Potenza in Korea is a microneedle RF procedure: a Jeisys handpiece places fine needles into the skin and releases radiofrequency heat at depths of roughly 0.5 to 3.5 mm, prompting the dermis to remodel. A Potenza treatment in Korea normally starts with 30 to 45 minutes of anesthetic cream, followed by about 20 to 30 minutes of needling for the whole face. Expect redness and faint dots for one to three days; flying out the next morning is usually fine. Pores, scars and firmness change gradually over one to three months. Clinics charge per session or per area. This page compares clinics and their prices so the options sit side by side.
Is it for you?
Who Potenza in Gangnam suits, and who should wait
The procedure suits adults whose main concerns sit within the skin itself: visible pores, shallow acne scars, rough or crepey texture and the first signs of softening along the jaw. People who want results without a peeling phase often prefer it to resurfacing lasers, and it is frequently chosen by those with medium or darker complexions.
It does not replace a surgical lift, will not remove deep ice-pick scars on its own and does little for volume loss in the cheeks or temples. Heavy sagging calls for another option.
Usually a good fit
- Enlarged pores on the cheeks or nose
- Rolling or shallow boxcar acne scars
- Rough, uneven or crepey skin texture
- Mild early laxity on the lower face
May be better to wait
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active infection, cold sores or cystic acne on the area
- Pacemaker or metal implants in the treatment zone
- Marked sagging that needs surgery or another approach
Clinics in Gangnam
10 clinics for Potenza in Gangnam
Every clinic below lists Potenza among its treatments. Message a clinic directly.
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2RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam
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5BTQ Clinic
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8Dr. Newcell Clinic Gangnam
9Jiwoo Clinic
10How it works
How a Potenza session runs
The handpiece holds a disposable cartridge of microneedles. Once the needles reach the set depth, radiofrequency current passes from their tips into the surrounding tissue and heats it to the point where collagen contracts and a healing response begins. Insulated needles concentrate heat at the tip and protect the surface; non-insulated ones heat the full track for stronger texture work. The device can run in monopolar or bipolar mode, which changes how widely the heat spreads.
Direct trials of microneedle RF are small but useful. In a 2023 randomized split-face trial in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, Hendel and colleagues gave 15 patients with acne scars one session of microneedle RF on one side and fractional CO2 laser on the other; both sides gained a median of one point in scar texture at three months. Needling caused less redness and surface damage in the first days but was rated more painful. A 2019 randomized trial by Ahn and colleagues in the same journal used a single insulated microneedle with monopolar RF in 63 acne patients and found a significant drop in inflammatory lesions at 12 weeks compared with controls.
For darker complexions, a 2023 review in Dermatologic Surgery by Syder and colleagues pooled 35 studies in Fitzpatrick types III to VI and found a low rate of scarring or pigment change, though many of those studies were of modest quality. In Korea, the dose is shaped by tip type, depth, energy level and passes per area, and those choices also drive how clinics set the price per session or per zone.
Assessment
Pores, scars and laxity are reviewed, the zones are marked, and a cartridge and depth are chosen for each. About 10 minutes.
Numbing
After cleansing, an anesthetic cream is applied under film and left for 30 to 45 minutes, then wiped off fully.
Needling
The handpiece is pressed across each zone in overlapping passes, deeper over scars and shallower near the eyes. Around 20 to 30 minutes for the full face.
Soothing
A cooling mask or calming serum goes on for 10 to 15 minutes, followed by sunscreen and written aftercare.
Potenza compared with other options
| Feature | Potenza | Thermage FLX | Fractional CO2 laser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | RF through microneedles | Monopolar RF through the skin surface | Ablative laser light |
| Working depth | Adjustable, about 0.5 to 3.5 mm | Deep dermis, no needles | Columns from the surface downward |
| Main effect | Pores, scars, texture, mild laxity | Tightening of mild laxity | Resurfacing of scars and texture |
| Sensation | Hot prickling under numbing cream | Deep heat pulses | Stinging heat |
| Typical downtime | One to three days of redness | Little or none | About a week of crusting |
At a glance
Potenza facts
| Device | Potenza by Jeisys, distributed by Cynosure in some markets |
|---|---|
| Energy | Radiofrequency delivered through microneedles |
| Needle depth | Adjustable from about 0.5 to 3.5 mm |
| Numbing | Topical anesthetic cream for 30 to 45 minutes |
| Session length | About 20 to 30 minutes for the full face |
| Downtime | Redness and fine dots for one to three days |
| Usual sessions | Often three, about four weeks apart |
| Results show | Gradually over one to three months |
| Earliest flight home | Usually the next day |
Prices
Potenza cost in Gangnam
Prices below come from the listed clinics' own price lists, before VAT. 10% VAT is added at payment.
Potenza · 300 shots
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $509–$945₩700,000–₩1,300,000 + VATCompare clinicsPotenza · 600 shots
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $1,455₩2,000,000 + VATCompare clinicsInMode FX 10min / Forma 8k
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $138₩190,000 + VATCompare clinicsRecovery
What the days after look like
Warm, flushed skin with a faint grid of dots; mild swelling is common.
Redness fades and light makeup is usually allowed after 24 hours.
Some dryness or flaking; skip retinoids, acids and scrubs.
Collagen remodeling shows as smoother texture and firmer skin; the next session is usually booked here.
