Written by Dr. Adriene Chee, Medical Director, Verve Clinic. Last updated 30 September 2026.
Your jawline is not as sharp as it was. The skin under your eyes has turned crepey, and the acne marks from your twenties still show in side lighting. You search for “RF microneedling” and find a dozen machine names: Morpheus8, Potenza, Sylfirm X, Profound Matrix. Every one of them promises new collagen. So which one should you trust with your face?
In short: Matrix, sold until recently as Profound Matrix, is an FDA-cleared radiofrequency (RF) platform from Candela in the USA. It combines three technologies: RF microneedling (Matrix Pro), needle-free fractional RF resurfacing (Sublative) and infrared plus RF heating (Sublime). The Matrix Pro handpiece delivers energy through 49 ultra-fine needles at up to three depths in a single insertion, and adjusts to your skin’s resistance as it works. At Verve Clinic, a course is 3 sessions, 4 to 6 weeks apart, with 1 to 2 days of pinkness, and every session is performed by a medical doctor.
Below is what Profound Matrix is, how it compares with the other RF devices you may have read about, what it can and cannot do for the three concerns we treat most, and what a session involves.
What is Matrix (Profound Matrix)?
Matrix is a radiofrequency skin platform made by Candela, the American company behind the PicoWay laser we also use. It launched in February 2023 as Profound Matrix and is now sold simply as Matrix, so you will see both names online. In August 2024 the US FDA cleared its Matrix Pro handpiece for the treatment of facial wrinkles, adding to its earlier clearances.
The idea behind RF microneedling is simple. Fine needles enter the skin and release short pulses of radiofrequency heat at their tips. Each pulse creates a tiny, controlled heat zone in the dermis, the layer where collagen is made. Your skin responds as it would to any small injury: it repairs itself, laying down new collagen and elastin over the following weeks. The heat also contracts existing collagen, which is why some firmness shows early.
Three details set Matrix Pro apart from basic microneedling:
- Ultra-fine needles. Each disposable tip carries 49 needles in a 7 by 7 grid, each only 0.16 mm across (34 gauge). Candela describes them as the thinnest on the market. The needles are semi-insulated, so most of the heat is released below the surface rather than at it.
- Up to three depths in one insertion. The needles fire first at the deepest setting (2.4 to 3.5 mm), then again at a middle and a shallow depth as they withdraw. Each depth has its own energy level, so the deep layer can be treated firmly while the thinner upper layer is treated gently.
- Real-time impedance monitoring. Skin resists electrical current differently from area to area, and even from one pass to the next. Matrix reads that resistance with every pulse and adjusts, so the energy that reaches your skin stays consistent.
One machine, three technologies
Profound Matrix carries three handpieces, each working at a different depth and with a different amount of downtime. That lets us build a plan around your skin rather than around a single setting.
| Handpiece | How it works | What we use it for at Verve | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matrix Pro | RF microneedling: 49 ultra-fine needles deliver short pulses of RF at up to three depths in one insertion | Skin tightening, fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, stretch marks | Pinkness for 1 to 2 days |
| Sublative | Needle-free fractional RF: a grid of pins sends RF into the dermis, creating tiny zones of repair while leaving the surface largely intact | Skin quality and texture, superficial scars, fine lines | Minimal; mild redness |
| Sublime | Infrared light plus RF gently heats the dermis as a whole, with no needles | Lifting and firming, and maintenance between courses | None |
The handpieces can be used on their own or combined. A typical example: Matrix Pro along the jawline and lower face for laxity, with Sublative across the cheeks for texture.
Profound Matrix vs Morpheus8, Potenza, Sylfirm X and HIFU
The short answer: all of these are established devices that stimulate collagen, and none is right for everyone. They differ in how they deliver energy, how deep they reach and which concern they handle best. Here is how they compare.
