Dr Ophelia assesses your skin, including laxity, skin quality, medical history, previous treatments and what you want to improve. Photography may be taken to document your starting point.

This is a dermatological assessment, not a treatment sales appointment. It may conclude that XERF is suitable, or that another treatment would be more appropriate.

The areas to be treated, treatment depth and intensity are planned around your skin. Where more than one concern is present, the plan may involve Xerfico Pro rather than XERF alone.

The skin is cleansed. No numbing cream is needed, and no injections are given.

Ultrasound gel is applied, and the XERF handpiece is worked systematically across the treatment area. Heat builds gradually in passes, then eases between passes.

Most patients describe the sensation as warmth rather than pain.

Treatment time depends on the area. A lower face and jawline treatment usually takes around 45–60 minutes. Larger areas or multiple areas may take longer.

The skin may look slightly pink and feel warm, but this usually settles within a few hours. There is no downtime, and most patients return to normal activity immediately.

You are reviewed as the collagen response develops. Repeat photography may be used so that progress is assessed objectively rather than from memory.

Most patients describe XERF as a warm, comfortable treatment rather than a painful one. It is performed without numbing cream and without injections. The device uses cooling at the skin surface while heat builds in a controlled way.

No. Your skin may look slightly pink and feel warm for a few hours afterwards, but you can wear make-up and return to normal activities, including work, immediately. 

There is usually some immediate tightening from the heating itself. The more meaningful change comes from new collagen and develops gradually, becoming noticeable from around 6–8 weeks, continuing to around three months and reaching its fullest around six months.

Results generally last for a year or more, although they are not permanent because the skin continues to age. Many patients maintain results with repeat treatment roughly annually, depending on their skin.

Many patients achieve a good result from one treatment. Some benefit from a second. This is assessed rather than assumed.

All monopolar radiofrequency devices heat deeper skin layers to stimulate collagen. They differ in how energy is delivered, how many frequencies and depths are available, how the surface is cooled and how much feedback the operator receives. XERF is a multi-frequency device working at two frequencies and three depths, with real-time tissue feedback and integrated cooling.

In suitable patients, yes. The eye area requires particular care, and Dr Ophelia and her team have experience using intraocular eye shields for energy-based and laser treatments around the eyes where clinically appropriate.

Yes. Laxity on the abdomen, upper arms, knees and other areas can be treated. Larger areas take longer, and the plan is built around what is realistic for your skin.

No. XERF improves firmness and skin quality, but it does not remove excess skin or reposition tissue. Where laxity is advanced, a surgical opinion may be more appropriate.

Usually, but timing matters. Your treatment plan should take into account what you have had, where and when.

XERF is generally avoided during pregnancy and in patients with implanted electronic devices such as a pacemaker or defibrillator. Metal implants in the treatment area, active skin infection or inflammation, and some autoimmune or connective tissue conditions need discussion first.

Radiofrequency does not target pigment in the skin, so it is generally considered suitable across skin types in a way that some light-based treatments are not. Assessment is still important, especially if pigmentation is also a concern.

XERF is the radiofrequency treatment on its own, designed to address laxity and firmness. Xerfico Pro is Dr Ophelia’s protocol combining XERF with PicoSure Pro picosecond laser, so pigmentation, tone and texture can be addressed alongside firmness.

Your skin is assessed and your treatment plan is set by Dr Ophelia Veraitch, a Consultant Dermatologist. Treatment is carried out either by Dr Ophelia or by a trained member of her clinical team working to her plan and under her direction.