Potenza

Potenza in Seoul

Medically reviewed by Dr. Chae-ho Lee, Medical Director, Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae; Member, Korean Society of Laser Dermatology & Hair

Doctor profile · Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae, Seoul

Potenza in Seoul is a radiofrequency (RF) microneedling treatment: fine needles enter the dermis and release RF energy there, prompting collagen regeneration while largely sparing the outer layer of skin. At Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae it is used for enlarged pores, acne scars, uneven texture, redness and flushing, fine lines, and reduced elasticity. Different microneedle tips are chosen for different concerns, and a session takes roughly 15 to 30 minutes.

What Is Potenza?

Potenza is an RF microneedling device that combines two tools in one pass: mechanical micro-channels from fine needles and controlled heat from radiofrequency energy released at the needle tips.

• Energy goes beneath the surface. The needles carry RF energy into the dermis, the layer where collagen sits, rather than heating the skin from the top down. This is how the treatment aims to remodel texture while minimizing damage to the epidermis.
• Collagen regeneration drives the result. The controlled injury and heat stimulate the skin to build new collagen, which is why improvement develops progressively over weeks.
• Tips change the treatment. The clinic selects from different microneedle tips according to the concern, so a session aimed at pores is not identical to one aimed at acne scars or redness.
• It is non-surgical. There is no incision, and it is performed as an outpatient procedure.
• It works as a course. The clinic generally recommends at least three sessions, because collagen remodeling is cumulative.

The Potenza system is manufactured by Jeisys Medical of Seoul. In the United States, the device holds FDA 510(k) clearance (K192545, February 2020) for dermatologic and general surgical procedures involving electrocoagulation and hemostasis (FDA 510(k) K192545 — POTENZA). That clearance describes the device's electrosurgical function and does not list cosmetic outcomes such as smaller pores or smoother scars. The same FDA summary describes two operating modes, monopolar and bipolar, at 1 MHz or 2 MHz, with treatment depth of up to 4.0 mm.

Who Performs Potenza at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

Dr. Chae-ho Lee
Medical Director at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

At Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae, Potenza is performed by Dr. Chae-ho Lee, the Medical Director and the only physician on staff. His listed subspecialty techniques include POTENZA by name. His professional memberships include the Korean Society of Laser Dermatology & Hair. He assesses your skin, medical history, and goals at a one-on-one consultation, then chooses the microneedle tip and settings. Because he also sees you at follow-up visits, he can adjust the plan for later sessions according to how your skin healed and responded.

Potenza Treatment Options by Skin Concern

The clinic customizes Potenza by tip choice. The concerns it lists for this service, and how they are approached, are summarized below.

Concern	How the clinic approaches it
Enlarged pores	Tip and settings selected for pore refinement
Acne scars	Tip chosen for scar remodeling through collagen stimulation
Active acne	Tip selected for acne-prone skin, after the skin is assessed for active infection
Redness and flushing	A tip selected for redness-related concerns
Fine lines	Collagen stimulation to improve fine lines
Reduced elasticity	Collagen stimulation to support firmer-looking skin
Uneven texture	Combined effect of micro-channels and RF heat

Specific needle depth, RF mode, energy level, and tip selection are matters to confirm with Dr. Lee at your consultation.

Acne scars

Atrophic acne scars are among the most common reasons people ask about Potenza. Outside evidence on RF microneedling as a category is reasonably encouraging here. A systematic review of 41 studies identified in searches covering 2015 to mid-2025, including 15 randomized controlled trials, found that RF microneedling consistently reduced atrophic acne scar scores, with efficacy comparable to fractional lasers; several of its authors report financial ties to the device's manufacturer (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery — RF microneedling systematic review). That review covered RF microneedling devices broadly, not Potenza alone, and individual results still vary with scar type and depth.

Pores and texture

Enlarged pores and rough texture respond to the same collagen-building process. Improvement tends to be gradual and is usually judged after a series of sessions rather than after the first.

Redness, fine lines, and elasticity

The clinic also lists redness and flushing, fine lines, and reduced skin elasticity among Potenza's applications. The same systematic review reported improvements in wrinkle scales and skin laxity with RF microneedling, and noted benefits for rosacea with effect sizes that varied between studies.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Potenza?