| Device | How it delivers energy | Treatment depth | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matrix (Candela) | Short-pulse RF through 49 semi-insulated 34-gauge needles, plus needle-free Sublative and Sublime handpieces | Up to 3 depths in one insertion; deepest 2.4 to 3.5 mm | Layered treatment of laxity, lines and scars, with real-time impedance monitoring |
| Morpheus8 (InMode) | Bipolar fractional RF microneedling; Burst mode fires at several depths in one pulse | Up to 4 mm on facial tips; deeper tips for the body | Deep remodelling and contouring of the lower face and body |
| Potenza (Cynosure) | Monopolar and bipolar RF at 1 or 2 MHz, with insulated and semi-insulated tips | 0.5 to 4.0 mm | Four RF modes in one device |
| Sylfirm X (Viol) | Pulsed-wave and continuous-wave RF microneedling | 0.3 to 4 mm | Pulsed wave targets abnormal vessels, so it is often chosen for melasma and rosacea |
| HIFU | Focused ultrasound, no needles | Deep supporting layer (SMAS), around 4.5 mm | Lifting deeper tissue; does little for texture, pores or scars |
Where Profound Matrix pulls ahead is precision. It sets up to three depths, each with its own energy level, in a single insertion (a feature Candela describes as one of a kind). It reads your skin’s resistance with every pulse, and it pairs RF microneedling with needle-free resurfacing and no-downtime lifting on one platform. For skin that needs tightening, smoothing and scar repair at the same time, that combination is why we chose Matrix over the alternatives.
What matters most is the doctor holding the handpiece, because settings, depth and technique shape the result as much as the machine does. It also matters that the device suits your concern: melasma and redness point towards a pulsed-wave device, and deep lifting on its own towards HIFU.
Why we chose Profound Matrix at Verve Clinic
Every device in the table above has its place. These are the reasons Profound Matrix earned a place in our treatment room.
It is kind to Asian skin. Radiofrequency heats tissue without targeting pigment, which is why RF microneedling carries a lower risk of pigmentation than many resurfacing lasers. Matrix adds consistency on top of that: because it adjusts to your skin’s resistance with every pulse, it helps avoid the uneven heating that can trigger darkening. In our patients, we have not seen post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after Matrix. We still set energy with care and ask for strict sun protection afterwards.
Each layer gets its own setting. Deep laxity needs firm energy; thin skin near the surface needs a gentle touch. Setting three depths with three energy levels in one insertion lets us treat both properly, rather than compromising on a single setting.
One plan can cover several concerns. Most of our patients have more than one worry: a softer jawline, crepey under-eyes, some old scarring. With three handpieces we can address them in one course, and choose how much downtime you can afford.
It is comfortable. Ultra-fine needles, numbing cream and air cooling during treatment keep most patients at ease. You will feel warmth and light prickling.
Your doctor does it. Some clinics hand RF microneedling to a therapist. At Verve, every Profound Matrix session is performed by a medical doctor, who assesses your skin and adjusts depth and energy area by area during the treatment.
Sagging skin, tired under-eyes and acne scars: what can Matrix do?
These are the three concerns that bring most people to us for Profound Matrix. Here is what to expect for each, including where it is not enough on its own.
Sagging skin and a softer jawline
From our thirties, the skin loses collagen faster than it makes it. The jawline softens, the lower face starts to droop and the neck loosens. Matrix Pro works at its deeper settings along the jawline, lower face and neck, where the heat contracts existing collagen and prompts new collagen to form. Firmness builds gradually over 2 to 3 months.
Profound Matrix suits mild to moderate laxity. Heavy jowls or significant sagging need more lift than any RF device can give, and we will tell you so at your consultation. For some patients, pairing Matrix with a deeper lifting treatment such as HIFU is the better plan.
Before and after Matrix RF microneedling. Individual results vary.
Tired, crepey under-eyes
The skin under the eyes is the thinnest on the face, so it shows collagen loss early as crepiness, fine lines and mild puffiness. Because Profound Matrix sets each depth separately, we can use shallow, gentle settings here and firmer ones on the cheeks in the same session. Over the course, the under-eye skin looks smoother and firmer.
If your main concern is a hollow tear trough or dark shadowing, the area needs support that RF cannot add. An injectable such as Deusaderm LIDO, or other collagen biostimulators, is usually the better first step, with Matrix to improve the skin over it.
Before and after Matrix RF microneedling. Individual results vary.
Acne scars
When a deep acne spot heals, the collagen beneath it is damaged and not fully rebuilt, leaving a dent in the skin. Matrix Pro rebuilds collagen under rolling and boxcar scars, softening their edges so they catch less light. Sublative helps with shallow scars and the rough texture around them.
Scars are rarely one type, so we often pair Matrix with other treatments, chosen according to the scars you have.
What is the Profound Matrix treatment like?
