Potenza RF Microneedling in Seoul: What It Can and Cannot Do for Acne Scars and Pores

What kind of device is Potenza?

Potenza is a radiofrequency (RF) microneedling device made by Jeisys Medical, a medical device company based in Seoul. According to the file submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it works at a radiofrequency of 1 MHz or 2 MHz and can be used in either monopolar or bipolar mode.¹ The system consists of a main unit, handpieces, sterile single-use needle tips, a pad placed on the body for monopolar mode, and a foot switch. The needles can reach a depth of up to 4.0 mm.¹

Put simply, a tip holding a cluster of very fine needles is placed on the skin, the needles enter to a set depth, and radiofrequency heat is delivered through them. What makes it flexible is that needle depth, energy and the way the current flows can all be adjusted for the area and the concern being treated.

How is RF microneedling different from plain microneedling or plain radiofrequency?

The names sound alike, but each one affects the skin differently.

• Microneedling: needles make tiny punctures only. Collagen forms as these small wounds heal.
• Radiofrequency without needles: the skin surface is cooled while the dermis is warmed broadly from the outside. This is the approach covered in our 10THERMA radiofrequency lifting guide.
• RF microneedling: the needles enter the skin first and release heat right where they are. Instead of broadly heating the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), heat is concentrated at a chosen depth in the dermis (the layer below that gives skin its firmness).²

The FDA file explains that in monopolar mode the current flows from the needle tip toward the pad on the body, and in bipolar mode it flows between neighboring needles inside the tip, with no pad.¹ This is not a setting the patient chooses, but it does mean that two people both having "Potenza" may be treated with quite different settings depending on the area and the goal.

What happens inside the skin?

When radiofrequency current passes through tissue it creates heat, and that heat can coagulate the tissue.¹ Potenza creates this heat only in small zones around the needle tips. Once the needles withdraw, tiny needle marks remain on the surface, with small heated zones left at even intervals below.

What RF microneedling does inside the skin

Replay

1. 1Needles go inseveral very fine needles enter the skin to a depth set for the area and the concern
2. 2Heat at the tipsradiofrequency current flows through the needles, creating small heated spots in the dermis around each tip without broadly heating the epidermis
3. 3Small heated spots remainonce the needles withdraw, only tiny needle marks are left on the surface, with evenly spaced heated spots below
4. 4The change over monthsas those spots heal, new collagen is gradually laid down and texture and firmness slowly improve

The real change starts after that. As the small heated zones heal, new collagen is produced and the dermis is gradually rebuilt. A review that gathered 42 RF microneedling studies using stricter designs, such as randomization or blinded assessment, concluded that this remodeling is slow and progressive, yet continues even 6 months after treatment.²

In other words, a depressed scar does not fill in on the day of treatment. Over a period of months, the skin underneath becomes a little denser, and the surface texture gradually follows.

What concerns is it used for?

Of the 42 studies in that review, 14 were on skin ageing (fine lines and firmness), 7 on acne scars and 6 on acne itself, with others on stretch marks and underarm sweating.² In Bonita Clinic's list of devices, Potenza is also listed for scars, pores and firmness.

But the single phrase "acne scars" covers scars of very different shapes. So depending on the shape, Potenza may be the main treatment, or it may be the finishing step that refines texture after other treatments.

If your skin looks like this

• 1Pores look large and texture is rough

  Shallow RF microneedling tends to suit this well

  Potenza

• 2Scars are shallow with soft edges

  Potenza over several spaced sessions, or with laser

  Potenza · laser

• 3Openings are narrow and deep like a pick

  Punch techniques first; Potenza to finish

  Punch · Potenza

• 4Broad, wave-like depressions

  Releasing the tethered floor or filling comes first

  Subcision · filling

• Enlarged-looking pores and rough texture: RF microneedling at a shallow depth, working on the upper dermis, tends to suit this well. In a study of 22 people with enlarged cheek pores who had three sessions 1 to 3 months apart, the average score on a six-grade pore scale fell from 3.55 to 2.59.⁶ That is roughly one grade lighter.
• Shallow scars: for scars that are shallow or have gently sloping edges, a common plan is several spaced sessions of Potenza alone or combined with laser.
• Narrow, deep scars (ice pick scars): the narrow channel runs deep into the dermis, so treatments that refine the surface have limited effect on their own. Methods such as punch techniques, which cut the scar out, are considered first, and Potenza is used afterwards to smooth the surrounding texture.
• Broad depressed scars (rolling scars): bands of fibrous tissue under the skin pull the floor down, or volume has been lost. Releasing those bands or filling comes first. These methods are covered in detail in our subcision and filler guide.
• Firmness and fine lines: skin ageing is the use with the most studies.² It does not lift a sagging contour, however, so if sagging comes from fat or the deeper SMAS layer, other methods are considered as well.

How to tell scar shapes apart in the mirror, and the order of treatment for each, is covered separately in our guide to acne scar types.

