Taula de Continguts
- What radiofrequency is and why it heats the tissues
- How INDIBA works: 448 kHz and the capacitive and resistive modes
- What laboratory research says, including from Madrid
- What INDIBA is used for at Santé Madrid: face, body and intimate area
- How INDIBA differs from other radiofrequencies
- What a session feels like and who should not have it
- How we work at Santé Madrid
- Frequently asked questions
INDIBA is a radiofrequency that works at 448 kHz and, according to its manufacturer, gradually raises the temperature of the tissue to trigger its natural repair responses. At Santé Madrid we use it on the face, the body and the intimate area, always after a medical assessment. In this guide we explain what radiofrequency is, how INDIBA's technology works in practice with its capacitive and resistive modes, what the research says, how it differs from other radiofrequencies and who should not be treated.
Key points
- Radiofrequency is a high-frequency alternating current that generates heat in the tissues because they resist its passage.
- INDIBA works at 448 kHz and has two modes: capacitive, with more superficial heat, and resistive, with deeper heat.
- At Santé Madrid it is applied to the face, the body and the intimate area; the area, the mode and the plan are decided by the medical team after assessing you.
- Pacemakers or other electronic implants, pregnancy and thrombophlebitis are contraindications according to the manufacturer.
- Results vary from person to person, and the clinical evidence on aesthetic radiofrequency still has limitations.
What radiofrequency is and why it heats the tissues
Aesthetic radiofrequency is a high-frequency alternating electric current applied to the skin through electrodes. According to a review on radiofrequency and skin laxity, heat is produced because the tissues resist the passage of that current, and the depth and intensity of heating depend on the energy used and on the impedance of each tissue. The aim, according to the same review, is to stimulate changes in collagen and the formation of new collagen in the deep layers of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue.
Unlike ablative techniques, non-ablative radiofrequency delivers heat to the dermis while sparing the epidermis, as summarised in a 2025 systematic review on facial rejuvenation with radiofrequency. That is why it leaves no wounds on the surface of the skin.
It is worth being honest about the evidence. The first review concludes that radiofrequency appears effective for laxity, but that parameters vary widely between studies and methodological quality is low. The 2025 review found improvements in texture and firmness and mild, transient side effects, but also limitations in the included studies. It is a useful tool, not a single solution.
How INDIBA works: 448 kHz and the capacitive and resistive modes
According to INDIBA's frequently asked questions, its technology is an electromagnetic current delivered to the body through electrodes at a frequency of 448 kHz. That current gradually raises the temperature of the treated tissue. The manufacturer describes three levels of effect depending on the temperature reached:
- Without heating: what INDIBA calls bio-stimulation, an effect it attributes to the 448 kHz frequency itself.
- Moderate heat: vascularisation predominates, with more deep blood flow and, according to the manufacturer, less oedema.
- High heat: a hyperactivation effect that, in aesthetics, the manufacturer links to an improvement in fine lines and in the appearance of cellulite.
The current is applied with two types of electrode. According to INDIBA's international FAQs, the capacitive electrode is coated and generates more superficial heat, while the resistive one is metal and develops deeper heat. A crossover trial published in 2026 using an INDIBA device describes the same thing: capacitive mode for superficial heating, resistive mode for deep heating, conductive gel on the skin and a metal plate acting as a passive electrode to close the circuit.
What laboratory research says, including from Madrid
Part of the laboratory research on the 448 kHz frequency has been carried out in the city itself. A team from the Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, at the Hospital Ramón y Cajal in Madrid, published in 2024 a study on human keratinocytes treated with this current without heating. It observed changes in the proliferation of these cells and in the substances that regulate inflammation.
In the introduction to that paper, the authors summarise earlier studies under non-thermal conditions in which this current induced the proliferation of stem cells from the subcutaneous tissue, of fibroblasts and of keratinocytes, as well as the migration of fibroblasts. They also note that its effects at the cellular and tissue level are not yet fully understood. The manufacturer, in its frequently asked questions, cites this line of research from the same Madrid hospital.
An important caveat: these are studies with cells in culture, in a laboratory. They help explain why this frequency is being researched, but on their own they do not prove an aesthetic result in a person. What you can expect from your treatment is assessed by the medical team with your skin in front of them, and results vary from person to person.
What INDIBA is used for at Santé Madrid: face, body and intimate area
At Santé Madrid, INDIBA radiofrequency is applied in three areas. Here is an overview; each has its own nuances, which the medical team will explain to you in consultation.
- Face. On its anti-ageing page, the manufacturer describes the activation of fibroblasts, collagen and elastin, with applications such as skin firming and the improvement of fine lines. It is usually considered when firmness or a dull look of the skin is the concern. More information on our facial INDIBA radiofrequency page.
- Body. On body remodelling, INDIBA mentions localised fat deposits, the appearance of cellulite and firmer skin. Its FAQ makes clear that it is not a weight-loss treatment. You can read more on body INDIBA radiofrequency.
