XERF skin tightening
in Oakland, CA
Safe for every skin tone and every season. XERF is the most advanced skin tightening treatment on the market, using radiofrequency to reach the deepest layers of the skin without ever affecting pigment. No risk of dark spots, discoloration, or uneven tone. No downtime. Just firmer, smoother skin like no other treatment can deliver.
Structural skin tightening at multiple depths
Launched in South Korea in May 2024, XERF quickly became internationally recognized. It reflects the Korean beauty philosophy patients are asking for: real collagen stimulation and natural, subtle refinements. And it reaches deeper than microneedling and most skin rejuvenation treatments, working at the structural layers where lift begins.
Now at Mosaic Skin Studio in Oakland, XERF brings this newest technology to the Bay Area. Over 30 precise settings let our practitioners tailor every session to your skin and goals. The result is a gradual, natural lift that still looks completely like you.
Seeking professional guidance? You can meet with one of our expert providers for a free consultation to ensure you choose the right option for your needs.
No needles. No numbing. No downtime.
Your own personalized plan.
Photo gallery
See the visible differences from real patient treatments through our before-and-after gallery.
Real patients. Real results. Individual results vary.
What is XERF?
XERF is the world’s first multifrequency monopolar radiofrequency system, developed by Cynosure Lutronic to deliver non-invasive structural skin tightening without needles, numbing cream, or planned downtime.
The system received FDA 510(k) clearance in the United States in August 2025. Its formal clearance is for dermatologic and general surgical procedures involving electrocoagulation and hemostasis, with skin tightening occurring through controlled soft-tissue coagulation.
What makes XERF different is its ability to combine two radiofrequency frequencies, 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz, within one system. This allows controlled energy to reach shallow, middle, and deeper tissue levels instead of treating every concern at the same depth.
Our providers can personalize treatment using:
Two radiofrequency frequencies
Three treatment depth settings
Ten intensity levels
Real-time impedance feedback
Integrated cooling with every pulse
Throughout your session, XERF measures how your tissue responds, helping your provider fine-tune depth and intensity for your skin and treatment area.
It's also backed by peer-reviewed research. Preclinical studies show how XERF controls tissue temperature and remodels collagen at multiple depths, including deeper fascial layers. Clinical studies have evaluated it for facial laxity, lower-face lifting, comfort, and safety.
For you, that means a treatment grounded in proven radiofrequency science, refined with newer multifrequency technology for greater precision, customization, and comfort.
How much does XERF cost?
We believe in transparent pricing. Pricing above are our current introductory rates for XERF at Mosaic Skin Studio. Most patients see the best results with a series of two treatments, which is reflected in our package pricing*.
Body pricing varies based on the size of the area being treated. Your provider will confirm the exact investment during your consultation, along with any combined-treatment recommendations.
| Treatment Area | 1 Treatment | 2 Treatments |
|---|---|---|
| Full Face + Neck | $2,900 | $4,900 |
| Full Face or Lower Face + Neck | $2,400 | $3,900 |
| Body Area (abdomen, thighs, knees, upper arms, chest) | $1,900–$2,900 | $3,500–$4,900 |
| Hands (add-on) | $1,200 | $2,000 |
*Introductory pricing, subject to change. Pricing reflects treatment only and does not include consultation fees or complementary services.
XERF vs. other skin tightening treatments
← Swipe to compare treatments →
| XERF | Thermage FLX | Ultherapy | Sofwave | Morpheus8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-depth | ✓ | × | ✓ Multiple transducers | × | ✓ |
| No needles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | × |
| No numbing | ✓ | Often preferred | Often preferred | Often preferred | × |
| No downtime | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | × |
| Customizable depth | ✓ | × | ✓ Multiple handpieces | × | ✓ |
| Safe for all skin tones | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | × |
XERF is not the only non-surgical tightening technology, and it is not automatically the right choice for every patient. The main differences between treatments involve the energy source, tissue depth, use of needles, comfort, recovery, and whether the primary goal is tightening, lifting, texture correction, or a combination.
