While it’s true we can’t turn back the clock and reverse aging altogether, there are steps we can take to look more youthful and fresh. Thanks to today’s ultra-sophisticated technology, we can soothe away signs of aging using various techniques. One such technique is known as radiofrequency (RF) microneedling, which uses a device with teeny tiny needles that, when administered to the surface of the skin, can encourage collagen and elastin production. The final effect? Smooth, supple, younger-looking skin on the neck, face, or body. There are two FDA-approved RF microneedling devices commonly used by professional aestheticians these days, and we want to talk to you about the difference between the two: Potenza vs Morpheus. If you’re curious about Potenza microneedling vs Morpheus, you’re in the right place. So, let’s get rolling and explore the differences between these two non-invasive, anti-aging skincare devices.
Overview of Potenza
If you’re not familiar with Avena Natural Health’s Potenza in San Diego services, then you should know that Potenza is a radiofrequency microneedling device created by Cynosure, a Massachusetts-based creator of energy-based aesthetic and medical treatment systems.
Potenza stands out in the field of aesthetic devices because it is the first of its kind to have four interchangeable needle heads and sizes – each reaching different depths, producing different results according to a client’s needs. Another big difference is that Potenza has the capacity to switch from monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency at either 1 or 2 Mhz (mono frequency goes deeper into the skin than bipolar).
Overview of Morpheus
Morpheus (or Morpheus8) is a newer RF microneedling machine on the market created by the engineers of InMode based in Australia, and it performs the same standard objectives as most microneedling devices.
As with all RF microneedle devices, Morpheus is a tech-driven, anti-aging tool that non-invasively produces microabrasions that, once healed, reveal a softer effect on the skin’s surface, resulting in a smoother, less blemished appearance.
Overview of Morpheus
| Feature | Potenza | Morpheus |
| Optimal energy delivery every single treatment with real time impedance monitoring | ✓ | ✘ |
| High torque adjustable motor for areas such as cheeks and abdomen where skin is thicker | ✓ | ✘ |
| 4-Mode delivery system (monopolar, bipolar, 1 & 2 MHz capabilities) to better treat a broader range of skin concerns | ✓ | ✘ |
| Tiger Tip™ technology, reducing treatment time and enhancing patient comfort | ✓ | ✘ |
| Ultrafine needles and a sophisticated handpiece to treat more tissue at multiple depths, enabling tailored treatments for various skin types and conditions | ✓ | ✘ |
| Needle customization to deliver proven results in fewer sessions | ✓ | ✘ |
| Aggressive tissue coagulation through speed of energy delivery (pulse width) | ✓ | ✘ |
| Advanced cooling features to enhance patient comfort during treatments, making the experience as pain-free as possible | ✓ | ✘ |
| Superior clinical outcomes | ✓ | ✘ |
Potenza vs. Morpheus: Real-Time Impedance Monitoring (RIM)
First off, what is real-time impedance monitoring? RIM is a way to measure and monitor radiofrequency delivery in the tissues. This is essential for technicians because it allows them to see, in real-time, how tissue is responding to the administration of radio frequencies to the skin’s surface. In turn, this allows technicians to have immediate control over the microneedling process, and the ability to make quick adjustments for consistent RF delivery.
What does that mean in terms of our ongoing quest to understand the differences between Potenza vs Morpheus? Simply put, Potenza does have this critical feature, but Morpheus does not. This important monitoring system makes Potenza far more appealing due to its real-time control and instantaneous adjustment capabilities, which the Morpheus device does not possess.
Potenza vs. Morpheus: Motor Adjustability
All RF microneedling machines have a motor to power those ultrafine needles, but when comparing Morpheus vs Potenza machines, the motor capabilities are not created equal.
The Potenza is the clear winner on this front because it has a patented high-torque, adjustable motor with seven different impact settings (it’s the only RF microneedle device on the market with this feature). This is a big bonus because the adjustable motor enables technicians to use a different setting on tighter, thinner skin areas (like the forehead, for instance) and yet another setting for thicker areas (like the cheeks).
Conversely, Morpheus only has a fixed motor. Although this device can alternate between 2mm and 3mm, it doesn’t have an adjustable motor. Therefore, the Morpheus cannot respond to different thicknesses of skin the way Potenza can.
Potenza vs. Morpheus: Delivery System
When we say “delivery system,” we’re talking about how an RF microneedling device transmits different radio frequencies into the skin, and at what intensity that frequency is delivered.
Potenza is yet again an overachiever in its class because it is the one and only device with a 4-mode delivery system, utilizing bipolar and monopolar energy as well as one and two-MHz frequencies. What does that mean for you? It means that Potenza provides far more flexibility and precision in terms of targeting the right amount of RF energy on any given area of the skin. This, in turn, allows technicians to wield more control over the procedure, resulting in optimal success.
Morpheus, on the other hand, is limited to only bipolar and 1MHz frequencies. Is that a deal breaker? When you consider this limitation can be extremely painful on certain skin types (some Morpheus treatment recipients have even resorted to using Percocet or Ativan to alleviate pain after a session) – it’s a very big deal!
To illustrate, Potenza’s ability to produce four different levels of energy is like using the Cadillac of power tools with adjustable capabilities for specific areas. Alternatively, Morpheus’ restricted 2-mode is like using a primitive hand tool which often fails to deliver the proper amount of energy required to yield superior results with minimal pain.
