EXION Face is a needle-free applicator that delivers monopolar radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound together, with AI temperature control, to prompt the skin to make more of its own hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin. It is used for dryness, fine lines, texture and a mild loss of firmness on the face, around the eyes, on the neck and on the hands. Most people go straight back to their day; a physician assessment decides suitability.
If you've been doing the skincare deep-dive thing — reading about radiofrequency, comparing devices on Reddit at midnight — EXION is probably a name that keeps popping up. It's one of the skin renewal treatments we offer at Skin Art MD at Metrotown, and the applicator we use is EXION Face.
Here's the full rundown: how it works, what it is aimed at and what a visit involves.
What Is EXION Face?
EXION is a BTL Aesthetics platform, and EXION Face is its applicator for the face and nearby areas. It combines monopolar radiofrequency (RF) with targeted ultrasound in a single pass. It is not RF microneedling: no needles are used, nothing pierces the skin, and nothing is injected.
Hyaluronic acid is the skin's built-in moisturizer, and the body makes less of it over time, so skin can look drier, thinner and more lined. Instead of injecting it, EXION Face works with the cells that produce it.
The Science Behind It
Here's what happens during an EXION Face treatment:
- Radiofrequency warms the dermis — creating gentle, uniform warmth to activate fibroblasts, the cells that make hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin
- Targeted ultrasound is delivered at the same time — working alongside the RF and focusing on those fibroblasts
- AI monitors your skin in real time — tracking impedance and temperature and fine-tuning the energy to keep the treatment in its target range
- Changes build over the following weeks — the skin renews gradually, so results look natural
BTL reports a clinical study (Duncan) in which skin measured after four treatments showed higher hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin levels (+224%, +47% and +50%). These are manufacturer-reported figures, and results vary from person to person.
What Is EXION Face Used For?
EXION Face is aimed at skin quality. People commonly ask about it when they:
- Feel their skin has become drier, duller or less springy
- Notice fine lines — on the forehead or around the eyes or mouth
- Want smoother-looking texture
- Want a firmer look — along the jawline or on the neck
- Prefer a needle-free option to injectables
- Want to maintain results from other treatments
If your main concern is something EXION Face is not aimed at, such as acne scarring, the physician will discuss other approaches at your consultation.
What happens during an EXION Face treatment at Skin Art MD?
A visit moves through four steps — consultation, skin prep, a 10-30-minute treatment and aftercare.
Step 1: Consultation
Every EXION Face treatment at Skin Art MD begins with a review of your goals, skin and medical history, and the treatment areas are mapped. Dr. Sharon Fong, a physician, leads assessment and treatment planning, and settings are adjusted for your skin, including Asian skin and skin that is prone to pigmentation.
Step 2: Skin Prep
The skin is cleansed and a conductive gel is applied. No needles are used, and numbing cream is usually not needed.
Step 3: The Treatment
The applicator moves across each area while AI adjusts the energy. You should feel a gentle warmth. A session takes about 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the areas.
Areas we plan together at consultation include:
- Whole face — hydration, smoothness and a firmer feel
- Eye area — fine lines and crepey skin around the eyes
- Forehead, cheeks and jawline — softer-looking lines, a plumper look, a firmer-looking lower face
- Neck — smoother, better-hydrated skin
- Hands — skin quality on the backs of the hands
Step 4: Aftercare
The gel is wiped away, then moisturizer and sunscreen are applied. Any redness, warmth or slight swelling normally settles within a few hours to a day, and most people return to work or their plans straight away.
How much downtime does EXION Face have?
Usually very little: most people return to their routine the same day, and because no needles are used there are no puncture marks.
| Timeline | What You'll See |
|---|---|
| Same day | Possible redness or warmth for a few hours; back to your plans |
| Within about a day | Any slight tenderness or swelling usually settles |
| During the course | Skin often looks smoother and more hydrated as the course goes on |
| Up to about 3 months after the last session | Changes continue to develop |
Results are not permanent. They are commonly described as lasting around 6 to 12 months, depending on your age, skin and sun exposure.
After your session, keep skincare gentle, wear SPF daily, and skip saunas, hot yoga and other intense heat for 24 hours.
How Many Sessions Do You Need?
Most courses involve 4 sessions spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart. Whether you need maintenance afterwards depends on your skin, and maintenance sessions can be planned once your course is complete.
We'll confirm suitability and session numbers at your consultation.
What Makes EXION Face Different?
- Two energies at once: monopolar RF and targeted ultrasound delivered in a single pass
- AI temperature control: impedance and temperature are monitored continuously and the energy is adjusted automatically
- Nothing injected: the treatment supports your skin's own hyaluronic acid instead of adding product
- No needles: usually nothing more than brief pinkness afterwards
Can EXION Face be combined with other treatments?
It can stand alone or form part of a wider skin plan. If you have recently had fillers, thread lifts or energy treatments in the same area, tell us first so the physician can plan the timing.
What do people ask most about EXION Face?
Q: Is EXION Face the same as RF microneedling? A: No. RF microneedling delivers radiofrequency through fine needles. EXION Face uses no needles: it combines radiofrequency with targeted ultrasound and is aimed at skin quality, such as hydration and fine lines.
Q: How does it compare with an ablative laser? A: Ablative lasers resurface the skin by removing thin layers and involve a recovery period. EXION Face does not remove skin, and most people return to their routine the same day. They are aimed at different goals.
Q: Does it hurt? A: It is generally comfortable. Most people feel only a gentle warmth, no needles are used, and numbing cream is usually not needed.
Q: How is it different from hyaluronic acid filler? A: A filler adds volume by injection straight away. EXION Face injects nothing; over time it prompts the skin to make more of its own hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin.
Q: When will I see results? A: Some people see smoother, more hydrated-looking skin during the course, and changes develop for up to about 3 months after the last session. Results vary.
Q: Is there anyone who shouldn't get EXION Face? A: It is not used during pregnancy, and it is not suitable if you have a pacemaker or metal implants near the treatment area. Tell us if you are breastfeeding, have an infection, open wound or sunburn in the area, or have a condition that slows healing; the physician will review your history at the consultation.
How do I book an EXION Face consultation in Burnaby?
Book a consultation online or call +1 (604) 639-2581 — Skin Art MD is at #101 – 4378 Beresford St, Burnaby, near Metrotown, open Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–18:00. We'll review your skin and goals and, if EXION Face suits you, plan your course. Consultations are available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Skin Art MD at Metrotown — Modern aesthetic medicine in Burnaby, BC. Serving Burnaby, Vancouver, New Westminster, Coquitlam, and Metro Vancouver.
