Why We Chose the Secret Pro by Cutera for CO2 Laser and RF Microneedling

Choosing a piece of equipment for the clinic is not something I rush. When I set out to find a device that could genuinely lift and strengthen the skin, I gave myself nine months to research every serious contender on the market and to demo devices brought in from across the world. That process taught me a great deal about the technology itself, and it kept leading me back to one machine. The Secret Pro by Cutera.

What made it stand out was not a single feature but the way three capabilities sit inside one system. It performs radiofrequency microneedling, it delivers fractional CO2 laser resurfacing, and it lets me tailor each one precisely: the depth in the skin, the amount of energy, and how long that energy stays in the tissue. That level of control is unusual, and it is exactly what allows me to treat skin laxity and rough, open-pored texture in the same appointment.

This post walks through how the Secret Pro works, why the combination matters for sagging and texture, what a session actually feels like, and the recovery you should plan for. If you have been reading about CO2 laser or microneedling and finding the terms blur together, this should make the picture clearer.

Two proven technologies in one device

Most clinics carry a device that does one job well. The Secret Pro is built around two distinct mechanisms that address different layers of the skin, which is why it can tackle both firmness and surface quality rather than forcing a compromise.

Radiofrequency microneedling for lift and strength

The microneedling side uses an array of very fine needles that create controlled micro-channels in the skin. On its own, microneedling triggers the body's natural repair response and stimulates fresh collagen. The Secret Pro adds radiofrequency energy delivered through the tips of those needles, so heat is placed at a chosen depth in the dermis, below the surface, where the structural collagen and elastin live.

That heat is the part that firms and tightens. When the deeper layers of skin are gently heated in a controlled way, existing collagen contracts and the body is prompted to lay down new collagen over the following weeks and months. The result builds gradually. Skin feels denser and looks a little more lifted, particularly along the jawline, the cheeks and the neck where laxity tends to show first. Because the energy is deposited beneath the surface rather than on top of it, RF microneedling suits people who want firming with relatively contained downtime.

Fractional CO2 laser for resurfacing

The second mechanism is a fractional carbon dioxide laser. Rather than treating the whole surface in one sheet, a fractional laser sends its energy in tiny columns, leaving healthy untreated skin in between each point. Those islands of intact tissue are what drive fast healing while still achieving a meaningful resurfacing effect.

CO2 laser works on the top and middle layers of the skin. It removes worn, sun-damaged and uneven surface cells and stimulates a fresh wave of collagen as the skin repairs. This is the part of the treatment that refines texture, softens fine lines, shrinks the look of enlarged pores and helps even out tone and superficial scarring. Where RF microneedling works from within, the CO2 laser resets the surface. Used together, they cover far more ground than either would alone.

Why the combination matters for laxity and texture

Skin laxity and poor texture usually turn up together, and they have overlapping causes. As we age, collagen production slows, elastin fibres weaken, and years of sun exposure roughen the surface and open up pores. Treating only one of those problems tends to leave the other looking more obvious.

This is the reasoning behind wanting a device that could do both. Firming the deeper structure with radiofrequency while resurfacing the outer layers with CO2 means the skin is addressed as a whole. You get the tightening that makes a face look rested and supported, alongside the smoothing that makes it catch the light more evenly. For someone whose main concerns are a softening jaw and cheeks along with rough, large-pored or crepey skin, that dual approach is genuinely useful.

The ability to adjust each modality independently is what makes it safe to be ambitious. Skin on the neck is thin and needs a gentler hand than the cheeks. A patient with active laxity but delicate, reactive skin might benefit from stronger RF settings and lighter laser. Someone chasing texture and pore refinement on robust skin can have the laser dialled up. Rather than a fixed programme, I shape the treatment around the face in front of me.

What a Secret Pro session involves

Every treatment at Wellface starts with a consultation, because the settings depend entirely on your skin, your concerns and how your skin has behaved with heat and sun in the past. I will look at your laxity and texture, take a history, and agree a plan that might use both modalities or lead with one.

On the day, the skin is thoroughly cleansed and a topical numbing cream is applied and left to take effect. This makes the treatment comfortable. The active part of the appointment is usually reasonably quick once numbing is complete, and the exact time depends on the areas being treated and whether both the laser and the microneedling handpieces are used.

