Secret RF vs Vivace

Independent side-by-side comparison with pricing, specs, and clinical evidence.

Last updated: 2026-04-09

Why This Comparison Matters

Secret RF and Vivace sit in the same rf microneedling category but take different approaches. Secret RF (Cutera) uses Fractional RF Microneedling with semi-insulated needles while Vivace (Cartessa Aesthetics) uses Fractional RF Microneedling with 36 insulated gold-plated needles and LED. Both received FDA clearance (2018 and 2018 respectively) and both are actively sold in the US market. The decision between them is rarely about which is objectively better. It's about which fits your specific practice.

Physicians end up comparing these two devices when they're shopping in the $30,000-$50,000 to $35,000-$55,000 price range and want a category leader. Both devices are commonly recommended by sales reps from competing manufacturers, which means physicians often hear inflated claims about one and dismissive claims about the other. This comparison strips out the marketing and looks at pricing, mechanism, evidence, and practice fit side by side.

Side-by-Side Specifications

Secret RF Vivace
Manufacturer Cutera Cartessa Aesthetics
Technology Fractional RF Microneedling with semi-insulated needles Fractional RF Microneedling with 36 insulated gold-plated needles and LED
Price (New) $30,000-$50,000 $35,000-$55,000
Price (Used) $12,000-$22,000 $15,000-$28,000
Treatment Time 20-45 minutes 30 minutes
Sessions 3-4 sessions over 4-6 weeks 3 sessions over 4-6 weeks
Per Session $500-$1,500 $700-$1,500
Annual Consumables $2,000-$4,500 $2,500-$5,500
Annual Maintenance $2,000-$4,000 $2,000-$4,000
FDA Cleared Yes (2018) Yes (2018)

Technology

Secret RF

Technology: Fractional RF Microneedling with semi-insulated needles. Semi-insulated needles deliver RF at depths from 0.5mm to 3.5mm. Two handpiece options for face and body treatment.

Vivace

Technology: Fractional RF Microneedling with 36 insulated gold-plated needles and LED. 36 insulated gold-plated needles deliver RF at depths from 0.5mm to 3.5mm. Integrated LED light therapy during treatment aims to reduce post-procedure redness.

Pricing

Secret RF

New: $30,000-$50,000. Used: $12,000-$22,000. Per session: $500-$1,500. Annual consumables: $2,000-$4,500. Annual maintenance: $2,000-$4,000.

Vivace

New: $35,000-$55,000. Used: $15,000-$28,000. Per session: $700-$1,500. Annual consumables: $2,500-$5,500. Annual maintenance: $2,000-$4,000.

Clinical Evidence

Secret RF

10+ published studies. FDA clearance based on acne scar and facial rejuvenation data.

Vivace

Growing body of peer-reviewed data. Multiple studies for acne scars and facial rejuvenation across Fitzpatrick skin types.

Treatment Experience

Secret RF

20-45 minutes per session. Recommended protocol: 3-4 sessions over 4-6 weeks. Treatment areas: Face, Neck, Body (scars, stretch marks). Patients typically tolerate this platform well when operated by trained clinicians.

Vivace

30 minutes per session. Recommended protocol: 3 sessions over 4-6 weeks. Treatment areas: Face, Neck, Decolletage. Patient experience varies by operator training and settings.

Practice Fit

Secret RF

Budget-conscious practices that want entry-level RF microneedling capability while accepting the Cutera situation. Best purchased used with Section 179 treatment.

Vivace

Med spas and dermatology practices that want an RF microneedling platform priced below Morpheus8 with insulated-needle safety for darker skin types.

