Secret Pro Explained: How Fractional CO2 Laser and RF Microneedling Transform Skin Quality

There's a point where good skincare stops being enough on its own. You can be diligent with your morning routine, wear SPF every day and still notice that your pores look a little larger than they used to, your skin feels drier by mid-afternoon, and the smoothness you took for granted in your twenties has quietly slipped away. This is usually the moment people start asking me about treatments that work below the surface rather than on top of it.

Secret Pro is one of those treatments. It's a single device that houses two of the most respected skin technologies in aesthetic medicine, fractional CO2 laser and radiofrequency microneedling, and it lets me dial the treatment up or down depending on what your skin actually needs. That flexibility is the whole point. Skin quality isn't one problem with one fix. It's texture, tone, firmness, hydration and pore size, all wrapped up together, and Secret Pro can address several of those at once.

In this article I'll walk through how the two technologies work, what a session at Wellface actually feels like, the areas I can treat (there are more than you might think), and how many sessions you're likely to need for a result that lasts.

Two technologies, one treatment

Most skin devices do one job. Secret Pro does two, and the combination is what makes it interesting.

The first technology is fractional CO2 laser. This works closer to the surface, creating tiny controlled columns of resurfacing across the skin while leaving the tissue in between untouched. That "fractional" approach is deliberate. By treating only a fraction of the skin at a time, the untreated areas act as a reservoir for healing, so recovery is faster than it would be with older, fully ablative lasers. The CO2 element is what refines texture, softens the look of pores and evens out tone. It's the part that gives skin that fresh, polished quality afterwards.

The second technology is radiofrequency microneedling. Fine needles deliver radiofrequency energy directly into the deeper layers of the skin, where collagen and elastin live. Heat at that depth triggers the body's natural repair response, which means new collagen production over the weeks and months that follow. This is the part that addresses laxity and firmness. It's why skin feels tighter and looks more lifted once the deeper remodelling has had time to happen.

Used separately, each of these treatments has its fans. Used together in one appointment, they cover both the surface and the structure of the skin at the same time. As one of the doctors explains in the reel, the microneedling brings a big improvement to overall skin quality while the radiofrequency really works on tightening and laxity. Combine the two and you get pores that look smaller, skin that feels firmer, and a glow that reads as genuinely healthy rather than just freshly exfoliated.

Why the combination matters

Think of your skin as having a surface and a foundation. Sun exposure, pollution and time tend to show up first at the surface as rough texture, enlarged pores and uneven tone. Underneath, the collagen scaffolding that keeps skin springy and firm is thinning at the same time, which is what leads to the softer, looser look we associate with ageing.

A treatment that only resurfaces the surface leaves the foundation untouched. A treatment that only tightens the deeper layers doesn't do much for texture and pores. Secret Pro works on both levels in the same session, which is why the results tend to look more complete. Nothing about your face exists in isolation, and treating it that way makes sense.

The concerns Secret Pro is best at

This treatment earns its place for three concerns in particular, and they often overlap in the same person.

The first is skin texture and pores. If your skin has lost its smoothness, or your pores have become more noticeable with age or after years of oilier skin, the resurfacing action of the CO2 laser is what makes the difference here. Refined texture and tighter-looking pores are among the changes people notice earliest.

The second is ageing prevention and firmness. You don't have to wait until laxity is obvious before you address it. Stimulating collagen through radiofrequency microneedling is as much about maintaining what you have as it is about reversing what's already changed. Starting earlier, and topping up occasionally, tends to keep skin looking resilient for longer.

The third is hydration and dry skin. As collagen and the skin's supporting matrix improve, skin holds moisture more effectively and that tight, papery feeling of dry, ageing skin softens. Better quality skin simply behaves better, staying comfortable and plump rather than parched by the afternoon.

Not just the face

One of the most useful things about Secret Pro is how far beyond the face it reaches. The face is the obvious starting point, but the neck and decolletage are areas that often give away age before the face does, partly because they're exposed to just as much sunlight and partly because they get a fraction of the skincare attention. Secret Pro treats both beautifully, and addressing the neck and chest alongside the face keeps everything looking consistent.

Then there's the body. This is where the treatment surprises people. The abdomen is a common request, particularly after pregnancy, where skin has been stretched and hasn't fully recovered its tone. Caesarean scars can be softened and refined. Stretch marks, which are notoriously stubborn and resistant to creams, respond well to the combination of resurfacing and collagen stimulation. Because the device is adjustable, I can tailor the settings to the thickness and sensitivity of the skin in each area, so the treatment is as suited to the delicate skin of the neck as it is to the abdomen.

