Introduction | What exactly makes "Potenza," the trending cheese on social media, so different?
Acne scars, persistent facial redness, and sagging skin that becomes a concern with age—these are problems that have long been considered indicative of "requiring multiple treatment sessions" and "having long recovery times" in cosmetic dermatology.Potenza is a cutting-edge device that is changing conventional wisdom.It has been attracting considerable attention in recent years.
In this article, Dr. Shiramizu, the chief director of Elm Clinic, clearly explains how Potenza works, the differences between the five types of tips, and how to choose the right one for your specific concerns.
*This article is a revised and expanded version of the content from the YouTube video.
- What is Potenza? How does it work and how does it differ from Dermapen?
- A thorough comparison of 5 types of chips
- [By Tip Type] Characteristics and Suitable Problems
- Case studies showing the effects of Potenza
- Downtime
- Which chip should I choose? | Problem-Solving Matrix
- Summary | Potenza is a next-generation treatment that can be chosen according to your needs.
- Information on consultations and counseling
What is Potenza? How does it work and how does it differ from Dermapen?
A treatment that targets the dermis using "needles + radiofrequency (RF)".
Potenza is,Ultra-fine needles (microneedles) are inserted into the skin, and radio frequency (RF) is applied from the tip of the needle to generate heat.This is a medical device. It works on the same principle as an electrosurgical scalpel, delivering heat to the dermis layer of the skin to promote collagen regeneration.
Reasons why the risk of burns is low
Conventional high-frequency devices such as Thermage and Intragen work by applying heat to the surface of the skin, which meant that high power settings carried a risk of burns.
Potenza isA structure that generates heat only from the tip of the needle.Therefore, heat does not penetrate the skin surface.It can concentrate and deliver the necessary amount of heat to the required depth.That is a major technological advantage.
Differences from Dermapen
| Comparison item | Dermapen | Potenza |
|---|---|---|
| approach | Punctures are made with a needle to promote natural healing. | The dermis is stimulated with needles and high-frequency heat. |
| Movement of the needle | Perform the procedure while sliding the needle (this can easily cause tears). | Insert it vertically and pull it straight out. |
| downtime | Slightly long | Relatively short |
| How many sessions are needed for crater treatment? | Many times are needed. | Changes are more likely to be seen with fewer attempts. |
A thorough comparison of 5 types of chips
At Elm Clinic, we stock all five types of Potenza tips. Let's take a look at the overview first.
| Chip name | Main target | needle | high frequency | Drug introduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CP25 | Craters, enlarged pores, and fine lines | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| S-tip | Redness/Melasma | Yes | Yes | None |
| diamond tip | Sagging and firming | None | Yes | None |
| Acne Tip | inflammatory acne | Yes (1) | Yes | None |
| SFA | Roughness and fine lines on the surface | very shallow | Yes | None |
*The treatment menu name and the type of tip used may vary depending on your concerns and the doctor's judgment.
[By Tip Type] Characteristics and Suitable Problems
① CP25 | For craters, pores, and fine lines
"Insert a needle → Apply high-frequency current → Inject medication"A chip that performs three steps in one device..
The Potenza CP25 has a structure that applies negative pressure (suction force) at the moment the needle is removed.The drug can be delivered deep into the dermis.That's its defining characteristic. It's a trump card for severe craters and deep pores.
- Examples of treatments offered at our clinic: Potenza for porcelain skin / Potenza for crater scars / Potenza with Botox
- Suitable for: Acne scars, craters, enlarged pores, fine lines
② S Tip | For redness and melasma
It's the same as the CP25 up to the point of inserting a needle and applying high-frequency current, butNo medication is used; the treatment focuses solely on tightening capillaries.This is the chip.
- Suitable for: overall facial redness, redness from acne scars, melasma
③ Diamond Tip | For sagging and firming
Among the 5 typesThe only "no-needle" tipYes. High-frequency waves are applied to the surface of the skin, and the dermis layer is tightened with heat.
Compared to conventional radiofrequency treatments such as Thermage and Thermagen,The pain is significantly reduced.That's its main feature. There's virtually no downtime, and you can apply makeup and return to your daily life immediately after the procedure.
- Suitable for: facial sagging, loose facial contours, lack of firmness.
- Especially recommended for: those with naturally low body fat, and those concerned about sunken cheeks.
④ Acne Tip | For inflammatory acne
Insulating coatedA single needle is inserted directly into the red, swollen pimple.This is a special tip. Approximately five needles are inserted into each pimple to target the root cause of the pimple.Destroying the sebaceous glands (the tanks that produce sebum) with heat. international success.
This is not simply symptomatic treatment to suppress inflammation,An approach to prevent recurrence in the same location.This is a major characteristic.
- Suitable for: Swelling, red, inflamed acne, recurring acne
⑤ SFA | For rough skin and fine lines
skinApply high-frequency waves only to the very shallow layers.This is a tip. Redness may be more pronounced after the procedure.The small scabs (stratum corneum) peel off in about a week.This resets the roughness and fine lines on the surface.
This treatment is suitable for those who want to renew their skin's surface while avoiding deep invasiveness like that of CO2 lasers.
- Suitable for: rough skin surface, shallow fine lines, dullness
Case studies showing the effects of Potenza
Acne scars | CP25 treatment (3 sessions)
This is a case study of a patient whose skin surface was uneven due to acne scars.After three treatments, the craters themselves have become shallower, and the pores have tightened.This has been confirmed. While this condition requires many sessions with Dermapen, Potenza's strength lies in its ability to produce results in fewer sessions.

