Sylfirm X is a pulsed-type RF microneedling device made by Viol, and its fine needles release radiofrequency energy just under the surface, aimed at pigment, redness and enlarged pores. For Sylfirm X in Seoul at Pixelab Beauty Clinic, one session or a five-session package is listed before VAT, and a same-day flight home is possible.
Viol · Sylfirm X
Is it for you?
Who Sylfirm X suits, and when to wait
Sylfirm X is picked for concerns that sit where the outer skin meets the dermis, the zone in which pigment cells and small blood vessels interact. Research on pulsed-type microneedle RF has looked at stubborn facial pigment, melasma, acne redness and pores. These studies are small, so the expected change is gradual and differs from one face to the next (Park, 2022).
Because the needles pass through the skin barrier, the skin has to be calm and intact on the day of treatment. The conditions in the second column are reasons to postpone, and several of them only need time, healed skin or a change of medicine before a session can go ahead.
Usually a good fit
- Melasma or stubborn facial pigment that creams have not settled
- Redness left behind after acne has calmed down
- Enlarged pores on the cheeks or nose
- Rough texture you want refined without an ablative laser
- Time for 3–5 visits spaced 4–6 weeks apart
We may suggest waiting
- Active acne, a cold sore or broken skin on the face
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- A pacemaker or other implanted electronic device
- Metal implants or gold threads in the treatment area
- Keloid-prone skin (judged case by case)
- A fresh tan or recent isotretinoin
Your doctor
Founder and medical director · Korean board-certified plastic surgeon
“From learning to teaching.”Trained at Seoul & Incheon St. Mary's Hospitals. Now leading hands-on sessions for visiting doctors.
- ResidentPlastic surgery, Catholic Univ. Seoul St. Mary's Hospital
- FellowClinical fellow, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital
- AlmaTitanium Global Trainer
- JeisysDENSITY ALPHA TIP Ambassador
- MemberKorean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
How it works
How Sylfirm X delivers RF through microneedles
Radiofrequency (RF) is an electrical current that turns into heat when it meets the resistance of tissue. In Sylfirm X the current passes between paired, non-insulated needles, so heat forms in a small zone around each needle inside the skin while the surface between the needles stays intact. Delivering RF through needles is what sets microneedle RF apart from RF devices that warm the skin from the surface.
Research describes the device as a pulsed-type microneedle RF. Energy arrives in very short bursts, a pattern studied for pigment disorders linked to the basement membrane and the fine vessels beneath it (Park, 2022). The device also has a continuous mode, which spreads heat more broadly and is aimed at pores and texture.
Needle depth, the number of passes and the mode change from zone to zone. The cheekbones, where melasma tends to sit, can be handled differently from the nose, where pores are the main concern. The clinic's guidance notes that the session count and spacing depend on the tip in use.
Evidence is still thin. Pore studies used fractional microneedle RF devices in general (Ren, 2022). A melasma pilot found that adding polynucleotide injections did not outperform RF alone, while the RF itself improved roughness and helped as a supporting treatment (Gulfan, 2022). Acne redness also faded in a small group treated with a fractional microneedle RF device (Min, 2016). None of these results can be read as a forecast for one person.
Skin check
At consultationPigment, redness and pores are mapped by area, and medicines and implants are reviewed.
Cleansing and numbing
Makeup is removed and numbing cream is spread over the face.
Needle passes
The handpiece is pressed section by section while depth and mode change between zones.
Calming the skin
The skin is cooled and soothed, and aftercare notes are handed over before you leave.
RF microneedling options at Pixelab Beauty Clinic
| Criteria | Sylfirm X | Potenza N25 | Potenza Agnes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device type | Pulsed-type microneedle RF | Microneedle RF tip on Potenza | Insulated single-needle RF tip |
| Aimed at | Pigment, redness, pores and texture | Pores, per the price list | Acne-prone areas |
| How heat is placed | Short pulses between paired needles | Listed as similar to Sylfirm X | Heat held at the needle tip |
| How it is priced | 1 session or 5-session package | Per session | Both cheeks or full face |
| From | ₩330,000 + VAT | See Potenza prices | See Potenza prices |
The price list calls Potenza N25 similar to Sylfirm X; they are separate devices, and the table describes each option without ranking them.
Session by session
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Session 1 | Depth and mode are matched to each zone and the skin's reaction is noted. |
| Sessions 2–3 | Each comes 4–6 weeks after the last, with settings adjusted to how the skin responded. |
| Sessions 4–5 | Added only if the concern still needs work, within the clinic's guide of 3–5 sessions. |
At a glance
Sylfirm X: numbing, downtime and sessions
| Numbing | Numbing cream |
|---|---|
| Downtime | Redness and warmth 3+ days; fine crusts possible 7+ days |
| Recommended sessions | 3–5 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart; varies by tip |
| How long results last | Varies with the treatment goal and skin condition |
| Earliest flight home | Same-day flight home is possible |
Prices
Sylfirm X Cost in South Korea
Sylfirm X at Pixelab Beauty Clinic is priced per session, with a five-session package as the second option. Both figures are before VAT. The 10% VAT is added at payment, and each card shows the VAT-inclusive amount beside the base price.
The package lines up with the upper end of the clinic's 3–5 session guide, which fits a pigment or redness plan that needs several visits 4–6 weeks apart. If you live abroad, that spacing decides how many trips a course takes, so request a written quote that lists the number of sessions and any add-ons before you book flights.
Recovery
What the skin does after Sylfirm X
Redness and warmth start; flying home the same day is possible
Redness and warmth last 3 days or more; use a mild cleanser
Fine crusts can stay 7 days or longer; let them shed
The next session falls 4–6 weeks after this one
Safety
Sylfirm X side effects and limits
Microneedle RF pairs needle punctures with heat, and each brings its own effects. The known ones are:
- Redness, warmth and swelling for several days after the session.