Benefits of XERF skin tightening
XERF uses two radiofrequency (RF) frequencies to reach both superficial and deeper tissue layers. It goes deeper than traditional microneedling depths, with settings tailored to each area.
Treat more than one skin depth
XERF does not intentionally injure or puncture the surface of the skin. Most patients can resume work, exercise, and normal daily activities after their appointment.
Return to your routine immediately
Improve firmness without surgery
XERF supports firmer, smoother-looking skin without incisions, injections, or the recovery required after surgery.
See gradual, natural-looking improvement
Some patients notice an early tightening effect after treatment, but that’s not the magic. Additional improvement develops as the body produces and remodels collagen over the following weeks and months.
Safe for all skin types
XERF uses radiofrequency instead of pigment-targeting light, so it's safe for every skin tone. We chose it as part of our skinclusive approach, making advanced skin tightening accessible to every patient we serve in the Bay Area.
Integrated cryogen delivery cools the skin during each pulse, while Wave Fit pulse technology helps control how energy is delivered. XERF treatments are designed to be performed without needles or topical numbing.
No needles or numbing cream
How XERF works
XERF creates skin tightening through a controlled thermal response beneath the skin. Your treatment works in three stages.
-
Before treatment, your provider evaluates your skin quality, facial or body anatomy, degree of laxity, and desired outcome.
XERF then delivers 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz radiofrequency energy using the treatment depth and intensity selected for the area. Real-time impedance feedback analyzes how your tissue is responding, helping your provider maintain controlled and consistent energy delivery.
Integrated cooling protects and comforts the surface while energy is delivered beneath it.
-
As existing collagen is heated, the fibers contract. Some patients notice an early improvement in firmness or definition shortly after treatment.
This immediate change is only the beginning. It should not be confused with the final result.
-
The controlled thermal response initiates a longer collagen-remodeling process.
Over the following weeks and months, collagen bundles reorganize and the skin gradually becomes firmer and more resilient. This is why XERF results develop progressively instead of appearing as a sudden or artificial change.
Published and manufacturer-supported research has evaluated dual-frequency monopolar RF for dermal temperature regulation, collagen remodeling, and skin tightening.
Who is XERF skin tightening for?
✅ You may be a good candidate if you want:
Firm a softer jawline or address early jowls
Restore support through the cheeks, midface, or under the chin
Tighten loose or crepey skin on the neck, arms, abdomen, or thighs
Improve skin firmness after pregnancy, weight loss, or GLP-1 use
Maintain collagen and firmness as part of a preventive aging plan
❌ XERF is not recommended if you:
Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Have an implanted electronic device such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, neurostimulator, or cochlear implant
Have metal hardware in the treatment area that could interfere with radiofrequency current
Have active dermatologic disease, a history of keloid scarring, active melasma or rosacea flares, or impaired wound healing in the treatment area
Have an uncontrolled systemic condition that could affect how your tissue responds
At Mosaic, we have a team of board-certified nurse practitioners, all trained to deliver advanced treatments safely and precisely.
How XERF works
The face and neck can lose support at different depths and at different rates. XERF allows us to customize energy delivery for the concerns you are noticing instead of treating the entire face in exactly the same way.
-
Noticing that your jawline is not as defined as it used to be?
As support in the lower face weakens, the border of the jaw can begin to soften and early jowls may become more visible. This type of change is not always caused by surface skin alone, which is why superficial treatments may not provide the definition you are looking for.
XERF’s multifrequency energy and adjustable depth settings allow your provider to address both the skin and the deeper structures contributing to lower-face laxity. The goal is a firmer, more defined jawline that develops gradually without filler or surgery.
-
Crepey neck skin, looseness under the chin, and a less defined profile are some of the most common skin-tightening concerns we hear at Mosaic.
The neck can be challenging to treat because its skin is thinner, frequently moves, and may show collagen loss earlier than other areas. Laxity may also exist at more than one tissue depth.
XERF can be adjusted to deliver energy through multiple levels, helping improve the appearance of crepey texture and support firmer contours beneath the chin. Because the skin remains intact, there are no needles or extended recovery.