Safety
Potenza risks and limits
- Redness, swelling and pinpoint marks for a few days
- Small bruises, especially around the eyes
- Acne flare-ups or cold sore reactivation
- Temporary darkening after inflammation, reported in a minority of studies on darker skin
- Rare burns or lasting grid marks with excessive energy
- Limited effect on heavy sagging or deep volume loss
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Radiofrequency and Radiofrequency Microneedling in Skin of Color: A Review of Usage, Safety, and EfficacyDermatologic Surgery · 2023 · Syder N, Chen A, Elbuluk N · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000003733
A systematic review of 35 studies in Fitzpatrick skin types III to VI that found a low risk of scarring or lasting pigment change with RF and RF microneedling, with transient hyperpigmentation noted in seven studies and limited evidence quality overall.
- Selective Sebaceous Gland Electrothermolysis Using a Single Microneedle Radiofrequency Device for Acne Patients: A Prospective Randomized Controlled StudyLasers in Surgery and Medicine · 2019 · Ahn G, Kim J, Park S, Li K, Kim B · doi:10.1002/lsm.23152
In 63 patients with moderate to severe acne, three sessions of monopolar RF through a proximally insulated single microneedle significantly reduced inflammatory lesions at 12 weeks compared with a control group.
- Fractional CO2‐laser versus microneedle radiofrequency for acne scars: A randomized, single treatment, split‐face trialLasers in Surgery and Medicine · 2023 · Hendel K, Karmisholt K, Hedelund L, Haedersdal M · doi:10.1002/lsm.23655
In a split-face trial of 15 patients, one session of microneedle RF and one of fractional CO2 laser improved acne scar texture equally at three months; the laser caused stronger skin reactions while microneedle RF was rated more painful.
FAQ
Questions about Potenza in Gangnam
What skin concerns is Potenza mainly used for?
It is mainly used for enlarged pores, shallow acne scars, rough texture and mild laxity of the lower face. A single insulated needle can also target oil glands in recurring acne. The doctor matches the tip and depth to each concern. People with several issues often have different depths applied to different zones in one session. Deep rolling scars and fine pores rarely need the same setting.
How long do Potenza results last?
Collagen built after a series commonly lasts many months, and scar improvement tends to hold longer than pore tightening. Aging, sun and acne activity continue, so many people return for one maintenance session every six to twelve months. Results vary from person to person. Daily sunscreen and a stable skincare routine help preserve what the series achieved.
Is Potenza more painful than a CO2 laser?
It can feel more intense during the session, even though recovery is usually gentler. In the 2023 split-face trial by Hendel and colleagues in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, patients rated microneedle RF more painful than fractional CO2 laser, while the laser side showed stronger redness and skin reactions over the next few days. Numbing cream, lower energy near bony areas and short pauses between zones make the needling easier to tolerate.
Can Potenza help active acne, not only marks?
It can, when an insulated single-needle tip is used to heat oil glands directly. In a 2019 randomized trial in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, Ahn and colleagues treated 63 acne patients three times, four weeks apart, and reported significantly fewer inflammatory lesions at 12 weeks than in controls. It does not replace medical acne care, and results vary from person to person, so the doctor usually combines it with a home routine.
How is Potenza different from Thermage FLX?
Both use radiofrequency, but Thermage heats through the surface without needles, while Potenza delivers heat through needles at a set depth. Thermage is generally aimed at tightening, while needle RF also addresses scars and pores. Downtime differs too: Thermage usually leaves little redness, whereas needling leaves a few days of marks. Some clinics combine the two on separate days. The doctor can suggest which one fits your main goal.
What needle depth is used on the face?
Depth is chosen zone by zone, commonly 0.5 to 1.5 mm around the eyes and forehead and 2 to 3.5 mm over cheek scars or the jawline. Thin skin over bone gets shallower settings to limit bruising. The doctor may run two depths in one area for scars. Asking which depths are planned tells you whether the treatment was tailored or run on a single preset.
Can Potenza be done on the neck or body?
Yes, it is used on the neck, stretch marks on the abdomen or thighs, and scarred areas on the back or arms. Neck skin is thinner, so settings are gentler and recovery is slightly longer. Body zones are quoted separately from the face. Allow extra time on the day, since larger areas need longer numbing and more cartridges.
Is it safe to have Potenza with melasma?
It can be done with care, but melasma is easily triggered by heat and inflammation. Doctors usually stabilize the pigment first with topical care or gentle laser toning, then use low energy and fewer passes. Strict sun protection before and after is essential. Anyone with active, spreading melasma should expect the doctor to delay needling or choose another approach. Results vary from person to person.
What should I avoid before a session?
Stop retinoids, exfoliating acids and scrubs about five to seven days before treatment, and avoid sunburn or tanning for two weeks. Tell the doctor about blood thinners, isotretinoin use in the past six months, a cold sore history or recent fillers in the area. Arrive without makeup if possible, since cleansing then takes less time before the numbing starts.
Do clinics offering Potenza in Seoul treat men?
Yes, men commonly have it, often for pores, acne scars and oily skin. Thicker skin and beard areas may need adjusted depths and more passes. Shaving the night before helps the tip glide evenly. Redness is easy to hide under a beard line, which makes a short trip practical, though the same aftercare rules apply.
How do I confirm the device and tips are genuine?
Ask to see the device label and the sealed single-use cartridge before treatment starts. A Jeisys-branded handpiece and a cartridge opened in front of you are the simplest checks. Imitation or reused tips are blunter, heat unevenly and raise infection risk. A clinic comfortable with these questions usually explains its settings openly as well.