Secret Pro at Wellface: CO2 Laser and RF Microneedling in One Session

Some treatments improve one thing. Secret Pro was designed to do several at once. It pairs two of the most respected technologies in skin rejuvenation, fractional CO2 laser and radiofrequency microneedling, in a single appointment that works on texture, pores, scarring, fine lines and laxity together.

We recently treated Eddie at our Esher clinic, a patient who wanted to sharpen up his skin quality ahead of a busy summer and a run of weddings. He had the combination approach: radiofrequency microneedling first, then a CO2 laser pass straight afterwards on the same day. He told us it was surprisingly comfortable, close to painless, and he has since been back into clinic looking noticeably smoother and fresher.

What Eddie's results show, and what our doctors love about this treatment, is that the improvement keeps building. The redness settles within days, but the collagen your skin lays down underneath carries on refining pores and firming the surface for months afterwards. Here is how Secret Pro works, what a session involves, and who tends to see the biggest change.

Two technologies, one appointment

Secret Pro is a platform made by Cutera that brings together two distinct treatments most clinics offer separately. Understanding what each one does explains why the combination is so effective.

Radiofrequency microneedling uses an array of very fine needles that create tiny channels in the skin. As they reach a set depth, they deliver radiofrequency energy directly into the deeper layers, the dermis, where your collagen and elastin live. That controlled heat prompts the skin to repair and remodel itself, tightening existing tissue and stimulating fresh collagen. Because the energy is delivered from within, the surface of the skin is largely spared, which is part of why recovery is quicker than people expect.

Fractional CO2 laser works on the surface and just below it. It sends microscopic columns of laser energy into the skin, resurfacing the top layers and triggering renewal underneath. The word fractional matters here. Rather than treating the entire surface at once, the laser leaves tiny islands of untouched skin between the treated columns, which speeds healing considerably compared with older, fully ablative lasers. This is the part of the treatment that really refines texture, softens scarring and evens out tone.

Used together in one visit, as we did with Eddie, they address the skin at different depths. The microneedling firms and lifts from below while the laser resurfaces and polishes from above. The result is a more complete rejuvenation than either could deliver on its own.

The concerns Secret Pro is built to treat

The reason our doctors reach for this device so often is its versatility. A single protocol can be adjusted to focus on whichever concerns matter most to the patient in front of them.

Skin texture and enlarged pores

Rough, uneven texture and pores that look larger than you would like are among the most common reasons people book. The CO2 resurfacing removes the tired, damaged surface layer, and as new skin forms it comes through smoother and more refined. Because pore size is partly linked to the firmness of the surrounding skin, the collagen you build from the radiofrequency component helps them appear tighter over time. This is exactly the change Eddie noticed as the weeks went on.

Scarring

Fractional CO2 laser has a long track record with scarring, particularly acne scarring and other textured, indented marks. By resurfacing the skin and stimulating collagen in the treated area, it gradually softens the edges of a scar and encourages the base to lift, making it blend more naturally with the surrounding skin. Deeper or more established scars usually respond best to a short course rather than a single session.

Wrinkles and fine lines

Fine lines respond to two things: better surface quality and more collagen underneath. Secret Pro provides both. The laser smooths the etched surface texture that catches the light and makes lines look more obvious, while the radiofrequency energy plumps the deeper layers so the skin has more support. It is particularly effective on the fine crepey lines that appear around the eyes, mouth and on the cheeks.

Skin laxity and sagging

As collagen and elastin decline with age, skin loses its firmness and starts to sag or look a little slack. Radiofrequency microneedling is one of the most reliable non-surgical ways to address early to moderate laxity, because the heat both tightens existing collagen fibres immediately and drives the production of new ones over the following months. It will not replace a surgical lift for advanced sagging, but for skin that has begun to lose its snap it can make a real difference.

What a Secret Pro session is like

Your appointment begins with a consultation and a proper look at your skin, so we can tailor the needle depths and laser settings to your concerns and your skin type. We cleanse the area thoroughly and apply a topical numbing cream, which is left on long enough to take full effect. This is the main reason patients like Eddie report the treatment as comfortable rather than painful.