Your first visit starts with a consultation and skin assessment, where we decide which handpieces, depths and areas suit you. On treatment day, numbing cream goes on first. The treatment itself feels like warmth and light prickling, with air cooling to keep you comfortable. We finish with a soothing mask for 15 to 20 minutes to calm and hydrate the skin.
| Treatment time | 60 to 75 minutes |
| Comfort | Numbing cream beforehand and air cooling during treatment |
| Downtime | Pinkness for 1 to 2 days; most people wear makeup the next day |
| Course | 3 sessions, 4 to 6 weeks apart |
| Results | Visible tightening within weeks, with fuller results at 2 to 3 months |
| Longevity | 12 to 18 months in our experience, with good aftercare |
The early firmness comes from heat contracting existing collagen. The lasting change arrives as new collagen forms, and it builds across the course, which is why we recommend completing all three sessions before judging the result. Afterwards, keep to gentle cleansing, a soothing moisturiser and strict sunscreen for at least two weeks, and pause actives such as retinoids until the skin settles.
Is Profound Matrix right for you?
Profound Matrix tends to suit women and men who are bothered by any of the following:
- Mild to moderate sagging along the jawline, lower face or neck
- Crepey skin, fine lines or mild puffiness under the eyes
- Rolling or boxcar acne scars, and the rough texture around them
- Enlarged pores and uneven skin texture
- Stretch marks
- A preference for gradual, natural change with short downtime
We postpone treatment during pregnancy and during an active acne flare or skin infection in the area. RF is also unsuitable for people with a pacemaker or other implanted electrical device. A proper assessment by a qualified doctor is the only way to know whether Profound Matrix suits your skin and your medical history.
Profound Matrix: frequently asked questions
Is Profound Matrix the same as Matrix?
Yes. Candela launched the system in 2023 as Profound Matrix and now sells it as Matrix. It is the same platform, with the same Matrix Pro, Sublative and Sublime handpieces. In Chinese it is often called 翡翠电波.
Is Matrix better than Morpheus8?
Neither is better for everyone. Both are established RF microneedling devices. Matrix stands out for setting up to three depths with separate energy levels in one insertion, real-time impedance monitoring and three handpieces on one platform. The right choice depends on your concern, and on the doctor’s settings and technique.
How many Matrix sessions will I need?
We recommend a course of 3 sessions, 4 to 6 weeks apart. Collagen builds with each session, so the full course gives a better and longer-lasting result than a single treatment.
Does Matrix hurt, and is there downtime?
Numbing cream and air cooling keep most patients comfortable; you will feel warmth and light prickling. Afterwards, most people look pink for 1 to 2 days and can wear makeup the next day.
How long do Matrix results last?
In our experience, results last 12 to 18 months with good aftercare. You will notice firmer skin within weeks, with fuller results at 2 to 3 months as new collagen forms.
Is Matrix safe for Asian or darker skin?
Yes, with the right settings. RF energy does not target pigment, and Matrix adjusts its energy to your skin with every pulse. In our patients, we have not seen post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after Matrix. Strict sunscreen after treatment is still essential.
How much does Matrix cost in Malaysia?
The handpieces, areas and number of sessions vary from person to person, so pricing is tailored to your plan. WhatsApp us and we will walk you through the options and arrange a consultation for an accurate quote.
Firmer, smoother skin, built from your own collagen
A softer jawline, crepey under-eyes and old acne scars are common, but they are not something you have to live with. Profound Matrix treats each layer of the skin on its own terms, so the result looks like your skin, only firmer and smoother.
Curious whether Profound Matrix is right for your skin? WhatsApp us to find out more and arrange a consultation, or see the full details on our Matrix RF microneedling treatment page.
About the author
Dr. Adriene Chee is the Medical Director of Verve Clinic in Petaling Jaya and an LCP-certified aesthetic physician with over 10 years of experience. Her qualifications include an MD from the National University of Malaysia (UKM), a Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology (Bangkok) and an LCP in Aesthetic Medicine, with affiliations to the American Association of Aesthetic Medicine (AAAM, USA), the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine and the Society for Anti-Aging, Aesthetic & Regenerative Medicine Malaysia (SAAARMM). Meet our team.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results, downtime and suitability vary. Any aesthetic procedure carries risks that should be discussed with a qualified medical practitioner before treatment. Please arrange a consultation for personalised advice.
