine RF microneedling with other treatments?
Yes. At Rejuvenate Austin we pair Secret RF (body) with Ultherapy (face) often. Ultherapy patients get 50% off Secret RF because we believe in that combo so much. We don’t recommend combining RF microneedling with deep chemical peels or aggressive lasers in the same month. Your skin needs recovery time between stressors.
Ready to rejuvenate your skin? Schedule your complimentary consultation at Rejuvenate Austin today, and let us help you figure out whether Secret RF, Ultherapy, or CoolSculpting Elite is the right fit for your skin goals.
