Everyone kept saying the same thing: ‘You’re glowing.’ Of course, being self deprecating at the best of times, I just brushed it off. After all, I hadn’t done anything special, in fact on one occassion I didn’t even have any make up on (and trust me, at my age that’s not something I can get away with). But the compliments kept coming nonetheless, from friends, colleagues, and even a barista. That’s when I realised maybe it wasn’t people just being polite, it was the Morpheus8 treatment I’d had at Hortman Clinics three weeks earlier.
So the pain had been worth the gain it seemed. Morpheus8 has been called the holy grail of skin tightening, and like most things worthy of that title, it asks for a little grit in return. So, I’m not going to lie – it hurts. Even with numbing cream left on for half an hour, you’re still going to need those two little stress balls in your hands before treatment begins. It feels like sharp pinpricks delivered in rapid succession. But you grit your teeth, you breathe through it, and you remind yourself that beauty, as they say, isn’t always painless.
It feels like sharp pinpricks delivered in rapid succession. But you grit your teeth, you breathe through it, and you remind yourself that beauty, as they say, isn’t always painless.
I went to Hortman Clinics to try the hyped-up Morpheus8 treatment, and my doctor was Dr. Kareem Harb, who was professional, calm, and efficient. Before anything else, we sat down for a consultation in his light-filled office, a modern space with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over downtown Dubai. On a clear day, you can see for miles, but all that natural light isn’t just aesthetic, it allows him to examine your skin with forensic precision in a way you’d really rather not see yourself.
Mirror in hand, Dr. Karem pointed out the areas I was already very aware were there: the slight sagging on my neck, fine lines around my eyes, uneven pigmentation across my cheeks (15 years living in the sun – don’t forget sunscreen ladies).
It’s never fun seeing your flaws reflected back under professional lighting, but at least there was a plan that works in harmony with your own skin. That’s the draw of Morpheus8 because it’s not about filling your face or freezing your muscles but about triggering your skin to repair itself. The radiofrequency microneedling stimulates collagen and elastin deep in the dermis, tightening, lifting, and smoothing without altering your natural features. Essentially, it gives your skin the instruction manual to behave younger.
The radiofrequency microneedling stimulates collagen and elastin deep in the dermis, tightening, lifting, and smoothing without altering your natural features. Essentially, it gives your skin the instruction manual to behave younger.
Once we’d covered the science and my personal concerns, the treatment itself began. Here’s how it went step by step:
Step One: Cleansing. My face was thoroughly cleansed, removing every trace of makeup, SPF, and city dust.
Step Two: Numbing Cream. A thick layer of numbing cream was applied and left on for 30 minutes. (Wow a little me time)! I even got to sip on a daily green cold-pressed juice, beautifully served in a glass bottle – a nice sustainable touch – while the cream worked its magic.
Step Three: Treatment. After cleansing again, it was time for the main event: Morpheus8. The device has a stamp-like head with microneedles that deliver radio frequency energy deep into the skin. The treatment took around ten minutes in total, with the needles going in and out in lightning-fast bursts. Compared to other treatments I’ve tried, like Profhilo, it felt sharper but quicker – more intense but less drawn out. Those stress balls were definitely put to use, but it was manageable.
Step Four: Peptide Growth Factor Serum. Immediately after, a cooling peptide growth factor serum was applied to help soothe and kickstart the healing process.
Step Five: Peptide Mask and LED Therapy. Next came a peptide mask paired with ten minutes of LED light therapy. This part was pure bliss after the intensity of the treatment – the cool mask and warm glow felt like a reset for my skin.
Step Six: Aftercare. Once the mask was removed, a layer of Bepanthen and Fucidin was applied. I was told to keep using these morning and night for five days as part of the healing process. When I left, my face was red as I have sensitive skin, but I was reassured it would settle within 24 hours.
The entire process, from consultation to walking out the door, took just under two hours.
At Hortman Clinics, Morpheus8 isn’t seen as a stand-alone quick fix. While my session focused purely on skin tightening and rejuvenation, the team often tailors treatment plans to individual concerns. For some patients that might mean combining Morpheus8 with Ultherapy and diluted Radiesse to stimulate collagen and contour the face. For others, especially where pigmentation is a priority, protocols can include peels, microneedling, lasers, and advanced skincare alongside Morpheus8.
‘It’s all about timing and skin response,’ explains Dr Karem Harb. ‘We combine strong protocols and energy-based treatments based on target and expectations. We customise a roadmap so clients can enjoy powerful, cumulative results in a safe and sustainable way.’
Morpheus8 – The Results
So, what about results? Immediately after, the redness made it hard to see anything beyond the obvious: I looked like I’d run a marathon in August. But over the next few days, I noticed my skin beginning to feel tighter. The fine lines on my cheeks softened, and my complexion started looking fresher, with that elusive glow everyone would start to mention.
Results from combination skin tightening packges usually become visible within 14–21 days, with continued improvement over time. And Morpheus8 isn’t a one-and-done treatment – it’s usually recommended as a course of three, spaced a few weeks apart, with results peaking after three to six months as your collagen remodels. Still, even after one session, I could tell my skin was on its way to looking firmer and more refined.
What stood out most, though, was the experience at Hortman Clinics itself. There’s a sense of calm professionalism from the moment you step through the door, from the front desk team to the treatment rooms that feel more like chic hotel suites than a medical facility. Small touches – like the green juice, the natural light, and the fact that nothing ever felt rushed – make a big difference when you’re about to endure a treatment that isn’t exactly comfortable.
Would I do it again? Yes. It wasn’t pain-free, but the short bursts of discomfort are outweighed by the long-term gain: healthier, tighter, younger-looking skin. For anyone dealing with sagging, laxity, or early signs of aging it’s a treatment worth considering. Just don’t expect to breeze through without gripping those stress balls tight.
Details:
Hortman Clinics is recognised across the UAE for its bespoke, doctor-led aesthetic solutions.
Website: hortmanclinics.com
Address: 32nd Floor Burj Al Salam building – Sheikh Zayed Rd – Dubai
Contact: +9714 566 2615