- Our Treatments
- Crater Potenza 3 times
- Treatment amount
- 242,400 JPY (TAX+)
- Side effects/risks
- Redness, heat sensation, microcrust
Facial redness | S-tip treatment (3 sessions)
A case study of a person suffering from redness all over their face.Many people feel the effects from the very first session.Significant improvement was seen after just three sessions. The ability to directly target blood vessels is a major advantage of Potenza.

- Our Treatments
- Redness Potenza 3 times
- Treatment amount
- 134,400 JPY (TAX+)
- Side effects/risks
- Redness, heat sensation, microcrust
Sagging skin | One treatment with diamond tips
This is a case where the entire face became firmer after just one treatment with a diamond tip.Nearly zero downtimeTherefore, its appeal lies in the fact that it's easy to continue using it as regular maintenance.

- Our Treatments
- Sagging Potenza (Diamond Chip) XNUMX time
- Treatment amount
- 49,800 JPY (TAX+)
- Side effects/risks
- very mild redness
Inflammatory acne | Acne chip treatment (3 sessions)
An example of treatment for swollen, red, inflamed acne.This effectively reduces inflammation and prevents recurrence in the same area.This is where it differs significantly from conventional acne treatments.

- Our Treatments
- Acne Potenza 3 times
- Treatment amount
- 80,400 JPY (TAX+)
- Side effects/risks
- Redness/temporary worsening of acne
*Further case photos and details are available on the treatment page. Individual results may vary.
Downtime
| Chip | right after | next day | Until it has completely calmed down |
|---|---|---|---|
| diamond tip | Almost none | Almost none | Almost zero |
| Tips that use needles (CP25, S tip, acne tip) | Severe redness and stinging | The redness will mostly subside / Makeup is possible. | 2〜3日程度 |
| SFA | Strong redness | Redness persists | The dead skin will peel off and settle down in about a week. |
*Downtime varies from person to person. If you have any concerns about your recovery after the procedure, please be sure to consult the clinic.
Which chip should I choose? | Problem-Solving Matrix
| problems or issues | Recommended chips |
|---|---|
| Acne scars, craters, deep pores | CP25 |
| Facial redness/melasma | S-tip |
| Sagging skin (for those who don't want to reduce fat) | diamond tip |
| Inflammatory acne / Recurring acne | Acne Tip |
| Roughness and shallow fine lines on the skin surface | SFA |
Summary | Potenza is a next-generation treatment that can be chosen according to your needs.
- Potenza is a treatment device that approaches the dermis using "needles + radiofrequency".
- Because heat does not penetrate the surface, the risk of burns is reduced, and sufficient heat can be delivered to the deeper layers.
- By using five different types of tips, you can address a wide range of issues, from craters and redness to sagging, acne, and roughness.
- Vertical insertion results in shorter downtime compared to Dermapen.
- It's best to consult with a doctor to determine which tip is right for you.
Potenza addresses skin problems that have previously been considered "difficult to treat."Treatments that may produce results in a small number of sessionsHowever, whether you can unleash its full potential is another matter.Tip selection and irradiation settings, i.e., doctor's diagnosis.It depends on.
Please feel free to ask any specific questions you may have during your consultation, such as "Which tip is right for my skin?" or "How many times will I need to use it?"
Information on consultations and counseling
At Elm ClinicFree counselingWe offer this service. We will directly examine your skin condition and propose the most suitable treatment plan from our selection of five different chips.
*This article is based on content from our clinic's YouTube videos and was created under the supervision of a physician. Diagnosis and treatment plans vary from patient to patient. Please be sure to consult a physician before considering any treatment.

