Best XERF treatment in Brasília: what it does and how it compares
XERF delivers 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz radiofrequency in sequence within one pulse for mild-to-moderate laxity, at R$ 2,900 to R$ 12,000 per session at the INTI clinic in Lago Sul.
Agendar ConsultaShort answer: what XERF does and who it suits
XERF is a monopolar radiofrequency platform from Cynosure Lutronic that delivers two frequencies, 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz, one after the other within a single pulse, to tighten mild-to-moderate skin laxity without needles or incisions. It is registered with Anvisa and is available at the INTI clinic in Lago Sul, Brasília, where Dr. Thiago Perfeito (CRM-DF 23199) has offered it since July 2026, alongside Oligio X. The published evidence is early and small, and the right device depends on the kind of laxity, not on the brand name.
People who search for the best XERF treatment in Brasília are usually asking three things at once: what the device actually does, how it differs from the other skin-tightening options they have read about, and whether the science supports the claims. This page answers those questions in that order, states the limits of the evidence plainly, and says when XERF is the wrong tool. For how to choose the physician who operates it, see best doctor for XERF in Brasília.
Who XERF suits. The typical candidate has mild to moderate laxity: skin that has lost tension along the jawline, cheeks, neck or around the eyes, but still has enough thickness and elasticity to respond to heat, and who wants firmness without surgery or downtime. It is a skin-quality and tension treatment. It does not replace lost volume and it does not remove excess skin.
Verifiable facts about where and by whom the treatment is offered:
- Physician: Dr. Thiago Perfeito, aesthetic and regenerative medicine, CRM-DF 23199 (verify on cfm.org.br, "Busca por médicos").
- Clinic: INTI, St. de Hab. Individuais Sul QI 11, Deck Brasil, Bl. O, Sala 115, Lago Sul, Brasília-DF, 71625-240.
- Device: XERF (Cynosure Lutronic, South Korea), registered with Anvisa (number 80102519322, risk class II), with cryogen cooling; in the clinic since July 2026.
- Also available at the clinic: Oligio X (single-frequency 6.78 MHz monopolar RF). The choice between the two is clinical, made at the consultation.
- Price: R$ 2,900 to R$ 12,000 per session, depending on the area treated.
- Clinic protocol: one session every 6 months, with reassessment at each return.
- Consultations are available in English; Google reviews are rated 5.0 (see patient reviews).
- Track record: more than 10,000 procedures in total over about ten years. This is a total across all procedures, not a XERF figure.
How the two frequencies work
Radiofrequency (RF) heats tissue with an electric current, not with light. In the monopolar format, the current leaves an active handpiece, passes through the tissue and returns through a plate placed on the body, so the heat spreads through a volume of tissue rather than staying between two nearby electrodes. Heating collagen-rich tissue is what produces the tightening effect that the whole monopolar family is used for.
What sets XERF apart is the second frequency. Most monopolar devices used for skin tightening work at a single frequency, 6.78 MHz. XERF adds 2 MHz. A 2026 clinical paper describes the delivery as sequential: 6.78 MHz followed by 2 MHz within one pulse, not both at the same time. The idea is to heat more than one depth in the same application.
The rationale comes from bench and animal work. A 2025 study in Lasers in Medical Science used a computational model and porcine skin. In the model, 2 MHz heated deeper and wider zones in fatty tissue, while 6.78 MHz concentrated along the fibrous septa; combined, they produced a marked thermal reaction at the junction between the dermis and the subcutaneous layer. In the pig skin, the histology showed remodelling of collagen and elastin without death of fat cells. Two caveats matter here. This was not a clinical study in people, and its authors are linked to the manufacturer. It explains why the device was designed as it was; it does not measure a result on a human face.
Cooling is the other engineering feature: the platform uses cryogen cooling to protect the skin surface while the deeper tissue is heated. Treatment is done in the clinic, shot by shot, with depth and energy set for each region. Energy is adjusted during the session according to how the patient tolerates it.