Does one session really fill in depressed scars?

This is the most common misconception about RF microneedling. Potenza gradually rebuilds the dermis to refine texture and shallow unevenness. It does not detach a scar floor that is tethered to the tissue below, replace lost volume, or remove narrow deep scars.

What to know about Potenza

What you often hearWhat studies and documents show

One session fills in depressed scarsA little texture change each time, built up

Deep needles fix deep scars tooTethered scars need release first

Pores disappearPore scores drop by about one grade

Needles mean less painPain scores were relatively high

One study measured directly how much a single session changes. In 15 people with moderate to severe acne scars, two similar areas of the face were chosen: one was treated once with RF microneedling, the other once with CO2 fractional laser. On a blinded assessment, where the graders did not know which side was which, the scar texture score (0 to 10) improved by a median of 1 point with both methods after 3 months. The largest improvement was 3 points, seen in 10% of the treated areas.³

Put simply, this is not a treatment that changes things dramatically in one go. Small improvements build up over several sessions, so the number of sessions and the spacing are planned from the start.

How is it different from ablative lasers such as CO2 fractional?

Both are "fractional" methods: they create tiny, closely spaced injury zones in the skin to drive healing. The difference is where those zones are made. CO2 fractional laser uses light to remove tissue in very thin columns, starting from the skin surface. Potenza sends needles into the skin and releases heat at their tips in the dermis, leaving the surface largely intact apart from tiny needle marks.

Same skin, different injury: CO2 fractional vs Potenza

Replay

1. 1The same scarred skinboth are 'fractional' methods: they create tiny, closely spaced injury zones that drive healing
2. 2CO2 fractionallaser light removes tissue in very thin columns starting from the skin surface, leaving heat around each column
3. 3Potenzaneedles enter and release heat at their tips in the dermis, leaving the surface largely intact apart from tiny needle marks
4. 4Days later, months laterin a study comparing one session of each, redness at 2 to 4 days was greater with CO2, pain during treatment was greater with RF microneedling, and texture change at 3 months was similar

In the 15-person comparison study above, the two methods differed more in recovery and pain than in texture change.³

• Redness and loss of skin barrier integrity (measured by how much water escapes through the skin) at 2 to 4 days were more pronounced with CO2.
• Pain during treatment was greater with RF microneedling: 7.0 versus 5.5 on a 10-point pain scale.
• Texture change at 3 months and satisfaction (a median of 6 out of 10) were similar.

This table is not about which device is "better". Depending on how much downtime you can take, your skin tone and the shape of your scars, one may be chosen, or the two may be planned in alternation. Differences between lasers are summarized in our UltraClear vs CO2 fractional guide.

Is pigmentation really less likely?

If your skin is on the darker side, brown marks after heat treatments (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) are a natural worry. Radiofrequency does not target pigment such as melanin, and RF microneedling does not broadly heat the epidermis, so it has long been expected to carry a lower risk of this.⁴

A systematic review of 35 studies in people with medium to dark skin (Fitzpatrick types III to VI) found that 7 studies reported temporary hyperpigmentation, 1 reported mild hyperpigmentation that lasted longer, and 1 reported lasting scarring.⁴ The authors concluded that the risk seems low, while noting that many of the studies lacked strong-quality evidence.⁴

In plain terms, "less likely" does not mean "never". Sun protection and keeping irritation down after treatment still matter.

How many sessions, and how far apart?

There is no fixed number, but studies typically used 3 to 4 sessions spaced weeks to months apart.

• Acne scars: in a study of 31 people with skin types III to V who had four sessions 6 weeks apart, scar grades improved by two grades in 80.64% and by one grade in 19.35%, assessed 3 months after the last session.⁵ It was a retrospective study without a control group, which limits how far the numbers can be taken.
• Enlarged pores: the 22-person study above used three sessions 1 to 3 months apart.⁶
• Pace of change: collagen remodeling is described as continuing for up to 6 months after the last session.²

What follows a single session

1. Treatment dayRedness, swelling, tiny needle marks
2. A few daysRedness settles, texture calms
3. A few weeksNext session set after checking progress
4. MonthsCollagen changes continue gradually

Shortening the interval does not make results come faster. The basic rule is to wait until the treated skin has fully recovered before the next session. Session numbers and spacing for scar treatment in general are covered in our scar laser sessions and intervals guide.

How is it done, and what is recovery like?

The usual flow is as follows. The order and details may vary with the area and the condition of your skin.

1. After cleansing, the scars and pores are mapped and numbing cream is applied.
2. Needle depth and energy are set for each area. On scars, treating the scar floor first and then passing over the whole area was also the technique used in research.³
3. The tip is pressed onto the skin one spot at a time and moved along.
4. The skin is soothed and cooled at the end.

Even with numbing cream, treatment tends to hurt. In the pore study the average pain score was 6.42 out of 10,⁶ and in the comparison with CO2, RF microneedling was rated as more painful.³ If it becomes too painful, say so straight away. Settings and pauses can be adjusted.

