Sessions and aftercare
How many Potenza sessions, and what is the downtime?
The trials cited here used three or four sessions spaced four to eight weeks apart and judged results months after the last one. Expect redness and some swelling afterwards; in one small study, water loss through the skin was back to baseline by day 7.[1] Daily sunscreen and gentle skincare are the core of aftercare.
Written by the Potenza Seoul editorial team and medically reviewed by a Korean Board-Certified Dermatologist (AAD International Fellow · ASLMS member). Last reviewed: .
How many Potenza sessions do people usually need?
There is no fixed number, and the maker says the number of sessions should be set at a dermatologist consultation (Jeisys FAQ, checked 18 October 2026). Recent trials give a realistic range:
- Three sessions eight weeks apart for acne scars, in a randomised trial against fractional CO2 laser.[2]
- Four sessions four weeks apart for acne scars, in a randomised trial using Potenza.[3]
- Three sessions one to three months apart for enlarged pores.[4]
Why wait between sessions? Remodelling continues long after the redness fades: in a histology study of a fractional RF device, heated zones in the dermis were replaced by new tissue by 10 weeks.[5] Mild texture concerns may need fewer sessions; deep or widespread scarring may need more, or added treatments.
What happens on treatment day?
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Consultation and photos | Skin check, medical history, and a plan for tip, depth and mode |
| Numbing | Anaesthetic cream on the treatment area, left to work before treatment |
| Treatment | Passes across each area; heat and pressure with each pulse |
| Aftercare | Soothing product, sunscreen and written instructions |
The maker puts the whole procedure, including numbing, treatment and aftercare, at about one hour. Allow extra time for the consultation on a first visit.
What does the first week after Potenza look like?
| When | What you may notice | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0 | Redness, heat, mild swelling, pinpoint marks | Keep the skin clean; follow the clinic’s timing for make-up |
| Days 1–3 | Dryness, tightness, faint grid pattern | Gentle cleanser, plain moisturiser, sunscreen |
| Days 4–7 | Flaking or a rough feel as marks fade | Do not pick; keep moisturising |
| Weeks 2–4 | Skin looks normal; remodelling continues below | Daily sunscreen; no tanning |
Measurements match this pattern. In a prospective study of 20 patients, water loss through the skin rose over days 1 to 3 after RF microneedling and was back to baseline on day 7, with no lasting change at one, three or six months and no rise in skin sensitivity.[1] The maker says redness usually settles within two to four hours; how long it lasts for you depends on depth and energy.
The FDA lists dryness, rough skin, tightness, redness, itching, peeling, discomfort, burning, bruising, bleeding and crusting among common microneedling effects, and notes that most side effects occur shortly after treatment and resolve (FDA microneedling devices page, checked 18 October 2026).
Aftercare: what helps and what to avoid
- Sun protection. Use sunscreen every day and seek shade. The FDA lists being tanned, or planning time in the sun in the two weeks after treatment, among reasons microneedling may not be suitable.
- Gentle products. Skip retinoids, acids, scrubs and peels until your doctor says the skin is ready.
- Heat and sweat. Leave saunas, hot baths and hard workouts for a day or two, while the skin is still warm and swollen.
- Hands off. Do not pick at flakes or crusts.
- Hydration. Moisturise well. The maker’s own aftercare advice is thorough sunscreen and good hydration.
When should you contact the clinic?
Call the clinic if you notice blisters, open wounds, spreading redness, pus, severe or worsening pain, or a cold sore. The FDA lists cold-sore reactivation and infection among less common microneedling risks and advises providers to consider preventive antiviral medicine for people with a history of cold sores.
Its 2025 notice on RF microneedling reports serious complications, including burns, scarring, fat loss, disfigurement and nerve damage, and does not estimate how often they occur. See what the FDA notice says.
How do you plan Potenza around a trip to Seoul?
- Book the first session early in your stay, so the clinic can check your skin before you fly.
- If you fly within a day or two, pack sunscreen, a gentle moisturiser and the written aftercare sheet.
- If you cannot return for later sessions, ask whether a single session is worthwhile, or whether a doctor at home can continue the course.
- Mention isotretinoin if you have taken it in the past six months. The FDA lists recent isotretinoin as a possible reason to avoid microneedling, while a 2024 systematic review found that the evidence does not justify routinely delaying energy-based treatments, including RF microneedling. The decision is your doctor’s.[6]
When will I see results from Potenza?
Remodelling develops over weeks to months. In a histology study of a fractional RF device, heated zones were replaced by new tissue by 10 weeks, and scar trials assess results months after the final session.[5]
Can I exercise after Potenza?
Light walking is fine. Leave heavy sweating, saunas and swimming for a day or two, until redness and swelling settle.
Is one session of Potenza enough?
The trials on this page assessed results after three or four sessions, so they do not show what a single session achieves.
References
Bibliographic records retrieved from PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
Wu X, Zhang Z, Zhu J, et al. Can Microneedle Fractional Radiofrequency System Treatment Impair the Skin Barrier Function in Chinese Patients? A Prospective Clinical Trial. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022;12(10):2371-2382.
Li W, Zheng C, Yuan X, et al. Comparative efficacy, recovery, and pigmentary safety of radiofrequency microneedling and fractional carbon dioxide laser for facial atrophic acne scars: a prospective randomized split-face trial. J Dermatolog Treat. 2026;37(1):2687842.
Darji K, Zarbafian M, Ishii L, et al. Evaluating the Picosecond 755-nm Alexandrite Laser With Diffractive Lens Array and Radiofrequency Microneedling for the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scarring. Dermatol Surg. 2025;51(9S):S69-S76.
Huang Y, Zheng H, Wu Q, et al. Efficacy and safety of fractional micro-needling radiofrequency for the treatment of enlarged pores on the cheeks of a chinese cohort: a retrospective study. Lasers Med Sci. 2024;39(1):100.
Hantash BM, Ubeid AA, Chang H, et al. Bipolar fractional radiofrequency treatment induces neoelastogenesis and neocollagenesis. Lasers Surg Med. 2009;41(1):1-9.
Xu Y, Wang H, Guo L, et al. Combinations of Energy-based Devices plus isotretinoin for management of acne and acne scars: A systematic review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024;23(10):3090-3101.