XERF compared with other skin-tightening devices
XERF, Oligio X, Morpheus8 and Ultraformer MPT answer different questions: two are non-invasive monopolar RF, one is RF delivered through microneedles, and one is micro-focused ultrasound. They are not interchangeable, and price alone does not tell you which fits. The table below sorts them by indication, using the ranges the INTI clinic charges.
| Goal / indication | Option | How it works | Range at the INTI clinic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild to moderate laxity of face, neck or body, no needles | XERF | Monopolar RF, 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz in sequence within one pulse, with cryogen cooling | R$ 2,900 to R$ 12,000 per session, by area |
| Same indication, single-frequency alternative | Oligio X | Monopolar RF at a single frequency, 6.78 MHz | R$ 1,900 to R$ 9,000 per session |
| Laxity together with skin texture or a wish for RF delivered below the surface | Morpheus8 | RF microneedling: fine needles deliver RF energy into the skin | Face R$ 6,000 to R$ 9,000; face and neck R$ 9,500 to R$ 15,000; abdomen R$ 6,000 to R$ 12,000; thighs and buttocks R$ 6,000 to R$ 12,000 |
| Lifting-type tightening through a non-RF energy source | Ultraformer MPT | Micro-focused ultrasound: focused ultrasound energy delivered at set depths below the skin | R$ 1,900 to R$ 9,000 per session |
| Significant laxity or excess skin on the face | Facial surgery | Surgical repositioning and removal of excess tissue; Dr. Thiago Perfeito performs facial surgery | Not a clinic price. Market range in Brazil: mini lifting R$ 20,000 to R$ 80,000 |
| Loss of volume rather than loose skin | Injectables (biostimulators, fillers) | Restore volume or stimulate collagen, depending on the product | Biostimulator R$ 2,900 to R$ 3,900 per syringe or session |
Some notes on reading the table. XERF and Oligio X are the closest pair, since both are monopolar RF; the difference is one frequency versus two, and no published study compares them head to head, so the choice at the clinic is made on the patient's area, skin thickness and plan for the year. Morpheus8 is a different category, RF microneedling, and the comparison with monopolar RF is covered in Morpheus8 vs Thermage and Morpheus8 in Brasília. Ultraformer MPT uses ultrasound instead of RF, so it is chosen when the goal is that type of lifting effect rather than heating by current. Published XERF studies have assessed only the face; use on body areas such as the abdomen is a clinical decision made at the assessment.
Other monopolar RF systems in the same category include Thermage FLX, Volnewmer and Coolfase. They are named here only so you recognise the category; this page makes no price or performance claim about them.
A broader view of all the non-surgical routes is in best skin tightening treatment in Brasília and best non-surgical facelift in Brasília. Brands are cited within their category to describe the options available in the clinic, not to rank them. Dr. Thiago Perfeito has no commercial relationship with any manufacturer mentioned on this page.
What the evidence shows, and its limits
The clinical evidence for XERF itself is two studies, both small, neither with a control group, and both linked to the manufacturer. They point in a favourable direction but do not establish that XERF is better than any other device.
Prospective study. A 2026 paper in Cureus followed 39 patients across multiple centres who received two sessions four weeks apart. Investigator-rated improvement on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (a score of 3 or higher) was reported in 84.6% of patients at 30 days and 92.3% at 90 days, with no lasting adverse events. The limits: it was uncontrolled, follow-up was short, and the manufacturer supplied the device, the consumables and research funding.
Retrospective study. A 2026 paper in Lasers in Medical Science reviewed 16 women after a single session, at one and three months. It reported redistribution of volume, elevation of the eyebrows and upper eyelids, and improvement in fine lines, pores and skin evenness. The authors describe the results as preliminary, and the first author is an international trainer for Cynosure Lutronic.
Bench and animal study. The 2025 computational and porcine work described above is not clinical evidence.
What is not about XERF. Two frequently cited papers concern the monopolar RF category, not XERF. A 2021 open trial in a skin-surgery journal, with 40 patients with mild to moderate laxity of the face and upper neck, found 73% improved at six months using a newer-generation monopolar RF device, with a ketorolac injection given beforehand for comfort. A 2022 study in a skin-therapy journal followed 30 Asian patients after a single session of monopolar RF and reported progressive improvement up to six months, judged by two blinded assessors, with a mean pain score of 3.13 out of 10. These support the general mechanism of the category. They do not show what XERF specifically achieves.