Pros and Cons

Secret RF Pros

  • Lowest entry price among FDA-cleared RF microneedling platforms
  • Two handpiece sizes for efficient face and body work
  • Simpler operator training than multi-mode platforms
  • Used pricing offers significant upfront savings

Secret RF Cons

  • Cutera financial distress creates real service and warranty risk
  • Lowest brand recognition among RF microneedling platforms
  • Shallower maximum depth than Morpheus8 body tip

Vivace Pros

  • Insulated gold-plated needles reduce post-treatment pigmentation risk
  • Strong Cartessa sales and marketing support
  • Lower capital cost than Morpheus8
  • Quick 30-minute face treatment keeps schedules efficient

Vivace Cons

  • No body treatment tip (face and neck only)
  • Cartessa is a distributor, not the original manufacturer
  • Brand recognition below Morpheus8 and InMode ecosystem pull

The Verdict

Choose Secret RF if your practice prioritizes Cutera's ecosystem, brand recognition, or specific clinical advantages. Budget-conscious practices that want entry-level RF microneedling capability while accepting the Cutera situation. Best purchased used with Section 179 treatment. The pros that matter most: Lowest entry price among FDA-cleared RF microneedling platforms; Two handpiece sizes for efficient face and body work. The biggest tradeoff to accept: Cutera financial distress creates real service and warranty risk.

Choose Vivace if Cartessa Aesthetics's positioning fits better. Med spas and dermatology practices that want an RF microneedling platform priced below Morpheus8 with insulated-needle safety for darker skin types. The pros that matter most: Insulated gold-plated needles reduce post-treatment pigmentation risk; Strong Cartessa sales and marketing support. The biggest tradeoff to accept: No body treatment tip (face and neck only).

For a practice with limited capital that needs maximum flexibility, used pricing tilts the math. Secret RF used units run $12,000-$22,000; Vivace used units run $15,000-$28,000. For practices with strong patient flow already, the device that integrates with your existing platforms is usually the right answer even if its standalone specs are slightly weaker. For practices building a category from scratch, brand recognition and patient demand matter more than raw clinical specs. Look at which device patients are already asking for in your market before signing a contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more expensive, Secret RF or Vivace?

Secret RF runs $30,000-$50,000 new and $12,000-$22,000 used. Vivace runs $35,000-$55,000 new and $15,000-$28,000 used. Per-session pricing is $500-$1,500 for Secret RF and $700-$1,500 for Vivace. Annual operating costs (consumables plus maintenance) typically run 5-15% of purchase price for both devices. The right financial comparison includes total cost of ownership over 5 years, not just sticker price.

Which has better clinical evidence, Secret RF or Vivace?

Secret RF clinical evidence: 10+ published studies. FDA clearance based on acne scar and facial rejuvenation data. Vivace clinical evidence: Growing body of peer-reviewed data. Multiple studies for acne scars and facial rejuvenation across Fitzpatrick skin types. Evidence quality is not about study count alone. Look at sample sizes, blinded evaluators, independence from manufacturer funding, and outcome durability. Older devices in the same category usually have stronger evidence because they've been studied longer.

Is Secret RF or Vivace more popular in dermatology practices?

Both Secret RF and Vivace are commonly used in dermatology, plastic surgery, med spa practices. Market share in any given category shifts year to year. Cutera and Cartessa Aesthetics both maintain active sales forces in the US. Ask other physicians in your specialty which platform they're using and why. Peer references in your local market matter more than national market share data.

Are there safety concerns with Secret RF or Vivace?

Both devices are FDA cleared and have established safety profiles. Secret RF has these documented concerns: Cutera financial distress creates real service and warranty risk. Vivace has: No body treatment tip (face and neck only). Physicians should monitor FDA MAUDE reports for both devices before purchase. Adverse event trends matter because they signal problems that may not appear in marketing materials. Any device with a sudden spike in MAUDE filings deserves closer scrutiny.

Can I use Secret RF and Vivace in the same practice?

Some practices run both devices, especially when they target different patient segments or treatment areas. The downside is duplicated training, parallel consumable inventories, and potential cannibalization between platforms. The upside is broader marketing claims and the ability to switch patients between platforms if one doesn't deliver expected results. Most practices choose one and commit to mastering it rather than splitting volume.

What's the resale value comparison between Secret RF and Vivace?

Used Secret RF sells for $12,000-$22,000 on the secondary market. Used Vivace sells for $15,000-$28,000. Resale values depend on age, software version, applicator condition, and remaining warranty. Devices with strong installed bases hold value better. Devices with active safety signals or declining manufacturer financial health depreciate faster. Resale value should be a factor in any device purchase, especially if practice plans might change in 3-5 years.