Written by Dr Gerard Ee, MBBS (UK), MRCS (Edinburgh), Postgraduate Diploma in Practical Dermatology (Cardiff), sole author. Founder and Medical Director, The Clifford Clinic and The Clifford Surgery, Singapore.
Sylfirm X, Secret RF and Infini are RF microneedling systems, but choosing a treatment requires more than comparing brand names. The concern, device configuration and treatment protocol all matter.
I provide Secret RF and Infini. I do not provide Sylfirm X. This comparison explains the questions worth asking when considering these devices, including treatment offered elsewhere.
A practical comparison
| System | Relevant distinction | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Sylfirm X | Non-insulated needles with pulsed and continuous wave modes [1] | A mode is a treatment feature, not proof of effectiveness for every advertised concern |
| Secret RF | Non-insulated and semi-insulated tip options described by the manufacturer [2] | Ask which cartridge and protocol the proposed treatment uses |
| Infini | Insulated-needle delivery | I often favour this approach for selected settled, deeper scars; it still requires careful settings and assessment |
Maximum wattages quoted under different test conditions do not establish which machine gives the best result. Nor does a regulatory clearance establish superiority over another brand for all scars.
Match the evidence to the concern
RF research covers different devices, skin conditions and combination treatments. A favourable result for a particular protocol should not be transferred automatically to another device or indication.
For example, a small study using Sylfirm X alongside fractional CO2 laser reported benefits over laser alone for acne and scar grading. It did not compare Sylfirm X against Secret RF or Infini, or establish its effectiveness alone. [3] This is a reason to avoid the blanket claim that Sylfirm X cannot improve acne scars, while recognising the study’s limits.
For pigment concerns, diagnosis matters before choosing a machine. Melasma, brown post-acne marks and persistent redness are different conditions. For the broader picture, read the Sylfirm X Singapore review: benefits, prices and before-and-after interpretation. This article focuses on differences between the devices.
Choosing between Infini and Secret RF
For a decision specifically between the two systems I provide, read Infini vs Secret RF for acne scars. That guide covers needle configuration, scar type and pigment history, while this article considers the broader three-device comparison.
If tethering, narrow pits or another skin condition is the main problem, switching RF machines may not solve it. For tethered rolling scars, see the rolling-scar and subcision discussion. The acne scar guide explains when a different or combined treatment is considered.
Before committing to a course
Ask what improvement is realistic, how it will be measured, what recovery to allow and what the complete quotation includes. Bring details of previous sessions if the earlier course was disappointing. If that course involved Sylfirm X, read what I review when Sylfirm X has produced little scar improvement.
The RF microneedling guide for Singapore explains assessment, recovery, risks and costs for the services I provide. Contact the clinic to discuss suitability.
Related reading
- Subcision and fillers for deep atrophic scars at The Clifford Clinic.
- Hyperpigmentation in Asian skin at The Skin Longevity Clinic.
Sources
Show the 3 references
- Sylfirm X Singapore product information. Distributor description of device modes.
- Cutera. Secret RF product brochure.
- Kim J et al. Combination of fractional microneedling radiofrequency and ablative fractional laser versus ablative fractional laser alone for acne and acne scars. Yonsei Med J. 2023;64:721–729. PubMed 37992744.