During RF microneedling you feel pressure and warmth as the tip stamps across the skin. The CO2 laser tends to feel hot and prickly, a bit like a rubber band flick in places, which is why the numbing matters. Afterwards the skin looks flushed and feels tight and hot, similar to strong sunburn. A soothing balm or barrier cream is applied and you will be given clear aftercare guidance before you leave.

Downtime and aftercare

Honesty about recovery is important, because CO2 laser is more involved than a facial. How much downtime you have depends heavily on how strong the treatment was, which is one more reason the adjustable settings are helpful. A lighter session might leave you pink and a little swollen for a couple of days. A deeper resurfacing session can mean redness, swelling and a sandpaper-like roughness for several days, sometimes up to a week or so, as the treated micro-columns work their way out and the skin knits back together.

In the first days the priorities are simple. Keep the skin clean and well moisturised with whatever I recommend, avoid picking or scrubbing as any tiny scabs or flakes appear, and be scrupulous about sun protection. Freshly resurfaced skin is vulnerable to pigmentation, so daily high-factor SPF and staying out of direct sun is non-negotiable while it heals. It is also sensible to pause active skincare ingredients such as retinoids and acids until your skin has settled, and to skip heavy exercise, saunas and hot yoga for a few days while the skin is calming down.

Most people find the visible redness fades into a healthy glow, and the real reward arrives later. Because so much of the benefit comes from new collagen, the skin keeps improving for weeks after the surface has healed, with firmness and texture continuing to refine over the following couple of months.

Who tends to be a good candidate

The Secret Pro suits people who want a meaningful change in skin quality rather than a quick freshen-up. If your concerns are early to moderate laxity along the jaw, cheeks or neck, combined with rough texture, enlarged pores, fine lines or superficial scarring, this is the kind of treatment that can address several things at once.

It is not right for everyone at every moment. Active skin infections, certain skin conditions, pregnancy and recent sun exposure or tanning are all reasons to wait or reconsider. Deeper skin tones can be treated but need careful, considered settings to protect against pigment changes, which is exactly the sort of decision that belongs with a doctor rather than a fixed protocol. A proper consultation is the only way to know whether the timing and settings are right for you, and whether one or two sessions or a short course will serve you best.

Common questions about the Secret Pro

Is the treatment painful?

Most of the discomfort is managed with topical numbing cream applied before I begin. You will feel warmth and pressure during the microneedling and a hotter, prickly sensation during the CO2 laser, but it is generally well tolerated. Afterwards the skin feels tight and hot, much like sunburn, and this eases over the first day or two.

How many sessions will I need?

This varies with your skin and your goals. Some people see a clear difference after a single well-judged session, while others do better with a short course spaced several weeks apart to build collagen progressively. I will recommend a realistic plan at consultation rather than a one-size-fits-all number.

When will I see results?

There is an early freshness once the redness settles, usually within a week or so. The firming and texture changes are more gradual because they rely on new collagen forming. Expect to see the skin continuing to improve over roughly two to three months after treatment.

How is this different from ordinary microneedling?

Standard microneedling creates micro-injuries to stimulate collagen but does not add heat or resurface the surface. The Secret Pro adds radiofrequency energy at a controlled depth for genuine tightening, and pairs it with fractional CO2 laser to renew the skin's surface. It is a more powerful approach to laxity and texture, with correspondingly more downtime.

Can it be combined with other treatments?

Often, yes, though timing matters. Some patients combine skin-quality work with injectable treatments or skin boosters as part of a wider plan, but the order and spacing need to be sensible so the skin has time to heal. This is something we map out together so nothing is rushed.

Book a Secret Pro consultation at Wellface

I brought the Secret Pro into the clinic because it does something most single devices cannot: firm the deeper skin and resurface the surface in one carefully controlled treatment. If skin laxity or rough, open-pored texture is what bothers you when you look in the mirror, the best next step is a proper assessment with me, so I can tell you whether it is the right choice and how to get the most from it.

Wellface has clinics in Cobham, Esher and Wimbledon, and I will take the time to understand your skin before recommending anything. Get in touch to arrange a consultation with me and I will talk you through what the Secret Pro could do for you.