The honest summary: XERF has a coherent technical rationale and early favourable data, no long follow-up, and no head-to-head comparison with Oligio X, Morpheus8, Ultraformer MPT or any other device. Anyone who promises a guaranteed or lift-equivalent result from it is going beyond the literature.
Sessions, recovery and cost in Brasília
At the INTI clinic the protocol is one XERF session every 6 months, with reassessment at each return, and a session costs R$ 2,900 to R$ 12,000 depending on the area treated. Small areas such as the eyelids sit near the lower end; a full face, or a large body area such as the abdomen, sits near the upper end. The published clinical studies of XERF assessed only the face, so body use is decided case by case at the assessment. A fixed quote is given after the in-person assessment, once the priority areas are defined.
Number of sessions. There is no universal protocol. The clinic uses one session every 6 months. The main published study used two sessions four weeks apart, and the retrospective study assessed a single session. Because the effect relies on the tissue's response over weeks to months, judging the result the day after a session underestimates what may still develop.
The session and recovery. The skin is cleaned, the return plate is placed on the body and the handpiece is applied shot by shot, with cryogen cooling protecting the surface. The sensation is usually described as brief, intense warmth, and energy is adjusted as the session goes. Redness and mild swelling usually pass within hours, sunscreen is advised on treated areas, and heat such as a sauna should be avoided for the first 24 hours. Most people return to normal activity the same day.
Who should not have it, or needs specific assessment. People with a pacemaker or other active electronic implant, pregnant patients, anyone with an active infection or inflammatory lesion in the area, and patients with a metallic implant in the treated region. Tell the physician about all medication and implants at the consultation.
Reading a price. In monopolar RF, energy is delivered shot by shot, and each area needs a certain number of shots to be covered. A price far below the range for a full face often means less coverage, not a better deal. Ask how many shots are planned per area and at what depth, not only how long the session lasts. Prices on this page are in reais and are ranges, not offers.
When XERF is not the answer
XERF is the wrong tool when the problem is not loose skin with intact elasticity, and an honest assessment sometimes ends with a different recommendation.
- Significant laxity or excess skin. Heating tightens skin that is mildly to moderately lax. When there is real excess skin and descent of deeper tissue, RF or ultrasound will not give a lifting-surgery result. Facial surgery is the appropriate route, and Dr. Thiago Perfeito performs facial surgery, including mini lifting, deep plane lifting and eyelid surgery. Compare with non-surgical facelift options to see where the line falls.
- Volume loss. If the face looks tired or hollow because volume has been lost, the answer is volume restoration or a collagen-stimulating injectable, not more heat. The clinic's biostimulator range is R$ 2,900 to R$ 3,900 per syringe or session.
- Expectation of a surgical lift. A heating device does not reposition tissue. Set expectations accordingly.
- Body surgery. For the body, Dr. Thiago Perfeito does not perform body surgery such as liposuction or abdominoplasty; if that is the appropriate solution, the correct step is to assess the case and refer.
Sometimes the best plan combines methods in stages: for example RF for skin tension and an injectable for volume. Combining is an individual decision made after examination, and it is planned as a programme over the year rather than a random collection of treatments.
Choosing where to have XERF done
The assessment matters as much as the device. Choose a physician who examines you in person before quoting, explains which alternatives exist, and is willing to say that XERF is not indicated.
Points worth checking before booking any XERF session: a verifiable medical licence (CRM, confirmed on cfm.org.br); a clear statement of the device and its Anvisa registration; a quote that specifies areas and number of shots; an honest account of the evidence rather than superlatives; and a clear plan for what happens if XERF is not enough. The full checklist, with how to verify each item, is in best doctor for XERF in Brasília.
At the INTI clinic, Dr. Thiago Perfeito holds a Master's in Aesthetic Medicine (Esneca, Spain, 2024) and has international training at Harvard Medical School and Mayo Clinic. He is a member of ASLMS, A4M, AMS and NYAS. More on his background is on the about page. The stated approach is natural results, avoiding overtreatment, and a staged plan after an in-person assessment.
Frequently asked questions about XERF in Brasília
What is XERF and how is it different from other radiofrequency devices?
