XERF is an advanced radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening treatment designed to lift, firm and refine the skin from within. Using dual-frequency monopolar RF, it delivers controlled heat across multiple depths of the skin to support collagen remodelling and improve firmness over time.
XERF was developed by Cynosure Lutronic and is often described as a Korean skin tightening treatment. The system combines two radiofrequency frequencies, 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz, to deliver controlled heating at different depths in a single pass.
At Omniya Clinic, XERF is tailored to your skin, anatomy and goals, helping to soften early jowls, improve jawline definition, tighten the neck and restore a smoother, more supported appearance, without surgery or recovery time.
Written by Raluca Baias, Nurse Prescriber, NMC: 24E1140O
Medically reviewed by Dr Jules Nabet, Doctor, MD BCAM GMC: 4554558
Published 29 June 2026 · Next review 22 August 2027
Discuss your skin goals, treatment areas, suitability for XERF, and the best approach for your results.
| Treatment | Single |
| XERF | Full Face | £2,500 |
| XERF | Full Face & Neck | £2,800 |
Course pricing is confirmed after consultation, once your practitioner has assessed your skin quality, treatment areas, degree of laxity and recommended treatment plan.
Firmness is one of the first things to change. The jawline softens, the area under the chin loses definition, the neck begins to crepe, and the lower face can start to look a little heavier than it used to.
None of it happens overnight, which is exactly why it can be hard to treat. You may not want surgery, and you may not want to look different. You want to look like yourself, only more supported.
XERF is designed for this kind of gradual change. It uses dual-frequency monopolar radiofrequency, combining 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz energy, to deliver controlled heat beneath the skin surface. This energy can be directed across different depths, so each area can be treated according to its structure and level of laxity.
Shallow settings can be used for more delicate areas, middle depths for the mid-face and neck, and deeper settings for looser tissue around the lower face, jowls and under the chin. As the skin’s support layers are warmed in a controlled way, XERF helps stimulate the collagen response that supports firmer, tighter and smoother-looking skin over time.
Integrated cooling and controlled pulse delivery help protect the surface of the skin and keep treatment comfortable. The result is gradual, natural-looking firming: skin that feels more supported, with improved definition, while still moving and expressing naturally.
XERF is a non-invasive skin tightening treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to firm and support the skin without needles, incisions or downtime.
Although it is sometimes referred to as a “XERF laser”, XERF is not a laser. It does not use light energy or resurface the skin. Instead, it uses controlled radiofrequency heating beneath the skin surface to stimulate collagen contraction and longer-term collagen remodelling.
Because XERF is non-ablative, the surface of the skin remains intact. There is no cutting, no injection, and no numbing step, making it a suitable option for patients who want gradual tightening with minimal disruption to daily life.
XERF is suited to early-to-moderate skin laxity and declining skin quality on the face, neck and selected body areas.
It is commonly used for:
If your concern is significant loose skin or advanced sagging, XERF may still form part of a wider plan, but we will tell you honestly if another treatment or surgery would serve you better.
Most radiofrequency treatments deliver energy to a single depth. XERF works at two frequencies across multiple depths, allowing the upper face, mid-face, lower face, jawline and neck to be treated according to what each area needs.
Cynosure Lutronic reports that XERF’s deeper settings can deliver energy to the SMAS layer, the structural plane beneath the skin that is also addressed during surgical facelift procedures. Published histological data has also shown collagen remodelling at multiple depths after treatment.
XERF is not a substitute for surgery and does not produce surgical facelift results. For suitable patients, the aim is to use controlled radiofrequency heating to support collagen contraction and gradual remodelling over time.
Results vary from patient to patient, which is why treatment starts with a consultation. One of our skin specialists will assess your skin, explain what XERF can realistically achieve for you, and build a treatment plan around your anatomy, skin quality and goals.
Shallow energy can be used for more delicate areas, middle depths for the mid-face and neck, and deeper settings for looser tissue around the lower face, jowls and under the chin.
XERF uses integrated cooling and controlled pulse delivery to help protect the skin surface while the radiofrequency energy works beneath it. Most patients describe the sensation as deep warmth rather than pain.
XERF uses real-time skin feedback and adjustable settings, so your treatment can be adapted to your anatomy, skin quality and level of laxity.
varies per patient
XERF treatment cost depends on the area treated, your degree of laxity and whether your practitioner recommends a single session or a course.
At Omniya, pricing is confirmed after consultation because XERF is tailored to each patient. Treating the lower face and jawline may require a different plan from treating the full face and neck.
Your consultation includes:
XERF is not designed to change your face overnight. The aim is subtle, natural-looking improvement that develops as your skin rebuilds its own collagen.
Skin may feel tighter, smoother and more supported
Firmness may begin to improve as collagen remodelling becomes more active
More visible improvement in jawline definition, lower-face firmness and neck texture
Continued improvement in elasticity, firmness and overall skin quality
Results vary depending on age, skin condition, lifestyle, degree of laxity and collagen response. Many patients choose maintenance treatments to preserve their results over time.
XERF is based on monopolar radiofrequency, a technology used in aesthetic medicine to create controlled heating within the skin and support collagen remodelling.
