Fans of My Therapist Ghosted Me , the number one podcast hosted by Vogue Williams and Joanne McNally, will have heard of Morpheus8. In fact, those of you who don’t listen might have heard of it, too. The beauty world has been abuzz with Morpheus8 for some time now, thanks to its remarkable ability to render contours which have softened, and generally give skin a collagen and elastin boost.
Combining microneedling with radiofrequency technology, Morpheus8 targets a wide range of skin concerns, including wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, and sagging skin. It does this not by injection, but by the use of tiny micro-needles which trigger the skin’s healing mechanisms via micro-tears. Radiofrequency energy is then applied, which heats the tissue and tightens it.
What’s great about Morpheus8 is that it can be used on the face and body, so it is just as good at lifting sagging stomach and knee skin, as it is drooping jowls. Allegedly everyone from Hailey Bieber to Kim Kardashian and Chrissy Teigen are fans, but what exactly happens when you book a Morpheus8 treatment? And how much does it cost? Who does this work for? Morpheus8 tightens and resurfaces, so it covers a multitude of skin concerns. Primarily, people get it for skin texture concerns like acne scarring or sagging skin.
It isn’t recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have active skin conditions like acne or eczema. People who get regular cold sores are recommended to take an antiviral tablet beforehand as it could trigger a breakout. Treatment I attended Le Formulaire, a clinic run by Dr Emma Fanning in Dublin 2.
There, I filled in a medical history form and was assessed to see if I was suitable before a numbing cream was applied to the bottom half of my face and left for 45 minutes. Then came the needles — something I was admittedly nervous about. That 45-minute wait was worth it, however, because my pain levels never went above 2/10.
(For context, I also had my period that day, meaning everything was more sensitive than usual.) I’ve had a myriad of treatments before involving microneedles, and this was by far the least painful. The treatment was about 15 minutes long and, by the end of it, I was, understandably, pretty pink.
That went down totally within about four hours. Afterwards I was sent home with an antiseptic spray, a hydrating serum, and a strict rule to not touch my face for at least 48 hours. I also avoided the sun, as even SPF couldn’t be worn in the 48 hours that followed.
Though my skin felt tight and tingling the next morning, it was very manageable. My jawline certainly felt tighter in the days to follow. By the time I got around to wearing makeup again, the following week, all the tiny bumps I got post-procedure were gone.
And my double chin, something that has persisted in recent years despite how much exercise I did, was gone. I’ll admit it, I was shocked. The pores around my nose and cheeks are also now markedly less noticeable — and the difference between where Dr Emma applied needles (my lower face) and didn’t (just under my eyes) is startling.
Now that I’m out of the aftercare stage, I can see why people rave about Morpheus8. After a single go (three or more sessions are recommended as the ideal number) my skin — particularly in a stubborn, genetic fold under my chin — feels lifted and far tauter. I didn’t imagine I could get a lift like this from something that wasn’t surgery-based.
The pros are clear, but so are the cons. At €900 per session, or €2,250 for a bundle of three, it is pricey. But for those looking to save up to tighten stubborn fat around the jawline, this treatment is really remarkable.
As is my jawline after one iteration..
