Some skin treatments are impressive on their own, but even better when paired strategically.
EXION RF microneedling and Rejuran are quickly becoming a popular skin rejuvenation example, combining collagen stimulation, tightening and skin regeneration in one powerful treatment plan.
What Is EXION Microneedling?
In simple terms, EXION microneedling works from the “outside in,” using energy and mechanical micro-injury to jump-start the skin’s own rebuilding process.
EXION is a multiplatform radiofrequency device developed by BTL, and its Face applicator is designed specifically for delicate facial tissue. Rather than relying on a single energy source, EXION Face combines monopolar radiofrequency with targeted ultrasound, and in its microneedling configuration, it pairs RF energy with fine needles guided by AI-driven controls.
The mechanism is fundamentally about heat. As the device glides across the skin (or delivers RF through microneedles), it generates controlled thermal stress in the deeper reticular dermis. That thermal stress does two important things: it stimulates fibroblasts- the cells responsible for producing collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, and it increases local blood circulation, which supports tissue repair. Over the following weeks, the skin responds by tightening, remodelling, and gradually producing more of its own structural proteins.
In the microneedling format, EXION adds a second mechanism, controlled micro-injury. The needles create tiny channels in the skin, triggering the body’s wound-healing cascade, while simultaneously delivering RF energy to the base of each channel for a deeper thermal effect, reportedly reaching several millimetres below the surface without full needle insertion. The result is a treatment that’s often described as addressing skin laxity, fine lines, uneven texture, and mild scarring, largely through structural remodelling and controlled heat-driven collagen synthesis.
What Is Rejuran?
Rejuran takes a completely different route to the same broad goal of healthier, firmer, more resilient skin. It works from the “inside out,” supplying the raw regenerative material and biochemical signals that encourage the skin to repair and rebuild itself.
Rejuran an injectable treatment built around polynucleotides (long chains of DNA fragments), most commonly derived from salmon, delivered directly into the dermis via a series of fine micro-injections.
Unlike dermal fillers, Rejuran isn’t about adding volume. Its job is regenerative. Once injected, the PN molecules form a hydrophilic, scaffold-like matrix within the dermis. This scaffold does more than just add moisture, it actively stimulates fibroblast activity, encourages new collagen, elastin, and extracellular-matrix production, and has documented anti-inflammatory and microcirculation-boosting properties. Clinical research on polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) injections has shown measurable improvements in skin elasticity, dermal thickness, and hydration, all tied to this fibroblast-activation mechanism.
Because it’s delivered as a series of small aliquots spaced a few millimetres apart across the treatment area, Rejuran effectively “seeds” the dermis with these regenerative building blocks, working from within the tissue outward. It’s typically administered over a course of three to four sessions spaced several weeks apart, with results building gradually and lasting around six months per course.
What makes EXION Microneedling and Rejuran a Powerful Collagen Treatment Duo
EXION microneedling and Rejuran work on the same target cell through different mechanisms, and combining them lets a treatment plan address a broader range of concerns in one place.
Same Target Cell, Two Different Signals
Both treatments converge on the fibroblast, the cell responsible for producing collagen and elastin. EXION microneedling stimulates fibroblasts through controlled heat and mechanical micro-injury. Rejuran stimulates them biochemically, through the PN scaffold and its signalling effects. Activating the same cell population through two distinct mechanisms is one of the reasons providers pair the two treatments in a single plan.
Structural Tightening Plus Tissue Quality
EXION microneedling is particularly suited to addressing looseness and sagging, the structural side of ageing skin. Rejuran is particularly suited to improving the underlying quality of the tissue itself, including hydration, elasticity, and the skin’s capacity to repair. Think of EXION as working on the frame, and Rejuran as replenishing the quality of the material that frame is built from.
Complementary Depths
EXION’s RF and microneedling combination is designed to reach the deeper reticular dermis and, in some cases, deeper still, generating a broad thermal effect across the treatment area. Rejuran’s micro-injections are placed at specific depths and intervals within the dermis, delivering regenerative material to precise locations. Used as a combined plan, the two approaches cover more of the skin’s structural layers than either would alone.
Supporting Recovery Between Sessions
Both treatments rely on the body’s wound-healing response, EXION microneedling through thermal and micro-needle injury, and Rejuran through the anti-inflammatory and reparative properties of PN. Providers who combine the two often time sessions so that Rejuran’s anti-inflammatory and circulation-supporting effects fall alongside recovery from an EXION session.
Who This Combination Suits
Because the two treatments work differently, combining them can address sagging and volume loss, fine lines, uneven texture, enlarged pores, mild acne scarring, dullness, and dehydration within a single treatment plan, without escalating to surgery. It suits patients who want visible improvement in skin quality and firmness but aren’t ready for a surgical procedure, and it’s often built into a broader facial rejuvenation plan alongside other collagen stimulating treatments.
What to Consider Before Combining Treatments
No combination treatment plan is right for everyone. Rejuran is derived from salmon DNA, so it isn’t suitable for anyone with a fish allergy or certain other sensitivities, and it should be approached with caution around recent filler injections in the same area. EXION microneedling involves controlled heat and controlled skin injury, both of which carry the usual temporary redness, swelling, and short recovery window common to energy-based devices.
A qualified provider needs to assess your skin, medical history, and goals before recommending any combination protocol, and results vary from person to person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can EXION microneedling and Rejuran be done in the same treatment plan? Yes. Because they work through different mechanisms and target different layers of the skin, providers commonly build them into the same overall plan, with sessions timed to support recovery between treatments. Your provider will confirm the right sequence for your skin at consultation.
Is Rejuran safe for everyone? Rejuran isn’t suitable for people with a fish allergy or certain other sensitivities, since it’s derived from salmon DNA. It should also be approached with caution if you’ve had recent filler injections in the same area. A consultation with your provider will confirm whether it’s appropriate for you.
What’s the difference between EXION microneedling and traditional microneedling? Traditional microneedling relies on the micro-injuries created by the needles alone. EXION microneedling adds monopolar radiofrequency energy at the base of each needle channel, plus AI-controlled delivery, to extend the thermal effect deeper into the skin without needing deeper needle penetration.
How many Rejuran sessions are usually needed? Rejuran is typically given as a course of three to four sessions, spaced several weeks apart, with results building gradually across the course. Results are generally reported to last around six months per course.
Does combining EXION microneedling with Rejuran mean more downtime? Both treatments come with a short recovery window: temporary redness and swelling for EXION microneedling, and small injection marks for Rejuran. Your provider will talk you through what to expect and how sessions are spaced to manage this.
Book a Free Consultation at Define Laser
EXION microneedling and Rejuran are two different approaches to the same goal: firmer, better-textured skin with healthier long-term collagen support. Book a free consultation with Dr Watson or Nurse Aash to find out whether a combined plan is right for your skin.