If there's an area of your body where skin quality, texture or laxity bothers you, it's worth asking me about at your consultation. The answer is more often yes than you'd expect.

What a session at Wellface involves

Everything starts with a consultation. I'll look at your skin properly, ask about your concerns and your medical history, and be honest about what Secret Pro can and can't achieve for you. If a different treatment or a combination would serve you better, I'll say so. This is a doctor-led clinic, and that assessment matters more than any single device.

On the day of treatment, I begin by cleansing the skin and applying a topical numbing cream. This needs around half an hour to take full effect, so the appointment isn't a quick in-and-out. Once the area is comfortably numb, the treatment itself is relatively quick, with the exact time depending on how many areas you're having done.

Most people describe the sensation as a warm, prickling feeling rather than sharp pain. The numbing cream does most of the work, and I can adjust the intensity to keep you comfortable. Afterwards, expect the skin to feel warm, look flushed and feel a little tight, rather as though you've caught the sun.

What to expect afterwards

Downtime with Secret Pro is real but manageable, and it depends on how intensively you're treated. For the first day or two the skin is usually pink or red and feels warm and tight. Some people experience mild swelling, particularly around the eyes if the face has been treated. Over the following days the skin can feel rough or slightly sandpapery to the touch as the resurfaced surface renews itself, and there may be some very fine flaking or the appearance of tiny bronze dots that fade on their own.

Sun protection is not optional in the healing period. Freshly treated skin is vulnerable to pigmentation, so daily high-factor SPF and staying out of direct sun is essential for the first couple of weeks. Keep the skin clean, hydrated with whatever I recommend, and resist the temptation to pick at any flaking. Makeup can usually go back on after a day or two, once the skin has calmed. I'll give you aftercare instructions tailored to the areas you've had treated and the intensity used.

The visible glow tends to appear once the initial healing settles, but the deeper collagen remodelling continues quietly for weeks and months. That's why results keep improving well after the redness has gone.

How many sessions and how long results last

For a maximum result, most people need three sessions spaced around six weeks apart. That spacing gives the skin time to heal and to lay down new collagen between appointments, and it's the rhythm that produces the most complete change.

Once you've completed a course, the results typically last at least a year. Skin, of course, doesn't stop ageing just because you've had a treatment. Many of my patients come back after eighteen months to two years for a little maintenance, and as one of our doctors puts it in the reel, that's simply because you've carried on living and ageing in the meantime. A single maintenance session now and then is usually enough to keep skin quality where you want it, rather than starting a full course again from scratch.

Common questions about Secret Pro

Is Secret Pro painful?

The numbing cream applied before treatment makes it very tolerable for most people. You'll feel warmth and a prickling sensation, and I can adjust the intensity to keep you comfortable. Any discomfort settles quickly once the session is over, replaced by a sunburn-like warmth for the rest of the day.

How soon will I see results?

You'll notice fresher, smoother skin once the initial redness and flaking settle, usually within a week or so. The more significant firming and texture changes build gradually as new collagen forms, so the skin continues to improve over the following two to three months. Results deepen with each of the three sessions.

Who is a good candidate?

Secret Pro suits most people looking to improve skin texture, minimise pores, firm up mild to moderate laxity or refresh tired, dry skin. It works across a range of skin types and ages. The best way to know if it's right for you is a consultation, where I can check your skin and rule out anything that would make treatment unsuitable, such as active infection or certain medications.

Can I combine it with other treatments?

Yes, and many of my patients do. Secret Pro pairs well with injectable treatments and skin boosters as part of a wider plan, because resurfacing and tightening address different things to fillers or anti-wrinkle injections. I'll advise on timing and the right order so the treatments complement rather than compete with each other.

Is there anyone who shouldn't have it?

Secret Pro isn't suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, over active skin infections, or in some cases where you have a history of certain skin conditions. This is exactly what the consultation is for. A proper medical assessment beforehand keeps the treatment safe and the results predictable.

Book a Secret Pro consultation at Wellface

If your skin quality has started to bother you, whether that's texture and pores, early signs of laxity, or skin that simply feels drier and less resilient than it used to, Secret Pro is worth a proper conversation. The right plan starts with a doctor understanding your skin and your goals, not with a device.

I offer Secret Pro consultations at Wellface in Cobham, Esher and Wimbledon. Come and talk through your concerns with me and I'll show you honestly what the treatment can do for you and how best to get there. Get in touch to arrange your consultation with me whenever you're ready.