Two RF frequencies
XERF operates at 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz. Lower-frequency energy is designed to create a broader, deeper thermal effect, while treatment settings are selected for the anatomy and goal.
XERF treatment Sydney | Chatswood and Hurstville
XERF skin tightening in Sydney for face, jawline and neck
XERF is a non-invasive radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening treatment designed to gradually improve skin firmness, early jowling and softer facial contours. Its two RF frequencies and adjustable depth settings allow treatment to be tailored to the face, jawline or neck rather than delivered as one fixed protocol.
At Medical Aesthetics 360, XERF treatment is considered when mild to moderate skin laxity is contributing to the concern and a subtle, non-surgical change is the goal. It does not replace a surgical facelift, restore lost facial volume or remove significant under-chin fat. The more useful question is whether RF skin tightening addresses what is actually causing the change you see.
EnergyDual-frequency monopolar RF skin tightening
Common areasFace, jawline, lower face and neck
Best matched toMild to moderate laxity and firmness concerns
ChangeGradual and individual, not a surgical result
What patients are usually noticing
Jawline, lower-face and neck laxity can have different causes
Loose or less firm skin is only one part of facial ageing. A softer jawline may also reflect volume change, bone structure, muscle activity or fullness beneath the chin. Neck concerns can involve crepey skin, deeper laxity, platysma bands or submental fullness. XERF facial and neck skin tightening may be useful when reduced firmness is an important part of the picture, but it cannot correct every one of these changes.
- Early jowling or softer lower-face definition
- Cheeks that feel less firm or resilient
- Mild neck looseness or crepey texture
- A preference for gradual, non-surgical change
How XERF works
How dual-frequency monopolar RF skin tightening works
Monopolar radiofrequency passes current between the treatment handpiece and a return pad. Tissue resistance converts that energy into heat. The aim is controlled thermal stimulation of collagen-rich tissue while the skin surface is cooled and monitored.
Adjustable delivery
Three depth modes and ten intensity levels allow treatment to be refined for different facial zones, skin thicknesses and comfort tolerances.
Cooling and monitoring
Integrated cryogen cooling helps protect the epidermis. Impedance feedback and surface-temperature monitoring support controlled energy delivery during each pulse.
Suitability
Is XERF suitable for loose skin and mild facial laxity?
The device name matters less than the diagnosis. Treatment is most convincing when the expected degree of change matches the amount and cause of laxity.
XERF may be considered when
- Lower-face or jawline definition has started to soften
- Face or neck skin shows mild to moderate laxity
- You want firmness support without adding volume
- You prefer a non-invasive treatment with no surface wound
- You understand that improvement is gradual and variable
Another option may be more useful when
- Hollowing or loss of structural volume is the main concern
- Under-chin fat, platysma bands or muscle activity dominates
- Pigmentation, redness, pores or scarring is the priority
- Laxity is advanced enough to warrant a surgical opinion
- Medical history or an implanted device makes RF unsuitable
Treatment areas
XERF treatment for the face, jawline and neck
Areas are not treated in isolation. Mapping considers the transition from cheeks to jawline, the under-chin region and how the neck meets the lower face.
Cheeks
For reduced skin bounce or early laxity through the mid and lower cheek.
Lower face
For skin firmness where early softening is visible around the mouth and jowl area.
Jawline
For mild loss of definition when skin laxity is a meaningful contributor.
Neck
For selected firmness concerns after crepiness, bands and submental fullness are assessed.
Evidence in context
Promising short-term data, with important limits
The best patient information explains both what a study found and what it cannot yet prove.
The first prospective multicentre human study
A 2026 study followed 39 adults who received two dual-frequency XERF sessions, four weeks apart. Clinician ratings and patient satisfaction improved at 30 and 90 days, and the reported treatment effects were mild and temporary, mainly redness and swelling.
- The study was prospective and conducted across four sites.
- It had no control group and the treating investigators scored the results.
- Follow-up ended 90 days after the final session, so durability remains uncertain.
- Device and consumables were supplied by the manufacturer, which also provided a research grant.
These findings are encouraging, but they are preliminary rather than proof that every patient will improve or that XERF is superior to another tightening device.
Read the 2026 XERF study on PubMed
The appointment
What happens during a XERF treatment appointment?
The sequence is straightforward, but the mapping and settings should reflect the patient rather than a generic face template.
Assessment
Skin laxity, volume, contour, medical history, previous procedures and expectations are reviewed.
Mapping
The practitioner identifies zones and avoids areas where another diagnosis or treatment is more appropriate.
RF delivery
Energy is delivered with selected depth and intensity settings. The sensation is usually described as repeated warmth or heat.
Aftercare
Skin response is checked and personalised advice is given for temporary redness, warmth or tenderness.
Results and recovery
XERF results and recovery: gradual firming, not an overnight lift
Some people notice an early sense of tightness, but that should not be confused with the final result. Collagen remodelling develops over time, and the degree of visible change depends on baseline laxity, age, skin quality, treatment settings and individual tissue response.
XERF does not break the skin. Temporary warmth, redness, swelling or tenderness can still occur, and daily activities may need to be adjusted if the area feels sensitive. Review timing and any further session should be based on how the skin settles rather than a fixed package for everyone.
Compare skin tightening options
XERF vs Thermage FLX vs Ultherapy PRIME
These technologies are not interchangeable. XERF and Thermage use monopolar radiofrequency; Ultherapy PRIME uses microfocused ultrasound with imaging. No high-quality head-to-head trial has established a universal winner.
