Trend Watcher is our honest look at the treatments buzzing on your feed. We break down what's real, what's proven, and what's still too new to call.
Trend Status: Watching · Last updated November 2026
If you’ve been scrolling social media lately, you’ve probably seen XERF. The Korean-developed skin tightening treatment is trending everywhere, helped along by celebrity buzz. Kim Kardashian called it her new favorite tightening treatment. XERF arrived in the US in late 2025, and it’s already one of the most talked-about treatments online. Sound familiar? Back in 2022, Kim gave Morpheus8 the same kind of boost, sharing a photo calling it “a game changer.”
So how does it stack up against Morpheus8? Below, we compare XERF in detail with Morpheus8.
Both use radiofrequency (RF) energy to heat the skin and prompt your body to build new collagen. But they work in different ways, feel different during treatment, and suit different goals. Here’s a straightforward look at how they compare, so you can decide what makes sense for your skin.
How each treatment works
To understand the difference, it helps to know that skin has layers, and each one does a different job:
The collagen layer sits just under the surface. It controls firmness, fine lines, and texture.
The fat layer below it gives your face its fullness and shape.
The support layer (called the SMAS) is the deepest. It holds the face up, and it's the layer a surgical facelift tightens.
Morpheus8
Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency. Tiny needles go into the skin and release heat at their tips, right inside the collagen and fat layers.
Your provider sets the depth, shallow for texture and fine lines or deeper for firmness and contour.
Because it creates tiny channels in the skin, it also resurfaces, which helps with pores, uneven texture, and acne scars.
XERF
XERF uses no needles. It sends two radiofrequency frequencies through the skin's surface at once, heating down to the deep support layer while a built-in cooling system protects the surface.
The focus is on tightening and firmness rather than resurfacing.
What the evidence says
XERF launched in South Korea in 2024 and received FDA clearance for face and neck tightening in August 2025. (Note that it's "FDA cleared," which is different from "FDA approved.") It launched in the US in September 2025 and has grown quickly, with more than 2,000 devices installed worldwide since 2024. Early results look promising.
Morpheus8, on the other hand, has more than 2.5 million treatments performed worldwide (as of mid-2024), years of US use behind it, a large community of experienced providers, and a clearer picture of how results hold up over time.
Korean aesthetics are known for innovation, and many great treatments start there. But newer also means less long-term evidence. It's worth remembering that celebrity mentions tell you what's trending, not what works for someone with your skin, your age, and your goals.
Morpheus8RF microneedling |
XERFNeedle-free RF |
|
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Available in the US since | About 2019 | FDA cleared August 2025 |
| How it works | Radiofrequency through microneedles | Dual-frequency radiofrequency, no needles |
| How deep it works | Collagen and fat layers, depth set by your provider | Down to the deep support layer |
| What it treats | ||
| Tightening | Yes | Yes |
| Texture, pores, scars | Yes | Limited |
| Treatment areas | Face and body | Face and neck (US clearance) |
| The experience | ||
| Comfort | Numbing cream applied beforehand | No numbing, feels warm |
| Downtime | A few days of redness | Little to none |
| The commitment | ||
| Typical sessions | 3, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart | 1 to 2 |
| How long results last | 12 to 18 months, sometimes longer | About 9 to 12 months |
Results and how long they last
With either treatment, results build gradually. You may notice some firmness right away, but the real change comes over two to three months as new collagen forms. Neither is permanent, since your skin keeps aging, so both work best with occasional maintenance.
Morpheus8: After a full course of three sessions, results typically last 12 to 18 months, and some people hold them for two to three years. Improvements in texture and scarring often last longer than the tightening. Most patients come back for one maintenance session a year.
XERF: Results usually last about 9 to 12 months, followed by a maintenance session. Some clinics report longer results, but the device is new, so long-term data is still limited.
What it costs
Pricing varies by provider and area, but per session the two are in a similar range in Southern California.
Morpheus8: About $1,000 to $1,500 for the face, and $2,000 to $3,500 for face and neck. A three-session course for the face typically runs $3,000 to $4,500, and many practices offer a package discount.
XERF: About $1,250 to $3,000 for face and neck. Some clinics price by zone, meaning one section treated on its own (upper face, midface, lower face, or neck), starting around $1,300 to $1,800 per zone.
Because Morpheus8 usually takes more sessions up front and XERF may need maintenance more often, the total cost over a year or two tends to come out fairly close. A quick word of caution: an unusually low price for either treatment can mean less experienced providers or shortcuts you don't want on your face.
Which one is right for you?
Morpheus8 may suit you if you want tightening plus better texture, have acne scars or enlarged pores, want to treat areas beyond the face, and can plan around a few days of redness.
XERF may suit you if your main concern is mild to moderate laxity on the face or neck, you want no needles or numbing, and you can't take any downtime.
Our Trend Status: Watching
Every Trend Watcher ends with one of four ratings: Watching (lots of buzz, too new to judge), Promising (early evidence looks good), Proven (a solid track record over time), and Now Offering (available at South Bay Med Spa). XERF is rated Watching, and we'll revisit it as more long-term results come in.
Both are legitimate, FDA-cleared ways to tighten skin without surgery. Morpheus8 offers more versatility and a longer track record. XERF offers comfort and convenience, with less long-term data so far. At South Bay Med Spa, we don't chase trends. We watch new devices closely and wait for evidence that they deliver safely over time, because when it comes to your face, proven matters.
Have questions about XERF, Morpheus8, or any treatment you’ve seen online? Our team in Torrance and Whittier is always happy to talk it through.
Sources
FDA 510(k) clearance for XERF (K251327)
Cynosure Lutronic: XERF worldwide adoption
NewBeauty: XERF coverage, including Kim Kardashian and the Grammy gift bags
Sports Kyunghyang: Park Shin-hye XERF campaign
Bustle: XERF treatment and cost
SL Clinic: XERF results
InMode: Morpheus8 FDA clearance and 2.5 million procedures worldwide
Haute MD: Morpheus8 cost guide
Centre for Surgery: How long Morpheus8 lasts
Results vary by individual. This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for a consultation with a qualified provider.