Potenza vs. Morpheus: Needle Customization
As you might expect, the real action is all in the needles as we continue our exploration of RF microneedling machines. You’d think a machine with more needle options would be the clear choice, but that’s not quite the case.
To explain, Potenza has 10 different needle tips that can be customized for different skin areas and types. These tips come in various styles, such as the insulated, semi-insulated, or single tip, which comes in .8mm, .12mm, or .15mm widths. Depending on the desired outcomes, each tip selection can render specific results.
The Morpheus has the option of 12, 24, and 40 tips. You might be saying “Aren’t more options better?” Not necessarily.
Remember what we discussed about RF delivery systems? If you recall, the Morpheus only has two delivery modes (bipolar and 1MHz). While a technician might have a larger array of tips with the Morpheus, the results are still subpar because the RF output works in tandem with the tips. In short, the Morpheus uses insufficient, lateral heat, which is unsafe for darker skin types – regardless of needle customization.
Also, size does matter. Take Potenza’s proprietary Fusion Tip. It’s 23% larger than Morpheus’ largest 40-pin. This allows technicians to push healing topical agents 67% deeper (an ideal scenario for treating acne vulgaris) into the skin than Morpheus.
We should also mention that the Morpheus only has 3 types of insulated tips, and those can only be adjusted in 1mm increments. This means the device doesn’t have the control or dexterity a technician needs to successfully target a specialized area with superior accuracy as the Potenza affords.
Potenza vs. Morpheus: Pulse Width
What’s pulse width? It’s the speed at which the energy is delivered combined with the actual wattage output.
With the Potenza RF microneedling device, the operator has the ability to customize the pulse width as low as 5ms and as high as 500ms. The wattage can also be adjusted with Potenza, allowing the technician to increase or decrease the energy as required. This adjustable control over pulse width also impacts the RF temperature levels, which provides a more focused delivery of energy, allowing for more control over aggressive tissue coagulations.
Alternatively, Morpheus has a pre-set pulse duration of 74ms. That means there’s no way to adjust or control the pulse width. In comparison to Potenza, the Morpheus machine is woefully inadequate in this department because its limited, short pulse can cause significantly more bleeding. This scenario is also inappropriate for darker skin types.
Potenza vs. Morpheus: Single Needle Tip
We can’t give a proper assessment of Potenza vs Morpheus without mentioning Potenza’s single needle tip. It’s unique in that this patented single needle is Health Canada-approved for the treatment of acne vulgaris. In fact, Potenza is (yet again) the only device of its kind with a single needle handpiece that can precisely target and soothe away blemishes in the skin.
Potenza vs. Morpheus: Effectiveness and Results
Now that we’ve covered the primary pros and cons between Potenza RF microneedling vs Morpheus, let’s run down the details so you can get a good idea about their overall effectiveness and the results you might anticipate:
- Potenza proves more effective in customizing the device settings to accommodate different skin types, which delivers more personalized and compelling results than Morpheus’ limited customizable features.
- Morpheus underperforms in precision compared to Potenza due to its lack of adjustable needle depths and pulse widths, limited motor settings, and restricted energy delivery system. Ultimately, Potenza proves more effective with better results due to its ability to supply better accuracy during treatment.
- When it comes to treating deeper wrinkles or severely loose skin, Potenza also outperforms Morpheus. To explain, Potenza has the functionality to penetrate deeper layers than its counterpart, which makes it far a more effective aesthetic tool than Morpheus.
- According to consumer reviews, Potenza treatments significantly improve skin tone, texture, and tightness compared to the Morpheus machine.
- In terms of client comfort, Potenza’s Tiger Tip technology requires fewer passes over the same area, which means reduced treatment time and less discomfort. Potenza also has an advanced, built-in cooling system, which makes clients more comfortable during treatment—something Morpheus does not have.
Potenza vs. Morpheus: Side Effects and Risks
Whether you go with Potenza or Morpheus, each RF microneedle device is considered safe as long as treatment is administered by an experienced and qualified practitioner, such as the certified technicians at Avena Natural Health.
That said, Potenza enjoys a reputation for lower risk factors and fewer adverse side effects than Morpheus. Consumer reviews show that Potenza treatments also produce less hyperpigmentation and little to no scarring because they are superior in precision and control over Morpheus.
Potenza vs. Morpheus: Cost Comparison
Given Potenza’s superior performance and other benefits such as less downtime and exceptional results, you can expect Potenza treatments to be slightly more expensive when compared to Morpheus.
The cost of treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition, location of treatment, and other factors. However, for the sake of cost comparison, let’s take a neck-tightening treatment as an example. With the Morpheus, a one-time treatment for this problem area can cost around $750 – $1200. Alternatively, the same one-time neck treatment can average around $1500 when opting for the higher-performing Potenza microneedling machine.
Ideal Candidates for Each Treatment
Ultimately, both RF microneedle devices can deliver great results, but different skin types and cosmetic objectives can respond better to one treatment than the other. Here’s a breakdown:
Ideal candidates for Potenza treatment:
- Moderate to early signs of aging
- Safe for all skin types
- Texture abnormalities
- Acne
- Dark spots
- Stretch marks
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Targets specific problems such as acne scars, cellulite, and large pores
- Great for sensitive skin
- Individualized, tailored treatment for your specific needs
Ideal candidates for Morpheus treatment:
- Moderate to mild skin sagging
- Sun damage
- Stubborn scars
- Severe stretch marks
- Deep wrinkles
- Deep tissue corrections