-
When the midface begins to lose support, the cheeks may appear flatter or heavier, and folds around the nose and mouth can become more noticeable.
Not every patient wants to correct this change by adding volume.
XERF offers an alternative for patients whose primary concern is tissue support rather than volume loss. By stimulating collagen at customized depths, it can gradually improve firmness and restore a more supported appearance while preserving your natural facial character.
-
Fine lines, mild brow descent, and looseness around the eyes can create a tired appearance even when you feel well rested.
The eye area requires conservative, anatomy-aware treatment because the skin is delicate and the surrounding structures are complex. When clinically appropriate, XERF can be customized to improve mild laxity and support a subtly refreshed appearance without changing your natural expression.
Treatment recommendations for this area are made only after an in-person evaluation.
XERF for the body
Skin laxity is not limited to the face.
Aging, pregnancy, genetics, and weight changes can leave areas of the body looking crepey or feeling less firm. Exercise can strengthen the muscles beneath these areas, but it cannot always improve the quality of the overlying skin.
XERF can be used to support collagen remodeling and improve mild to moderate laxity in selected body areas.
-
Loose or crepey upper-arm skin can become more noticeable with age or after weight loss, even when the arms are otherwise strong and toned.
XERF delivers controlled radiofrequency energy beneath the skin to stimulate collagen remodeling. The goal is smoother, firmer-looking skin without incisions or the recovery associated with surgical arm lifting.
-
Pregnancy and significant weight loss can stretch the abdominal skin beyond its ability to fully rebound.
This is common among postpartum patients and patients who have experienced substantial weight loss, including those using GLP-1 medications. XERF may help improve mild to moderate abdominal skin laxity by supporting collagen remodeling at selected tissue depths.
XERF does not repair separated abdominal muscles, remove excess skin, or replace an abdominoplasty when surgical correction is needed.
-
Changes in collagen, weight, and skin thickness can leave the inner or outer thighs looking less firm or more crepey.
XERF can help improve skin quality and mild laxity, creating smoother-looking contours over time. It may also complement a broader body-contouring plan when the primary remaining concern is skin firmness rather than fat.
What to expect during your XERF treatment
-
Before your XERF appointment, arrive well hydrated. Drink plenty of water (at least 2 liters a day) during the 48 hours leading up to treatment, unless you have been advised to restrict your fluid intake.
XERF uses radiofrequency energy to heat targeted layers beneath the skin. Well-hydrated tissue can support more consistent energy delivery and may help make the treatment more comfortable.
Your visit begins with an evaluation of the following:
The areas you want to treat
Your skin quality and thickness
The degree and location of laxity
Your facial or body anatomy
Previous procedures
Medical history
Medications and implanted devices
Short-term and long-term goals
Standardized photographs may be taken so your progress can be assessed consistently over time.
Your provider will then select the treatment tip, depth, intensity, and coverage appropriate for your plan.
-
The XERF handpiece is placed against the skin and moved across the planned treatment area.
You will feel a series of warm pulses. Integrated cryogen delivery cools the surface during treatment, helping maintain comfort without numbing cream. Real-time impedance feedback measures how your tissue responds while your provider delivers the treatment.
Appointment length depends on the number and size of the areas being treated.
-
Your skin may feel warm and appear mildly pink or flushed. Some patients experience temporary tenderness or swelling.
Because the surface of the skin has not been intentionally punctured or removed, you can generally return to your usual activities after leaving the studio.
Your provider will give you aftercare instructions based on the treatment area and any other procedures included in your plan.
XERF recovery and aftercare
XERF is designed to require no planned downtime.
Most patients can return to work, exercise, social activities, and their normal skincare routine quickly. However, your provider may recommend temporarily simplifying your skincare if your skin feels warm or sensitive.
After treatment:
Follow the personalized instructions provided by our team
Use gentle skincare if your skin feels sensitive
Keep the skin hydrated
Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily
Avoid irritating or aggressive treatments until your provider approves them
As with any energy-based medical aesthetic treatment, side effects and complications are possible. Temporary redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, or sensitivity may occur. Less common risks associated with radiofrequency procedures can include burns, blistering, pigment changes, textural changes, or scarring.
