Pure radiofrequency energy is primarily used to treat skin laxity by facial tightening and is best suited to clients of any skin color with mild to moderate sagging of facial tissues, usually those in their mid-30s to 50s. It is commonly used to treat the forehead, under eyes, cheeks, mid-face, jawline, and neck. Based on current radiofrequency technologies, most clients see at least a mild improvement in their skin tightness, with minimal risks and downtime compared to surgery.

RISKS AND POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS
As the treatment is carried out, clients will experience brief, deep heating sensations every time the radiofrequency energy is delivered to the skin and its underlying tissue. As each client's pain tolerance and threshold varies, it is difficult to quantify how painful or uncomfortable a treatment may be. This factor also depends on the device used and the power settings for the treatment. The most frequently reported side effects of treatment with radiofrequency energy are edema, erythema, bumps, and blisters on or around the treated area, which typically disappear within a few days or weeks.

One of the most serious potential complications from radiofrequency energy treatment is a depression of the skin. This side effect is attributed to the overheating of underlying tissues, causing fat atrophy or excessive tightening and giving the client a sunken appearance in the affected area. Generally, although further studies and more available data is needed, it is considered that there is a correlation between the occurrence of these depressions and the treatment being given at frequency levels above the manufacturer's guidelines. It is, therefore, imperative for the skin care professional to make sure that they are adequately trained and certified to perform the radiofrequency treatment.

PROBLEMATIC CANDIDATES
As long as the client is generally healthy and does not have any skin diseases or infections in the area being treated, there are few medical reasons why a client should not undergo this treatment.

Clients with sensory disturbance to the skin may not be considered good candidates as this condition could make the reporting of discomfort during the procedure unreliable, leading to potential harm.

Although there is no evidence that this treatment is harmful for pregnant women, clients should be advised to wait until after giving birth before embarking upon a course of treatment.

More importantly, clients with electrical devices or implants such as pacemakers, artificial metal hip joints, heart valves, or dental plates cannot be treated because radiofrequency current flowing through the body may interfere with these devices or heat up the implants, which could be dangerous.