XERF
Energy6.78 MHz and 2 MHz monopolar RF with three depth modes.
Often discussed forCustomised facial and neck firmness, early jowling and comfort-conscious RF treatment.
PerspectiveNewer technology with encouraging early human evidence and limited long-term comparative data.
Thermage FLX
EnergySingle-frequency monopolar RF with surface cooling and established treatment protocols.
Often discussed forBroad skin firming across selected face, eye and body areas.
PerspectiveA longer clinical history may matter to patients who value an established RF platform.
Ultherapy PRIME
EnergyMicrofocused ultrasound delivered at selected depths with real-time visualisation.
Often discussed forBrow, under-chin, jawline and neck concerns where focused ultrasound support is suitable.
PerspectiveA different pathway for selected deeper targets, with its own comfort profile and limitations.
Safety and suitability
What should be checked before RF skin tightening?
Screening matters because monopolar RF sends current through tissue to a return pad. The practitioner should know about implants, skin conditions and recent procedures before settings or treatment areas are chosen.
Tell your practitioner about
- Pacemakers, defibrillators or another implanted electronic device
- Metal implants, threads or previous procedures in or near the treatment area
- Active infection, open wounds, significant irritation or inflammatory skin disease
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, relevant medical conditions or medicines affecting healing
- Recent energy-based treatments, surgery or other facial procedures
Expected short-term effects can include warmth, redness, swelling and tenderness. Burns, blistering, altered sensation, pigment change or an unwanted contour effect are less common but possible. Risk varies with anatomy, skin response, settings and technique.
XERF skin tightening Sydney
Chatswood NSW 2067
Shop 2/15 Dora Street, Hurstville NSW 2220
XERF treatment in Chatswood and Hurstville
MA360 offers XERF skin tightening consultations for Sydney patients at its North Shore and St George clinics. The location changes, but the clinical questions do not: is skin laxity genuinely contributing to the concern, is monopolar RF suitable, and is the expected improvement worth the treatment?
Chatswood clinic
Convenient for Chatswood, Willoughby, Roseville, Lindfield, Lane Cove, Artarmon and the wider North Shore.
Suite 203/38B Albert AvenueChatswood NSW 2067
Hurstville clinics
Convenient for Hurstville, Kogarah, Penshurst, Allawah, Carlton, Oatley, Beverly Hills and the St George area.
41-43 Dora Street, Hurstville NSW 2220Shop 2/15 Dora Street, Hurstville NSW 2220
Frequently asked questions
XERF skin tightening FAQs
General answers for people researching XERF treatment and RF skin tightening in Sydney. Individual advice depends on an examination and review of your medical history.
What is XERF skin tightening and how does it work?
XERF is a non-invasive monopolar radiofrequency skin tightening device that combines 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz energy. It uses adjustable depth and intensity settings, surface cooling and real-time feedback to support controlled heating for selected skin-firmness concerns.
Is XERF suitable for jawline and neck tightening?
XERF may suit early jowling, a softer jawline or mild neck laxity when reduced skin firmness is a meaningful cause. If the contour is mainly affected by bone structure, volume loss, muscle activity, platysma bands or under-chin fat, another treatment or a combined plan may be more appropriate.
XERF vs Thermage FLX: which RF treatment is better?
There is no robust head-to-head evidence proving that one is better for every patient. XERF offers dual-frequency RF and flexible depth settings; Thermage FLX has a longer clinical history. Anatomy, area, expected change and comfort preference all matter.
XERF vs Ultherapy PRIME: what is the difference?
XERF uses monopolar radiofrequency, while Ultherapy PRIME uses microfocused ultrasound with real-time imaging. They heat tissue in different patterns and are selected for different concerns and target depths.
Is XERF skin tightening painful?
Most patients feel repeated warmth or heat, and comfort varies by treatment area and setting. In the small 2026 study, average discomfort was 4.2 out of 10 without anaesthesia. That average cannot predict an individual experience.
How much downtime is there after XERF skin tightening?
There is no surface wound, so many patients can return to routine activities promptly. Temporary redness, warmth, swelling or tenderness can still occur, and less common adverse effects are possible. Personal aftercare should guide activity.
How many XERF skin tightening sessions will I need?
There is no universal number. The published prospective study used two sessions four weeks apart, but a research protocol is not a prescription for every patient. Baseline laxity, area, response and expectations should shape the plan.
When will I see XERF results, and how long do they last?
You may notice an early sense of firmness, but collagen-related change develops gradually. The 2026 study assessed participants at 30 and 90 days after the final treatment. Longer-term durability is still being studied, so there is not yet enough independent evidence to promise how long an individual result will last.
How much does XERF treatment cost in Sydney?
XERF treatment cost depends on the areas treated, the extent of treatment and your individual plan. A consultation is needed to confirm suitability and provide an accurate quote rather than applying one price or treatment package to every patient.
Can XERF be combined with laser or other skin treatments?
Sometimes. A staged plan may address firmness alongside pigmentation, redness, pores, texture or submental contour. Sequencing matters because combining procedures can change skin response, downtime and risk.
Who may not be suitable for XERF radiofrequency treatment?
Suitability requires individual screening. Implanted electronic devices, metal near the treatment area, active infection, open wounds, pregnancy and some medical conditions or recent procedures may make treatment unsuitable or require additional precautions.
Explore related MA360 pages
Skin tightening, comparisons and Sydney clinics
Continue with detailed treatment guides, comparisons and location information across the Medical Aesthetics 360 website.
General information only. It does not replace an individual medical assessment. Suitability, risks, treatment settings and outcomes vary between patients.