What Is the XERF Facelift? Nurse Jamie Breaks Down Kim Kardashian's Viral Skin-Tightening Treatment
Last updated: June 2026
XERFJump to a question
- What is the XERF facelift?
- Is XERF a laser?
- Why is everyone talking about XERF?
- How does XERF work?
- Does XERF hurt, and is there downtime?
- Will XERF melt my facial fat?
- Who is XERF best for?
- How often do you need XERF, and when will you see results?
- How much does XERF cost?
- Where can you get XERF?
- XERF vs a surgical facelift
What is the XERF facelift?
XERF is a non-surgical, no-downtime skin-tightening treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate your skin's own collagen. It is often called a "non-invasive facelift," though it is not surgery and does not deliver surgical results. Instead of adding volume with filler, it firms and lifts by getting your body to build new collagen.
Nurse Jamie describes it as part of a bigger shift in aesthetics: people are moving away from the over-injected "pillow face" look and toward building their own collagen for a more natural result. She calls this approach collagen banking.
Nurse Jamie explains what XERF is in the first couple of minutes of the bonus episode.
Is XERF a laser?
No. Even though Kim Kardashian called it a "tightening laser," XERF is technically a radiofrequency (RF) device, not a laser. The difference matters. Lasers use specific wavelengths of light to target pigment or water in the skin. XERF uses radiofrequency energy to generate gentle, controlled heat below the surface, which is what triggers collagen remodeling and tightening.
It is also notable for being a multifrequency monopolar RF system, meaning it works at more than one depth at once to reach both the surface layers and the deeper structural layer of the face.
Why is everyone talking about XERF?
XERF came out of South Korea, the heart of the K-beauty movement, and made its way to the US market recently. It exploded in popularity after Kim Kardashian shared her treatment on Instagram, and other celebrities like Priyanka Chopra have since posted their own XERF appointments.
As Nurse Jamie puts it on the podcast, the Kardashian post blew it up, and demand has been intense ever since. The machine itself carries a serious price tag, which she jokingly compares to the price of a Ferrari, and at the time of recording she noted only around 15 of them existed in the entire United States.
She covers the Kim Kardashian effect and the rarity of the machine early in the episode.
How does XERF work?
XERF delivers radiofrequency energy deep into the skin to heat the tissue in a controlled way. That heat causes your collagen fibers to thicken and remodel, which firms and lifts the overlying skin over time. Nurse Jamie compares the effect to how a chicken becomes more compact in the microwave: the structure tightens up.
What sets XERF apart from older RF treatments is its depth. It is designed to reach the deeper structural layer of the face, the SMAS, which is the same foundational layer addressed in a surgical facelift. By stimulating collagen at that level, it can create more meaningful tightening than surface-only devices, while still keeping results natural.
The key idea, in Nurse Jamie's words: you are banking your own collagen instead of injecting or filling.
The how-it-works breakdown runs through the middle of the episode.
Does XERF hurt, and is there downtime?
This is one of the biggest reasons people are flocking to it. XERF is built with an integrated cooling system, so it stays comfortable during treatment. Nurse Jamie says she did not find it painful, with maybe an occasional light zing, and no numbing is needed.
There is essentially no downtime. You might have a little redness for about an hour afterward, and then you go on with your day. For people with packed schedules, that is a huge part of the appeal.
Nurse Jamie talks through the comfort and cooling system a few minutes into the episode.
Will XERF melt my facial fat?
This is a common worry with energy treatments, and it is a smart question to ask. Some older devices and aggressive treatments have raised concerns about losing facial fat, which can age you rather than help.
Nurse Jamie addresses this directly. Because XERF uses that cooling mechanism and controlled energy, the goal is to thicken collagen fibers without burning away the fat that gives your face its youthful structure. The treatment is designed to preserve volume while tightening, which is exactly what you want for a natural result rather than a gaunt one.
She explains the fat-preservation point in the episode.
Who is XERF best for?
