Venus Viva
Venus Viva resurfaces skin without a laser. Tiny pins deliver NanoFractional Radio Frequency energy through the surface, remodeling collagen from within. Because RF does not rely on pigment, it is safe for every skin tone, including the medium and deep tones many lasers cannot treat, and most patients are back to normal life within 24 to 48 hours.
What isVenus Viva?
Venus Viva is non-surgical skin resurfacing built on radio frequency rather than light. A treatment head studded with tiny pins creates controlled micro-injuries while RF energy heats the tissue beneath, and the combination triggers collagen remodeling that smooths texture, softens scars, and firms skin over the weeks that follow.
The pigment-blind physics is the point. Lasers target color in the skin, which is why deeper tones risk pigmentation problems with many devices. RF heats tissue regardless of tone, so Venus Viva treats Fitzpatrick types I through VI safely. Its SmartScan feature customizes the depth and pattern of energy for each patient, so intensity is tuned to your skin and your goals.
A session takes 30 to 60 minutes, with numbing cream available for comfort. Afterward skin feels like a mild sunburn, with redness and slight swelling for a day or so, and most patients are back to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours. Results build across a series of 3 to 4 sessions spaced about 4 weeks apart.
Who is Venus Viva for?
Venus Viva is for people who want resurfacing results but cannot give resurfacing downtime, and for the skin tones lasers leave behind.
If your concern calls for more depth and you can afford the recovery, the laser side of our practice, Fraxel, ProFractional, or CO2, may serve you better. The consultation sorts it honestly, and settings are customized to your skin either way.
You have a medium or deep skin tone
RF energy does not target pigment, so Venus Viva treats Fitzpatrick types I through VI, including tones at risk of pigmentation problems with lasers.
Acne scars or uneven texture
Shallow and deeper acne scarring, rough texture, and surgical scars respond to the collagen remodeling.
Fine lines and enlarged pores
The micro-resurfacing smooths early lines and visibly refines pore size.
You want minimal downtime
A weekend is more than enough. Most patients return to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours.
You prefer non-invasive care
No incisions and no anesthesia beyond optional numbing cream, in a 30 to 60 minute visit.
Where Venus Vivaworks
The face is the most common canvas, and Venus Viva also treats the neck, chest, hands, and back, including redness-prone and scarred skin.
Select an area on the figure to see what Venus Viva does there.
Venus Viva, chest
A real patient,a real result.
This is a Venus Viva before and after from our own practice, showing a raised, red area on the chest calming in both redness and texture. Individual results vary; your own series is planned at your consultation. Drag the handle to compare.
See all Venus Viva resultsIndividual results vary. Photographs are unretouched patients of The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center, shared with permission, and are not a guarantee of your own outcome.
See Venus Viva at our office
A short look at treating redness safely on darker skin, exactly the situation where Venus Viva outshines a laser.
If you would rather talk it through, a consultation covers everything you see here, for your skin.
Whatto expect.
Book a consultationCost depends on the area treated and the length of your series, so you receive a personalized quote at your consultation.
Numbing cream is optional and adds a little time; the treatment itself takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on the area.
Expect warmth and redness like a mild sunburn, with slight swelling for 1 to 3 days and sometimes light peeling. Most patients are back to normal activities within a day or two.
Some improvement shows after the first session, most arrives over several weeks, and full results follow the complete series of 3 to 4 treatments. Sunscreen and good skincare keep them going.
Frequently asked questions
Is Venus Viva painful?
It is well tolerated. Numbing cream is available, the sensation is mild heat or prickling, and the warm sunburn feeling afterward resolves quickly.
How long is the downtime?
Minimal. Redness and slight swelling last 1 to 3 days with occasional mild peeling, and most patients return to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours.
How many treatments will I need?
Usually 3 to 4 sessions, spaced about 4 weeks apart, with the result building through the series.
Is Venus Viva safe for all skin types?
Yes. Because radio frequency does not target pigment, Venus Viva safely treats Fitzpatrick skin types I through VI, including medium and dark tones that risk pigmentation issues with lasers. Settings are still customized at consultation.
When will I see results?
Some patients notice change after the first session; most improvement appears over several weeks as collagen remodels, with full results after the complete series.
How is Venus Viva different from a laser?
Lasers resurface with light, which interacts with pigment; Venus Viva resurfaces with NanoFractional Radio Frequency delivered through tiny pins. That makes it gentler, faster to recover from, and safe across every skin tone, while lasers keep the edge for the deepest single-session correction.
What does Venus Viva treat?
Acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, uneven texture, stretch marks, surgical scars, pigmentation concerns, and rosacea-prone redness, on the face, neck, chest, hands, and back.
What is the SmartScan feature?
SmartScan lets us customize the depth and pattern of the RF energy for each patient, so the same device can treat delicate areas conservatively and tougher scars more assertively.
How long do results last?
Results are long lasting because the collagen you build is your own. Sunscreen, good skincare, and periodic maintenance sessions keep skin at its best.
Where to next
Related treatment
Clear + Brilliant
Gentle laser glow, minimal downtime.
Explore the treatmentRelated concern
Lines & Wrinkles
Motion lines and creases that stay put
Start from the concernWorth reading
Reverse Sun Damage with Venus Viva!
Everyone dreams of flawless, smooth skin. Unfortunately, life tends to be make that a hard goal to achieve. Stretch marks, wrinkles...
Read the answerAsk about your skin.
Tell us what you would like to change and we will come back with the treatments that fit, honest expectations, and a time to talk it through.
Your details go straight to our Montgomery Road front desk and are never shared. A team member replies during office hours, usually the same day.
Ready when you are.
Book a consultation at our Montgomery Road office, or call and we will help you decide where to start.
Medically reviewed by Shalini Gupta, MD, Harvard-trained dermatologist and founder of The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center. Last reviewed September 2026. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.