Home · Treatments · XERF
Skin tightening · Pleasanton & Sunnyvale
XERF skin tightening in Pleasanton
In short
XERF tightens the face, jawline and neck gradually. No needles, no numbing, and nothing to recover from.
It works by delivering radiofrequency at 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz, so heat reaches shallower and deeper tissue rather than concentrating at one level. Because it uses radiofrequency rather than light, it does not target melanin, so it suits a wider range of skin tones than laser-based tightening.
Why we chose XERF
We already had Ultherapy, Thermage and Potenza, each of which does something the others do not. What we wanted was balanced heating across a region rather than energy concentrated at one depth, delivered by sliding as well as stamping.
XERF fills that gap. It is the treatment we reach for when someone wants gradual improvement rather than a focused lift, and when downtime is not something they can accommodate.
How it works
Different radiofrequency frequencies deposit energy at different depths. A single-frequency system concentrates its heating at one level. Running 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz allows the energy to be distributed through shallower and deeper tissue in the same treatment, rather than treating one plane and hoping the rest follows.
When we recommend it
- Early to moderate laxity through the lower face, jawline and neck
- Patients who cannot take downtime
- Patients who want to avoid needles
- Deeper skin tones, where light-based tightening carries more risk
- Patients for whom Ultherapy was uncomfortable or is not the right depth
When we would choose something else
Significant established sagging is a surgical concern, and no energy device substitutes for that. We would also avoid treating over active skin infection, during pregnancy, or near implanted electronic devices.
If you want one focused lift along the jaw, Ultherapy is usually the better answer. If you want the whole lower face to feel firmer, XERF usually is.
What to expect
Treatment is comfortable enough that numbing is not required. Most patients describe it as warm. You can return to normal activity immediately. Collagen remodelling is gradual, so results develop over roughly two to six months rather than appearing at once.
XERF compared with our other tightening options
| XERF | Ultherapy | Thermage CPT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Radiofrequency at 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz | Microfocused ultrasound | Radiofrequency at 6.78 MHz |
| How it is delivered | Stamping and controlled sliding | Focused at set depths | Stamping |
| Comfort | Adjustable cryogen cooling | Felt at depth | Cooling with vibration |
| Often chosen for | Broader firmness across a region | Targeted lifting | Volumetric tightening in a single treatment |
Potenza sits apart from these three. It delivers radiofrequency through microneedles, so it treats texture and scarring alongside firmness, at the cost of several days of recovery.
Common questions
How is XERF different from Thermage?
Both are monopolar radiofrequency. Thermage runs at a single frequency and is delivered by stamping. XERF runs at 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz and is delivered by sliding as well as stamping, which distributes heat differently through the tissue. We have both, so the choice is made at consultation.
How long do XERF results take?
Collagen remodels gradually, so firmness develops over roughly two to six months rather than appearing at once. There is nothing visible on the day beyond mild warmth.
Is XERF safe for darker skin tones?
It uses radiofrequency rather than light, so it does not target melanin the way lasers and IPL do. That removes the main mechanism behind pigment-related complications and makes it usable across a wide range of skin tones.
Medically reviewed by Seth Eberlin, MD, Medical Director at Essential Bella. Last reviewed 18 September 2026. General information, not a substitute for an in-person assessment.