- Intimate area. On intimate health, the manufacturer describes improved tissue vascularisation and stimulation of lubrication in cases of dryness. At Santé Madrid it is considered within aesthetic and regenerative gynaecology, after a specific medical consultation. More details on intimate INDIBA radiofrequency.
If one of these areas is your main concern, the consultation is the place to go into it in depth.
How INDIBA differs from other radiofrequencies
Not all radiofrequencies are the same. The frequency, the shape of the electrodes and the path the current follows all change. The review on skin laxity explains that in systems with a single active electrode the current travels towards a passive return electrode, which increases its penetration, whereas in bipolar or multipolar systems the energy flows between electrodes placed very close together and is concentrated in the treated area. That review also notes that, in general, the lower the frequency, the greater the penetration. The 2026 trial states that the 448 kHz frequency, lower than that of conventional high-frequency devices, produces less superficial heating.
| Type | How the energy flows | What is worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| INDIBA (448 kHz, capacitive and resistive) | From the treatment electrode to a return plate | Capacitive mode more superficial and resistive mode deeper |
| Bipolar or multipolar radiofrequency | Between nearby electrodes on the same handpiece | The energy is concentrated in the area between the electrodes |
| Radiofrequency microneedling | Through microneedles that reach the dermis | It is a different procedure, which creates controlled microthermal zones |
On the last row, a systematic review on radiofrequency microneedling explains that this technique delivers energy to the dermis through microneedles and creates controlled microthermal zones. If you are interested in the comparison, we have an article on the differences of radiofrequency microneedling.
What a session feels like and who should not have it
According to INDIBA's FAQs, during the session a conductive medium is applied to the skin so that the current can pass through the electrode. The manufacturer describes it as painless and pleasant: with the capacitive mode you will feel more superficial warmth and with the resistive mode, deeper warmth. If at any point you feel discomfort, say so, because the power is adjusted. After the session there may be mild redness that fades quite quickly or a momentary tingling, according to the manufacturer's frequently asked questions.
On sun exposure, the manufacturer states that, unlike laser, sunbathing is not contraindicated, although if high temperatures have been used it is better to avoid it. With Madrid's sunny days, daily sunscreen remains a good habit.
Metal prostheses, such as hip or knee replacements, are not a contraindication at 448 kHz according to INDIBA, but tell us about any implant, medication or recent treatment.
How we work at Santé Madrid
Our clinic is at C. de Amador de los Ríos, 1, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid, near Almagro and Colón. This is the usual pathway with INDIBA:
- First consultation. You can start with a free aesthetic assessment with a Beauty Coach or with a €50 medical consultation (the price of the consultation, not of the treatment). We go over your medical history, your implants, your medication and what concerns you.
- Medical assessment. The Santé Madrid medical team confirms there are no contraindications and decides whether INDIBA suits your case or whether another treatment makes more sense.
- Plan. The area, the capacitive or resistive mode, the number of sessions and the interval are defined according to your goal and how your tissue responds. There is no single protocol for everyone.
- Session and follow-up. We review the response at each visit and adjust the plan when needed.
In winter, heating and Madrid's dry air can leave the skin feeling tighter. Radiofrequency does not replace a good hydration and sun-protection routine, and we will guide you on it. Results vary from person to person and we do not promise a specific outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does INDIBA radiofrequency hurt?
The manufacturer describes it as a painless and pleasant treatment, with a feeling of warmth that is felt more superficially or more deeply depending on the mode. If you feel discomfort, the power is adjusted.
What is the difference between the capacitive and the resistive mode?
The capacitive electrode is coated and generates more superficial heat; the resistive one is metal and produces deeper heat. The medical team decides which to use, or how to combine them, depending on the area and the goal.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no fixed number. It depends on the area, your goal and how your tissue responds. We propose a plan after the medical assessment and review it during follow-up.
Can I have INDIBA if I have a metal prosthesis?
According to INDIBA, metal prostheses such as hip or knee replacements are not a contraindication at 448 kHz. Pacemakers and other electronic implants are. Always tell us about any implant at the consultation.
Does INDIBA help you lose weight?
No. The manufacturer makes clear that it is not a weight-loss treatment, although it is used in body remodelling. According to INDIBA, it can help people who are already working on healthy eating and physical activity habits.
Can I combine it with hyaluronic acid?
The manufacturer states that it can be combined and that, after a filler, it is advisable to wait between two weeks and a month, depending on the product, before treating that area again. The medical team will tell you when it is appropriate in your case.
Can I go about my normal life after the session?
Generally, yes. There may be mild redness that fades quite quickly, and according to the manufacturer you can wear make-up afterwards unless your protocol says otherwise. If high temperatures have been used, it is better to avoid the sun.
INDIBA is a specific form of radiofrequency, with a frequency and modes worth understanding before you start. What matters is knowing whether it suits you, in which area and with what expectations. The first step is an assessment with the Santé Madrid medical team.