When will I see XERF results?
XERF results occur in stages rather than appearing all at once.
-
You may notice a little more firmness or definition right away, while some patients see a more subtle change at first. Both are completely normal. Your skin is only beginning the remodeling process.
-
By the first month, you may start to see smoother texture, better firmness, and early improvement in the treated area. The changes are usually subtle and natural rather than sudden.
-
By three months, the results are typically more noticeable as collagen remodeling continues. This is when many patients begin to see clearer improvement in firmness, contour, and overall skin quality.
Your timeline will be unique to your skin, anatomy, treatment area, and the number of sessions recommended for you.
-
he number of treatments and timing of maintenance depend on:
Your starting degree of laxity
The area treated
Your age
Skin quality
Weight stability
Lifestyle
Hormonal changes
Natural aging
Your desired level of improvement
Our team will create a plan based on your response and goals.
Why choose Mosaic Skin Studio for XERF treatment?
Advanced clinical expertise
Our providers are trained in facial anatomy, laser physics, and modern aesthetic medicine.
We thoughtfully treat different skin tones, facial structures, ages, and aesthetic preferences without applying the same approach to everyone.
Experience with every face
Results that still feel like you
Our focus is subtle, natural-looking improvement that helps you feel refreshed, supported, and confident.
We do not apply one definition of beauty to every patient. Your treatment is planned around where support has changed, the thickness of the tissue, the areas where volume should be preserved, and the result that would look most natural on you.
Personalized treatment planning
Schedule your XERF consultation in Oakland
XERF is available exclusively at our Oakland studio on Piedmont Avenue, conveniently located for patients from Oakland, Piedmont, Rockridge, Berkeley, Alameda, Emeryville, and throughout the East Bay.
Frequently asked questions
-
XERF is available exclusively at Mosaic Skin Studio’s Oakland location on Piedmont Avenue, conveniently serving patients from Oakland, Piedmont, Rockridge, Berkeley, Alameda, Emeryville, and throughout the greater East Bay Area.
-
For Bay Area patients dealing with early to moderate skin laxity, sagging skin, or jowls, XERF offers a non-invasive, non-surgical facelift alternative that fits into busy Oakland schedules with no downtime.on
-
XERF is a radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening device, but it’s still considered a laser since it uses energy to help augment tissue. But it is difference in that it uses thermal RF energy rather than light-based energy to heat tissue and stimulate a tightening response.
-
Yes. XERF is an FDA-cleared device that received 510(k) clearance in August 2025. Previously, it was approved and used in Korea and Canada. Its formal indications are in the face and neck and cover dermatologic and general surgical procedures, involving electrocoagulation and hemostasis, and in aesthetic treatment, skin tightening describes the effects produced through controlled soft-tissue coagulation. Body treatments are not currently FDA-approved at this time but are likely coming in the future.
-
Yes. Because XERF relies on radiofrequency rather than pigment-targeting light, the manufacturer describes it as safe for all Fitzpatrick skin types, though every patient still receives an individualized evaluation.
-
XERF is designed for zero downtime, with no needles and no numbing required. Wave Fit pulse technology and Advanced Integrated Cryogen Delivery cooling work together to keep the skin’s surface comfortable while energy is delivered to deeper layers, though comfort varies by patient and treatment area.
-
Most patients see early tightening after one session, with continued facial rejuvenation, jawline definition, and neck tightening developing over 3 to 6 months as collagen remodels. With proper maintenance, results can last several months to over a year.
-
XERF is better suited to early or moderate laxity, prevention, and maintenance rather than replacing surgery. It may also help improve mild to moderate skin laxity following significant weight loss, including GLP-1-related weight loss, though it cannot remove large amounts of excess skin.
-
Yes, when clinically appropriate, XERF can be paired with neuromodulators, dermal fillers, microneedling, or medical-grade skincare as part of a coordinated plan. Pricing depends on treatment area, size, session count, and whether XERF is combined with another service; you will receive a clear recommendation and cost before moving forward at Mosaic Skin Studio.