A 2024 preclinical study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology evaluated non-invasive monopolar radiofrequency using the XERF system in a porcine model. The study recorded controlled dermal heating at 50°C, 60°C and 70°C, while skin surface temperatures remained within measured safety limits under the study conditions. Histological analysis showed increased collagen density 30 days after treatment.
This supports the biological rationale for controlled radiofrequency heating and collagen remodelling. Individual results vary, and suitability should always be assessed in consultation.
XERF may not be suitable if you have significant skin laxity that would be better treated surgically, active infection or inflammation in the treatment area, certain implanted medical devices, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It may also be less appropriate if your main concern is acne scarring, enlarged pores, deeper texture change or lost volume. Treatments such as Morpheus8, laser resurfacing, injectables or a combined plan may serve you better in those cases.
Your consultation is designed to confirm whether XERF is likely to achieve the improvement you want. If another treatment or a surgical opinion would suit you better, our team will advise you.
XERF results depend not only on the device, but on the judgement of the person performing the treatment.
At Omniya, your XERF treatment is planned around your anatomy, skin quality and long-term aesthetic goals. We will assess whether XERF is the right option for you, explain what it can realistically achieve, and advise if another treatment would be more appropriate.
Where suitable, XERF may also be combined with other treatments such as injectables, skin boosters, polynucleotides, laser or medical-grade skincare to support a more complete rejuvenation plan.
XERF is designed to improve skin firmness and support by using controlled radiofrequency heating to stimulate collagen remodelling. Suitable patients may notice firmer, smoother and tighter-looking skin over the weeks following treatment.
XERF treatment cost depends on the areas treated and the plan recommended. At Omniya, pricing starts from £2,500 and is confirmed after consultation.
At Omniya, we describe XERF results as typically lasting around 6-12 months because we prefer to set conservative expectations based on individual variation. Some clinics quote longer timeframes, including around 12-24 months, but results depend on age, skin quality, degree of laxity, treatment settings, lifestyle, sun exposure and individual collagen response.
Many patients choose maintenance treatments to help preserve firmness, jawline definition and skin support over time. Your practitioner will advise the most appropriate maintenance plan after assessing your skin and reviewing your response to treatment.
XERF and Ultherapy use different technologies. Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound, while XERF uses radiofrequency across multiple depths. The right choice depends on your skin, laxity and goals.
XERF is needle-free and non-ablative, while Morpheus8 uses RF microneedling. XERF may be better for comfortable, low-downtime tightening, while Morpheus8 may be preferred for texture, pores, scarring or more intensive remodelling.
Most patients describe XERF as warm and manageable rather than painful. No numbing cream is usually required.
Downtime is minimal. You may notice mild redness, warmth or tightness after treatment, but most patients return to normal activities straight away.
XERF is not a fat-reduction treatment. It uses controlled radiofrequency heating to target water-rich dermal and connective tissue rather than to destroy fat cells, and is designed to keep tissue heating within a therapeutic range for tightening and collagen remodelling, below the sustained temperatures associated with fat-cell destruction. The aim is to firm and support the skin while preserving your natural facial volume.
Because radiofrequency does not target pigment in the same way as some lasers, XERF may be suitable for a wide range of skin tones. Your practitioner will assess your skin before treatment and adjust settings accordingly.
Most patients may see improvement after one treatment, while others benefit from a course or maintenance plan. Your practitioner will recommend the right approach after assessing your skin.
No. XERF is often searched for as a “XERF laser”, but it is not a laser. It uses radiofrequency energy rather than light energy to create controlled heating beneath the skin surface and support collagen remodelling.
XERF is best suited to patients noticing early jowls, reduced jawline definition, mild neck laxity, loose skin under the chin or a general loss of firmness, who want a non-surgical treatment with minimal downtime.
XERF may be worth considering if you want subtle, natural-looking tightening without needles, numbing or surgery. It is less suitable if you want a dramatic lift, or have more advanced laxity that would be better assessed surgically.
XERF was developed by Cynosure Lutronic and is widely associated with Korean skin tightening technology. It uses dual-frequency monopolar radiofrequency energy to treat multiple tissue depths.
Most patients experience only temporary redness, warmth or mild tenderness in the treated area, which usually settles within a few hours. Less commonly, some patients notice short-term swelling or skin sensitivity. Your practitioner will discuss the full list at consultation and check for anything in your history that would make XERF unsuitable.
XERF is a non-invasive radiofrequency treatment with integrated cooling and controlled energy delivery. Suitability is assessed at consultation, particularly if you have implanted medical devices, active skin conditions or a complex medical history.
Before XERF, avoid strong exfoliating acids, retinoids and other active skincare on the treatment area unless your practitioner advises otherwise. Please also let us know if your skin is irritated, sunburnt or inflamed on the day, as treatment may need to be postponed.
Most patients return to normal activities the same day. Avoid excessive heat, saunas, steam rooms, intense exercise and strong active skincare for the period your practitioner advises, and use a daily SPF to protect your results.
Many patients have one initial treatment, with maintenance planned around their skin quality, degree of laxity and how they responded. Your practitioner will advise the right interval after assessing your skin at consultation.