XERF is a strong option for several types of people:
- Anyone who does not do well with filler. Some people have reactive skin or simply do not like how filler settles. Nurse Jamie points out that filler does not work for everyone, and XERF is a great alternative because it tightens using your own collagen instead of adding product.
- People who want a middle ground before surgery. If you have not done much maintenance and are considering a facelift, Nurse Jamie suggests trying a non-surgical option like XERF first rather than jumping straight to the operating room.
- Men. XERF is popular with male clients who want a tighter jaw and neck without anything obvious or invasive.
- Busy people who cannot afford downtime but still want visible firming and lift.
The "who it is for" discussion comes up across the episode.
How often do you need XERF, and when will you see results?
You see some result right away, with the fuller result building over the following months as your collagen remodels.
On frequency, Nurse Jamie shares her personal philosophy. The standard Korean protocol is often twice a year, but she finds it depends on your skin type. Thicker skin, like many Italian or olive complexions, may do well with about twice a year, while typical Caucasian skin often does better with around three times a year. Your provider can tailor the cadence to your skin.
She gives her frequency philosophy around the middle of the episode.
How much does XERF cost?
XERF is a premium treatment, in part because the machine itself is so expensive and rare. At Beauty Ranch, Nurse Jamie's Brentwood practice, pricing runs about $2,500 for the face and close to $3,000 for face and neck together.
Pricing varies by provider and by how much area you treat, so a consultation is the best way to get an exact number for your goals.
Nurse Jamie shares the pricing in the episode.
Where can you get XERF?
Because so few of these machines exist in the country, availability is genuinely limited. At the time of the episode, Nurse Jamie noted there were only around 15 XERF machines in the United States, and XERF is currently her most-booked treatment.
She offers it at Beauty Ranch Medical Spa in Brentwood, Los Angeles. Nurse Jamie was the first practice in LA to bring in XERF, and she flew to Korea to train on the device directly with the people who pioneered it, so you are getting it from someone who learned the technique at the source. Beauty Ranch also has more lasers under one roof than any other facility in LA, which she jokingly calls the "cheesecake factory of lasers." Part of her value is helping each client figure out which treatment actually fits their skin and goals.
If you are searching for XERF in Los Angeles or anywhere nearby and want it done by an experienced aesthetics nurse specialist, Beauty Ranch is one of the few places that has the machine.
Book a XERF consultation with Nurse Jamie at book.mypatientnow.com.
She talks about Beauty Ranch and her laser lineup near the end of the episode.
XERF vs a surgical facelift
XERF is often called a non-invasive facelift, but it is important to set expectations. It will not give you the same dramatic, long-lasting change as surgery. What it offers instead is a no-downtime, no-pain way to firm and lift by building your own collagen, which for many people is exactly the right amount of help.
As Nurse Jamie frames it, you cannot go from doing nothing for ten years straight into surgery. A treatment like XERF is the smart middle ground: meaningful tightening at the deeper structural level, without going under the knife, and without the recovery.
The bottom line
XERF is the most talked-about skin-tightening treatment in beauty right now for good reason. It is a radiofrequency device from Korea that builds your own collagen, reaches the deep structural layer of the face, preserves your facial volume, and requires no downtime. It is not a replacement for surgery, but it is a powerful non-surgical option, especially for people who do not love filler or want to firm up without any recovery time.
To hear Nurse Jamie explain it in her own words, listen to the full bonus episode, and book a consultation if you want to see whether XERF is right for your skin.
Listen to the full bonus episode of Bill and Giuliana: The Podcast: BONUS: What Is the XERF Facelift?
Book a XERF consultation at Beauty Ranch in Brentwood: book.mypatientnow.com
See it on Instagram
This article summarizes information and opinions shared on the podcast, along with publicly reported details about XERF, and is for general information only. It is not medical advice. Results, pricing, and suitability vary by individual. Consult a licensed provider before starting any aesthetic treatment.
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