I had my very first Potenza treatment—Radio Frequency (RF) Microneedling—at our Waimea clinic with PA Natalie, and I have to say—it was a skin-reviving experience I won’t forget. With my in-laws in town and a packed week of sightseeing, beach days, and family photos, I didn’t exactly plan my skincare downtime perfectly, but I’m still so glad I did it.
What is Potenza?
If you haven’t heard of Potenza yet, it’s a radiofrequency (RF) microneedling treatment that combines ultra-fine microneedles with radiofrequency energy to deeply stimulate your skin’s natural healing response. This combo promotes the production of collagen and elastin, making it a go-to for skin tightening, texture improvement, and overall facial rejuvenation. It’s also highly customizable and safe for all skin types and tones—a huge bonus if you’re dealing with things like acne scars, sun damage, or uneven skin tone.
Full disclosure: I was a little late to my appointment (oops!), so I only numbed for 20 minutes. I definitely recommend giving yourself the full 30–45 minutes if you’re planning to do Potenza, especially if your skin is sensitive. It wasn’t terrible by any means, but the forehead area did sting a bit more than the rest of the face. Thankfully, PA Natalie was amazing—she kept me distracted by chatting about skincare and even gave me a little crash course on Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC). Both are common types of skin cancer that show up frequently in sun-exposed areas like the face, neck, and hands, which made me even more motivated to stay consistent with my skincare and SPF habits.
There are a few pre-treatment guidelines that are really important to follow:
- Avoid retinoids, exfoliants, and sun exposure at least 3 days before.
- No sunless tanners on the treatment area.
- Stay hydrated 48 hours before your appointment—your skin will thank you.
Post-Procedure Management
The actual procedure took about 45 minutes. It felt like tiny, warm pricks across my face—intense in some areas but totally manageable. Right after treatment, I had some redness and slight swelling, which is completely normal. That afternoon, I had visible grid marks from the microneedling pattern, and they stayed faintly on my skin for a few days.
Post-care is crucial with any microneedling treatment, but especially with Potenza. Here’s the lowdown on what I did—and what you should absolutely stick to for best results:
- No makeup for one full week to avoid infection or irritation.
- I used Briotech skin spray nightly and 2-3 times a day for the next 5 days.
- Skipped heavy moisturizers and avoided overusing products for about a week.
- No exfoliants (like retinol or scrubs) or anything abrasive on my face.
- Avoided strenuous workouts and heat for 46 hours post-treatment.
- Stayed away from the pool, ocean, and hot tubs for 7 days (even though my family lives near the water)
- Wore mineral-based SPF 35+ every day to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Despite my rushed numbing and the timing with a packed family visit, I absolutely loved my first Potenza treatment. My skin looks smoother, my pores are tighter, and there’s this renewed brightness to my complexion that I can’t stop noticing. I’ll definitely be going back for more—especially since Potenza works best in a series of 3 sessions spaced about 4–6 weeks apart.
If you’re looking for a non-surgical, non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment that’s powerful, versatile, and doesn’t involve injectables, Potenza RF Microneedling could be your new best friend. Just make sure to schedule it when you have a little breathing room.