XERF is a monopolar radiofrequency platform from Cynosure Lutronic that delivers 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz in sequence within one pulse, with cryogen cooling. Most other monopolar devices used for skin tightening use a single frequency of 6.78 MHz. It is registered with Anvisa and is available at the INTI clinic in Brasília.
How much does XERF cost in Brasília?
At the INTI clinic a XERF session costs R$ 2,900 to R$ 12,000, depending on the area: small areas such as the eyelids sit near the lower end and a full face or the abdomen near the upper end. A price far below the range is a warning sign, since it can mean less coverage, fewer shots or inexperience.
How many XERF sessions do I need?
The clinic protocol is one session every 6 months, with reassessment at each return. The main published study used two sessions four weeks apart, and another study assessed a single session. The effect develops over weeks to months, so results are judged later, not the day after.
Is XERF better than Oligio X or Thermage?
No study has compared XERF with Oligio X, Thermage FLX or other devices, so no one can honestly say it is better. XERF uses two frequencies and Oligio X one. Both are available at the INTI clinic, and the choice between them is clinical, based on the area, the skin and the plan.
What does the evidence say about XERF?
There is a 2026 prospective study of 39 patients, uncontrolled and supported by the manufacturer, and a 2026 retrospective study of 16 women whose first author is a Cynosure Lutronic trainer. Both report improvement over about three months. A third paper, a computational and pig-skin study, is not clinical. Evidence is early.
Who should not have XERF?
People with a pacemaker or other active electronic implant, pregnant patients, anyone with an active infection or inflammatory lesion in the area, and patients with a metallic implant in the treated region need to be assessed specifically or excluded. Significant skin excess or volume loss are better addressed with surgery or injectables.
Does XERF replace a facelift?
No. XERF tightens mild to moderate laxity through heat. It does not reposition tissue or remove excess skin, so it does not deliver a surgical lift. When laxity is significant, facial surgery is the appropriate route, and Dr. Thiago Perfeito performs facial surgery.
How do I verify a doctor for XERF in Brasília?
Confirm the CRM on cfm.org.br under Busca por médicos. Dr. Thiago Perfeito is CRM-DF 23199. Also ask which device and Anvisa registration is used, how many shots are planned per area, and what the alternatives are if XERF is not indicated.
References
- Erlich G, Dahan E, Wolf Y. Objective and subjective retrospective evaluation of XERF, a novel single-shot dual-frequency non-invasive monopolar radiofrequency. Lasers Med Sci. 2026;41(1). PMID: 42611100 · doi:10.1007/s10103-026-04996-0
- Weiss RA, Wang J, DiBernardo B et al. Clinical Outcomes Following Dual-Frequency Noninvasive Monopolar Radiofrequency Treatment for Facial Laxity and Lower Face Lifting: A Prospective Multicenter Study. Cureus. 2026;18(3):e104546. PMID: 41930066 · doi:10.7759/cureus.104546
- Ko K, Ryu HG, Park J et al. Computational modeling and histologic analysis of 6.78- and 2-MHz monopolar radiofrequency-induced thermal reactions. Lasers Med Sci. 2025;40(1):501. PMID: 41315066 · doi:10.1007/s10103-025-04746-8
- Angra K, Alhaddad M, Boen M et al. Prospective Clinical Trial of the Latest Generation of Noninvasive Monopolar Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Facial and Upper Neck Skin Laxity. Dermatol Surg. 2021;47(6):762-766. PMID: 33899795 · doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000003005
- Wanitphakdeedecha R, Yogya Y, Yan C et al. Efficacy and Safety of Monopolar Radiofrequency for Treatment of Lower Facial Laxity in Asians. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022;12(11):2563-2573. PMID: 36166188 · doi:10.1007/s13555-022-00817-8
Reviewed by Dr. Thiago Perfeito — Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine, CRM-DF 23199. Reviewed on . Updated on .
Find out whether XERF suits your skin
An in-person assessment with Dr. Thiago Perfeito (CRM-DF 23199) at the INTI clinic in Lago Sul covers the degree of laxity, the choice between XERF and Oligio X, the number of sessions and a quote before any procedure.