Afterwards you may have redness, swelling and tiny dot-like needle marks. Side effects reported in the acne scar study were temporary pain, redness, swelling and hyperpigmentation.⁵ Bonita Clinic's laser information also notes that, depending on the device and intensity, redness or flaking may last a few days. Sun protection, avoiding harsh cosmetics and scrubs, and plenty of moisturizer are the basics of aftercare.

How we approach it at Bonita Clinic

Treatment options you can discuss in Seoul

At Bonita Clinic near Nonhyeon Station (Line 7, Exit 8, about 100 m on foot), acne scars and pores are planned around the shape and depth of each scar rather than a single device. Options you can discuss include:

• Potenza RF microneedling for pores, shallow scars, texture and firmness
• Fractional, CO2, pico and vascular lasers for surface texture, pigment and redness
• Punch techniques for narrow, deep scars
• Adhesion release (subcision) for tethered rolling scars, and fat grafting for broad depressions

Which of these makes sense, alone or together, depends on the mix of scar shapes on your face, and is decided after an in-person examination.

Why do the plan and cost differ from person to person?

Two people asking for "Potenza" can end up with quite different plans. The main factors are below.

What shapes your Potenza plan

• Areas to treat (cheeks, temples, forehead)
• Mix of scar shapes and depth
• Combined with punch, subcision or laser
• Needle depth and energy
• Number of sessions

Final plan after an in-person exam

• Treatment area: a small patch on the cheeks or the whole face changes the scale of treatment.
• Scar shapes: if ice pick or rolling scars are part of the picture, other methods are added before or alongside Potenza.
• Combination: whether punch techniques, subcision, fat grafting or lasers are planned in the same course.
• Depth and energy: adjusted to skin thickness and how deep the scars are.
• Sessions: how many sessions are likely to be needed, and how far apart.

The final plan, including cost, is explained after your skin has been examined in person.

What can photos show, and what needs an in-person exam?

Photos sent before your visit help us understand your concerns and narrow down the options. Some things, however, can only be judged by examining the skin directly.

Photos vs in-person examination

Photos can show

• Where the scars and pores are
• Roughly how large and how many
• How visible the pores look
• Redness or brown marks

Needs an in-person exam

• How deep each scar goes
• Whether the scar floor is tethered
• How much volume has been lost
• How thick the skin is

Photos taken with light coming from the side, so that depressions cast a shadow, are the most useful, along with a front view in even light. Let us know about any scar treatments, lasers or RF treatments you have had, and when.

Planning your visit and recovery

Potenza does not involve incisions or stitches, and most people return to daily life on the day of treatment. Redness and tiny needle marks can last a few days, so it helps to leave some room in your schedule before important events. Because changes build up over months and several sessions are usually planned weeks to months apart,⁵⁶ much of the improvement will appear after you return home. If Potenza is combined with punch techniques, subcision or fat grafting, recovery depends on those treatments instead. Your schedule is planned together at the consultation, based on what is being treated and how your skin recovers.

Frequently asked questions

Does Potenza hurt a lot?

Treatment starts after numbing cream, but a prickling, hot sensation is common. In studies, pain scores for RF microneedling were in the 6 to 7 range out of 10, and in one study they were higher than for CO2 fractional laser. How much it hurts varies with the area, needle depth and the person, so tell us straight away if you are uncomfortable.

Exactly how much will my scars improve, and after how many sessions?

There is no number that can be promised. Studies generally reported scar grades improving by one or two grades after 3 to 4 sessions, and in a single-session comparison the texture score improved by about 1 point. Response varies widely with scar shape, depth and whether the floor is tethered, so the number of sessions is planned after the scars have been sorted at your first examination.

Once pores shrink, can they widen again?

The pore study looked at changes after three sessions, and there is little data following people for years. Pores continue to be affected by oil production and by changes in skin firmness with age, so if they bother you again over time, a new care plan is often made.

Can I have it while I still get breakouts?

RF microneedling has also been studied for acne itself. Still, when there are many inflamed spots, calming the inflammation first is often the priority. The amount of new breakouts and any medication you take are reviewed together to decide when to start.

Can I go back to normal activities straight after?

Most people return to daily life the same day. Redness and tiny needle marks can last a few days, so let us know about any important events at your consultation and we will help you time treatment around them. If you notice anything unusual, such as oozing or pain that lasts, contact the clinic right away.

What to prepare before your consultation

• Photos of the scars and pores taken with light from the side (so depressions are visible)
• The types, dates and number of scar treatments, lasers or RF treatments you have had
• Whether brown marks have lasted after heat treatments before
• Any acne medication you take or apply

How we treat acne and pore scars by cause and depth is explained on our acne and pore scar page, and skin laser devices and aftercare on our Sculpio page. Why scars can remain after laser alone is covered in acne scar treatment when laser results are limited.