- Fine crusts or a grid of tiny dots where the needles entered.
- Pinpoint bleeding or bruising, more visible on thin skin near the eyes.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a temporary darkening more likely in darker skin and with sun on healing skin.
- Infection or a cold sore flare in people who carry the herpes simplex virus.
- Breakouts or small bumps while the skin recovers.
- Burns or marks if heat builds up, a known risk of any RF device.
Pigment conditions can come back. Melasma reacts to hormones, heat and sunlight, so any improvement after a course depends on daily sun protection afterward. A network meta-analysis of energy-based devices for rosacea placed RF microneedling well for redness, though the devices in those trials may differ from Sylfirm X (Nguyen, 2025).
Contact the clinic promptly if pain increases, swelling spreads, pus appears or blisters form.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Therapeutic Effects of New Pulsed-Type Microneedling Radiofrequency for Refractory Facial Pigmentary DisordersDermatologic Surgery · 2022 · Park B et al. · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000003367
A Korean cohort study suggesting pulsed-type microneedle RF can be a treatment option for refractory facial pigment disorders; small and uncontrolled.
- Efficacy and Safety of Using Noninsulated Microneedle Radiofrequency Alone Versus in Combination with Polynucleotides for the Treatment of Melasma: A Pilot StudyDermatology and Therapy · 2022 · Gulfan M et al. · doi:10.1007/s13555-022-00728-8
A melasma pilot in which adding polynucleotides to pulsed bipolar microneedle RF was not better than RF alone; RF improved roughness and worked as a supporting treatment.
- Fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment for enlarged facial pores: A real‐world retrospective observational study on 75 patientsJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2022 · Ren K et al. · doi:10.1111/jocd.15339
A retrospective study of 75 patients in which fractional microneedle RF improved enlarged facial pores; general device evidence, used here as background.
- Fractional Microneedling Radiofrequency Treatment for Acne-related Post-inflammatory ErythemaActa Dermato Venereologica · 2016 · Min S et al. · doi:10.2340/00015555-2164
A 25-patient study in which fractional microneedle RF reduced redness left after acne without serious side effects; the device may differ from Sylfirm X.
- Laser and energy‐based devices for treating rosacea ‐ a systematic review and network meta‐analysisJDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft · 2025 · Nguyen L et al. · doi:10.1111/ddg.15961
A network meta-analysis of energy-based rosacea treatments in which RF microneedling did well for redness and satisfaction; device identity with Sylfirm X is unconfirmed.
FAQ
Sylfirm X questions from overseas visitors
What is Sylfirm X used for?
Sylfirm X is used for melasma and other stubborn pigment, redness that lingers after acne, and enlarged pores. Its needles carry radiofrequency energy into the skin in short pulses or as a continuous wave. Published studies are small, so change is described as gradual and different for each person.
Can Sylfirm X help with melasma?
It can be one part of a melasma plan. A Korean study reported pulsed-type microneedle RF as an option for stubborn facial pigment, though the group was small. Melasma can return with sun, heat and hormones, so sunscreen and follow-up matter as much as the sessions themselves.
What does my skin look like in the days after Sylfirm X?
Redness and warmth last 3 days or more, and fine crusts may stay for 7 days or longer. Deeper needle settings and a larger treated area push you toward the longer end. Leave the crusts alone, and use a mild cleanser and moisturizer until they shed.
Can I fly home on the day of Sylfirm X?
Yes. The clinic's guidance is that a same-day flight home is possible. Cabin air dries healing skin, so carry a plain moisturizer and keep sunscreen on at your destination. If you plan a full course, each return trip falls 4 to 6 weeks after the previous session.
How many Sylfirm X sessions will I need?
The clinic's guide is 3 to 5 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, and the exact count varies with the tip in use. Melasma and deep redness may sit at the higher end. How your skin responds after each visit shapes the plan for the next one.
Who leads treatment planning at Pixelab Beauty Clinic?
Pixelab Beauty Clinic is led by Dr. Jongkeun Song, a Korean board-certified plastic surgeon. Plastic surgery training includes wound healing and skin repair, the groundwork for judging needle depth against skin thickness. Dr. Song completed plastic surgery residency at The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital.
Are Sylfirm X prices shown before or after VAT?
Before VAT. One session is ₩330,000 before VAT and ₩363,000 once 10% VAT is added at payment. The five-session package is listed the same way, and your written quote shows which sessions and add-ons the total covers.
Should I choose Sylfirm X or Potenza N25?
They are separate devices that the price list describes as similar. Sylfirm X is picked when pigment or redness is part of the concern, since its pulsed mode was studied for those conditions. Potenza N25 is listed for pores. Your skin check decides which one suits you.
Does Sylfirm X hurt?
Numbing cream is applied before the needle passes. You may still feel pricking and heat, which can be stronger over bony areas such as the forehead and cheekbones. Tell the clinic if numbing creams have irritated your skin before, so the skin can be prepared another way.
Can I talk to the clinic in English before booking?
Yes. An English interpreter is on staff at the clinic, and you can send photos and questions on WhatsApp in English before you travel. We will get back to you as soon as possible with details on sessions, spacing and prices.
Is a deposit needed for a Sylfirm X booking?
Deposit and cancellation terms are not listed on this page. Ask for them in writing before you transfer money, especially if you are booking a five-session package that spans several trips to Seoul and your dates may move.
Can skin with rosacea or flushing have Sylfirm X?
It may be considered once flushing is calm on the day. Fractional microneedle RF improved rosacea modestly in a small trial, though that device may differ from Sylfirm X. Flaring skin, open spots or a recent peel mean the session is postponed.