Suitability depends on your skin condition and a clinical assessment.

Potenza may suit you if you:

• Have enlarged pores or uneven skin texture.
• Have acne scars and want a non-surgical option.
• Have redness or flushing that the doctor judges suitable for this approach.
• Have fine lines or reduced skin elasticity.
• Can allow for a few days of possible redness or sensitivity after treatment.
• Can commit to a course, generally at least three sessions.

Potenza may not be suitable, or treatment may need to be postponed, if you:

• Have an active skin infection, significant inflammation, or open wounds in the treatment area.
• Have another condition that may impair healing.
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding, which should be discussed with the doctor beforehand.
• Have an implanted electronic device, which needs to be raised before treatment.
• Have a bleeding disorder or take medications that affect bleeding or healing.
• Have a history of abnormal scarring or pigmentation, which should be disclosed so settings can be adjusted.

What to Expect: Procedure, Recovery, and Results Timeline

Before treatment

Arrive with clean skin unless the clinic gives you different instructions. Tell the doctor about active acne or inflammation, other skin conditions, medications, allergies, and previous procedures. Mention any tendency toward abnormal scarring or pigmentation. Disclose products and medicines that may affect bleeding, healing, or skin sensitivity. Follow the clinic's instructions about pausing exfoliating or irritating skincare products. Do not book treatment over an active infection or significant irritation.

The procedure

1. Consultation. Dr. Lee assesses your skin, concerns, medical history, and suitability.
2. Tip and settings. He selects the microneedle tip and Potenza settings for your concern.
3. Cleansing. The skin is cleansed and prepared.
4. Anesthesia. Anesthetic cream is applied, and local anesthesia is also used.
5. Treatment. The Potenza handpiece passes over the area, inserting microneedles and delivering RF energy into the skin.
6. Aftercare. You receive post-treatment instructions and, for a course, a plan for your next visit.

The procedure itself takes approximately 15–30 minutes. Some prickling, warmth, or discomfort may be felt because needles enter the skin and RF energy is delivered; the anesthetic cream and local anesthesia are there to manage this.

Recovery and results timeline

Timing	What usually happens
Same day	Mild redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness, or small pinpoint marks may appear.
Following days	These effects generally improve over the next few days. Exact recovery depends on treatment intensity and your skin.
From about 2–3 days	The clinic states that gradual skin improvement can begin.
Following weeks	Collagen remodeling continues, and the overall response is assessed over the weeks after treatment.
Across a course	Full improvement develops progressively; the clinic generally recommends at least three sessions.

The clinic does not give a fixed final-result date. Because collagen keeps remodeling after each session, the outcome is assessed across the treatment course.

Setting realistic expectations

Potenza may improve skin texture, pores, acne scars, redness and flushing, fine lines, and elasticity by stimulating collagen regeneration. How much change you see depends on your individual skin condition, the type and depth of any scarring, and how many sessions you complete. Deep or long-standing scars generally need more patience than mild texture concerns. A single session is a starting point, not the finished result, and Dr. Lee will explain at consultation what degree of change is reasonable for your skin.

Planning Potenza around an international trip

A single session fits into a short stay, and many visitors plan 1–2 days around it. Because the clinic generally recommends at least three sessions, international patients usually either schedule return trips or discuss with the doctor how to space treatments around their travel. Allow for a few days of possible redness before photos, events, or long flights. Consultation and aftercare instructions are available in English, and if something looks wrong after you are home, you can reach the clinic through its website or by phone.

Aftercare

Use gentle skincare and keep the skin moisturized. Apply sunscreen and protect treated skin from sunlight. Avoid excessive heat and vigorous exercise until the skin has recovered. Do not pick at the treated skin. Hold off on irritating active ingredients until your skin has settled. Follow the clinic's specific post-treatment instructions.

Alternatives

Depending on the concern, alternatives include conventional microneedling, non-needle RF, fractional laser, chemical peels, and other energy-based treatments. The best option depends on your skin type, your main concern, and how much downtime you can accept. Within the clinic's laser specialty, Pico Toning / Majesty is aimed mainly at pigment rather than scarring, so the two address different problems.