When it comes to the treatment itself, the radiofrequency microneedling is usually performed first. You may feel a light pressure and a warm, tingling sensation as the needles deliver energy. The CO2 laser follows, often on the same day, giving a warm prickling feeling as it passes over the skin. The active treatment time is generally in the region of thirty to forty-five minutes for the face, though this varies with the area and the intensity chosen.

Straight afterwards the skin will look red, a bit like moderate sunburn, and may feel hot for a few hours. That initial heat and redness settle quickly. Over the days that follow the skin goes through its renewal process, which can involve some mild swelling, a sandpaper-like roughness and light flaking or crusting as the old surface sheds and the new one comes through.

Downtime and aftercare

Downtime with Secret Pro depends heavily on how intensive the treatment is. A lighter, more superficial resurfacing may leave you red for only a few hours with very little visible peeling. A deeper, more corrective treatment typically means around three to seven days where the skin is pink, slightly swollen and flaking as it exfoliates. Many people plan a more intensive session for a quieter week and keep a lighter one for when they cannot spare much time.

Aftercare is straightforward but worth taking seriously, because it protects your result. Keep the skin clean and well moisturised with the products we recommend, and resist the urge to pick or scrub at any flaking, which needs to shed naturally. Avoid heat, saunas, strenuous exercise and heavy sweating for the first few days while the skin is settling. Most importantly, be diligent with a high-factor SPF and stay out of direct sun, since freshly resurfaced skin is more vulnerable and sun exposure is the quickest way to undo good work. Makeup can usually go back on once the skin has closed over, which we will advise on at your appointment.

Results and how they build over time

The most useful thing to understand about Secret Pro is that it is not a treatment where the finished result appears the moment the redness fades. There are two phases. Once the exfoliation process is complete, usually within four to six days, you will see an early improvement as smoother, fresher skin emerges. That is the surface change.

The bigger transformation happens underneath and takes longer. New collagen is produced gradually over roughly three to six months, which is when pores continue to tighten, texture keeps refining and skin firms further. This is precisely what our doctor meant when she said Eddie will look even better as time goes on. His result at a few weeks was already something he was delighted with, and the collagen response means it should keep improving.

For many concerns a single well-judged session produces a lovely change. For more stubborn issues such as significant scarring or more advanced laxity, a short course of two to three treatments spaced apart tends to give the strongest outcome. A yearly maintenance session helps hold onto what you have built.

Common questions about Secret Pro

Is Secret Pro suitable for men?

Absolutely, and men make up a growing share of the patients we treat with it. Eddie is a good example. The treatment works the same way regardless of gender, and it is well suited to men who want better skin quality and firmer texture without anything obvious or overdone.

Does it hurt?

Most patients find it very tolerable thanks to the numbing cream applied beforehand. You will feel warmth and some tingling or prickling rather than sharp pain. Several patients, Eddie included, describe it as close to painless.

How is it different from a standard laser or standard microneedling?

Standard microneedling creates channels to stimulate collagen but does not add radiofrequency heat or resurface the surface. A standalone laser resurfaces but does not treat the deeper layers with radiofrequency. Secret Pro combines both depths in one platform, which is why it can tackle texture, scarring, lines and laxity together rather than one at a time.

How soon before an event should I book?

Because there can be several days of visible redness and flaking, then a period where results continue to develop, it is sensible to leave a few weeks before a big occasion. For a wedding or a holiday, we would generally suggest treating at least three to four weeks ahead, and often earlier for a more intensive session so the collagen has time to work.

Is there anyone it is not suitable for?

Secret Pro is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and certain skin conditions, active infections or a tendency to particular types of scarring need to be assessed first. Very darker skin tones require careful settings and an experienced hand. This is why a consultation always comes before treatment, so our doctors can confirm it is right for you.

Book your Secret Pro consultation

If Eddie's result has caught your eye and you would like smoother texture, tighter skin and a genuine improvement in scarring or fine lines, Secret Pro may be exactly the treatment for you. Every plan starts with a proper conversation about your skin, so we can tailor the depth and intensity to your concerns and your calendar.

Our doctors offer Secret Pro across the Wellface clinics in Cobham, Esher and Wimbledon. Get in touch to arrange a consultation and we will talk you through what the treatment could do for your skin, what to expect on the day, and how to time it around your plans.