Safety, Precision, and Clinic Standards

• Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae has been officially registered to receive international patients by Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare since January 2023.
• Every Potenza course starts with a one-on-one consultation with the Medical Director.
• Microneedle tips are selected according to the patient's skin concern.
• Settings and treatment areas are chosen after individual consultation rather than from a fixed protocol.
• Anesthetic cream and local anesthesia are used for comfort.

Risks and side effects

Temporary redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness, sensitivity, and small pinpoint marks are the most common effects after RF microneedling. A temporary acne flare or short-lived pigment changes can occur in some patients. Less commonly, prolonged irritation, pigmentation changes, infection, or scarring are possible, particularly if aftercare instructions are not followed.

For RF microneedling as a category, the systematic review cited above found that redness, swelling, and transient pain were the predominant side effects, and noted that post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation was infrequent and self-limited across studies spanning diverse Fitzpatrick skin types. Even so, anyone with a history of post-inflammatory pigment changes should say so at consultation, because energy and depth are set individually.

The Bottom Line

• Potenza delivers RF energy through fine needles into the dermis to stimulate collagen while limiting surface damage.
• At Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae it targets pores, acne scars, texture, redness, fine lines, and elasticity, with the tip chosen for each concern.
• Sessions take about 15–30 minutes under anesthetic cream and local anesthesia.
• Gradual improvement can begin around 2–3 days, and at least three sessions are generally recommended.
• Dr. Chae-ho Lee, who lists POTENZA among his techniques, performs every treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Potenza painful?
Some prickling, warmth, or discomfort is normal, because needles enter the skin while RF energy is delivered. To keep this manageable, the clinic uses anesthetic cream together with local anesthesia. Sensitivity varies between people and treatment areas.

How many Potenza sessions do I need?
The clinic generally recommends at least three sessions. The exact number depends on your concern, such as acne scars versus pores, and on how your skin responds. Results build because collagen remodeling continues after each visit.

When will I see results from Potenza?
The clinic states that gradual improvement can begin about 2–3 days after treatment. Further change develops over the following weeks as new collagen forms. The overall result is judged across the full course.

How long should I stay in Seoul for Potenza?
Potenza is an outpatient treatment, and many patients plan a stay of 1–2 days around a single session. Leave room for temporary redness or sensitivity, and confirm the schedule with the clinic. A multi-session course needs return visits.

When can I fly home after Potenza?
There is no universal waiting period. Because redness, swelling, or sensitivity can follow treatment, confirm your flight timing with Dr. Lee based on how intensive the treatment was and how your skin responds. If anything looks unusual, contact the clinic before traveling.

Can Potenza treat active acne?
The clinic lists acne among the concerns it customizes Potenza tips for. However, active infection or significant inflammation is a reason to postpone, so the doctor examines the skin first. The decision is made case by case.

Is Potenza the same as regular microneedling?
No. Conventional microneedling relies on needle channels alone, while Potenza adds RF energy delivered at the needle tips into the dermis. Conventional microneedling remains one of the alternatives, depending on your concern and downtime preference.

What is the difference between Potenza and a fractional laser?
Both aim to remodel texture and scars. Potenza uses needles to place RF energy beneath the surface, while a fractional laser uses light. Outside research has found RF microneedling's efficacy for acne scars comparable to fractional lasers, and the choice depends on your skin type and downtime preference.

Book a Consultation at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

To find out whether Potenza in Seoul is right for your pores, scars, or texture, book a personal assessment with Dr. Chae-ho Lee, who will explain which tip he would use, how many sessions to expect, and what recovery looks like for your skin. Consultation in English can be arranged. The clinic is a short walk from Exit 1 of Hongik University Station, on the 8th floor of the Wookdo Building, 151 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu. Contact the clinic to arrange a visit, and see results from other patients before you decide.

Disclaimer

Treatment suitability, expected results, recovery time, risks, and potential side effects vary by individual. The information provided is for general informational purposes and does not replace an in-person medical consultation. Patients should discuss their medical history, treatment goals, and individual circumstances with a qualified medical professional before undergoing treatment.

Sources & Further Reading

• FDA — 510(k) K192545: POTENZA (Jeisys Medical)
• Aesthetic Plastic Surgery — Effectiveness of RF Microneedling in Dermatological Conditions: Systematic Review