Sofwave™ Ultrasound Skin Tightening & Lifting

Frequently Asked Questions About Sofwave Treatment

• When will I see results from Sofwave?

  With Sofwave, you’re building new collagen and elastin and that process starts to peak around 4-6 weeks and continues to develop for about 3-6 months, whether you’re talking about a laser, radiofrequency, or ultrasound like Sofwave. Most patients will start to see some results around one month after treatment, though these will be small changes compared to the end result (around 12-24 weeks out).

• Why is Sofwave so much less expensive than other similar devices (Thermage, Ulthera, ThermiTight, etc.)?

  This has to do with fees manufacturers charge to the doctors who perform them. Each time we use our Ulthera device (or Thermage or ThermiTight), our practice purchases a consumable from the manufacturer. Sometimes that’s a handpiece, or a tip but sometimes it’s simply loading a code into the machine for that one procedure. Sofwave’s fee-per-use is simply less expensive than their competitors and we can pass those savings on to our patients.

  Sofwave also targets multiple points with each pulse (8 to be exact), whereas Ulthera only targets 1 spot with each pulse – and that’s what makes Sofwave so much faster. There’s also a price to consider – Ulthera is more expensive (usually about 30-50% more expensive) so if you don’t need Ulthera, you’ll have a faster, more comfortable treatment at a lower price with Sofwave.

  If you’d like more details, check out our blog post comparing and contrasting Ulthera and Sofwave in detail.

• Is Sofwave safer than Ultherapy?

  No, both Sofwave and Ulthera are very safe. What is not so safe – and sometimes masquerades as Ulthera – is HiFu, which is a technology that’s popular in Korea and makes use of ultrasound (just like Sofwave and Ulthera), but these devices are often manufactured in China and are not FDA-approved for safety. We believe many of the issues people claim have been caused by Ulthera have actually been caused by these off-brand devices that are being marketed as Ulthera. Feel free to ask us questions about this – unfortunately, we have treated several patients with complications after HiFU and fake Ulthera treatments.

• How does Sofwave work?

  Sofwave directs seven high-frequency ultrasound beams through the skin to converge in a 3D grid at a depth of 1.5mm, creating a series of precise spots for targeted treatment. By not heating the surface of the skin, and not treating the entire tissue plane at 1.5mm depth, Sofwave is able to produce great results, do so with incredible safety and also without downtime.

• Who is the best candidate for Sofwave treatment?

  The best candidates for Sofwave are those with mild to moderate skin quality issues, such as fine lines, wrinkles, rough or uneven texture, and mild sagging. For those who are looking to avoid more invasive procedures such as face lifts and neck lifts, the more gradual, discreet outcomes and non-invasive approach associated with Sofwave is the right treatment for them.

• What does the recovery after sofwave look like?

  Sofwave may leave you a little red after treatment, but this dissipates very rapidly. Some patients report a firm feeling to the skin, but no visible swelling. Makeup can be worn right away. You do not need to take time off work, social activities, workouts, or even red-carpet appearances. It’s truly a no-downtime procedure.

• What is the newest skin tightening procedure?

  Sofwave is the newest skin tightening and firming procedure. It became available in late 2020, and we’ve seen it replace Thermage and most Ultherapy treatments at our practice – at a much less expensive cost. Most patients report better results than with the older technologies!

• What tightens skin naturally?

  The most effective skin tightening treatments are those that target the skin’s deep supporting collagen network, tightening up the existing fibers and prompting the growth of new fibers. Sofwave stimulates the skin to rebuild and remodel collagen and elastin using precisely targeted heat. As a result, the skin has greater support and naturally contracts, creating better definition.

• What is the most effective skin tightening treatment available today?

  Sofwave is an effective skin tightening treatment, as well as Ulthera, Thermage, ThermiTight, and PrecisionTX. However, effectiveness is dependent upon your skin quality. More noticeable results are possible in skin that still has an intact fiber network that can tighten up. For skin that does not still have an intact collagen matrix, more aggressive or invasive treatment may lead to better results.

• Does Sofwave really work?

  Yes – not only have clinical studies shown Sofwave to be effective at firming and tightening the skin, but our before and after gallery shows how we’ve already helped many patients attain their ideal results for face lifting without surgery!

• How long does Sofwave treatment last?

  You can expect your results to last at least 1-2 years before your aging process begins to take noticeable effect. Remember, we can’t freeze time (yet!), but with Sofwave you’ll always look better than if you had done nothing at all.

• Is Sofwave as effective as Ultherapy?

  Yes, when comparing Sofwave and Ultherapy treatments at the same depths, they are equally effective. However, Ultherapy does offer 1 deeper treatment function that targets the SMAS at 4mm, which no other treatment currently offers (this deep treatment is also why Ultherapy can be very painful).

• How much does Sofwave therapy cost?

  The cost of Sofwave therapy depends on a variety of factors including your treatment needs and the number of sessions needed to achieve your intended results. During your free cosmetic consultation, our providers will give you a full cost estimate.

• How many Sofwave treatments will I need?

  Sofwave is unique in that it can produce results with a single treatment. However, FDA studies have proven that many patients benefit from a second “booster” treatment 4-8 weeks after the first to further enhance results. Sofwave tends to last for 1-2 years, and our cosmetic physicians can give you a full schedule of when to return to maintain your results.

• How painful is Sofwave?

  Sofwave is well tolerated. The treatment is provided after the application of topical anesthesia and no injectipons are required. You can relax and unwind in our comfortable suite during treatment and immediately return to your planned activities.

• Is Sofwave FDA-cleared?

  Sofwave has been cleared by the FDA and has since become one of our preferred skin tightening treatments. It has been thoroughly vetted by our knowledgeable cosmetic physicians who have decades of combined experience in practicing cosmetic medicine.

• Is Sofwave better than Morpheus8?

  Sofwave and Morpheus8 are two completely different technologies. Morpheus8 is an RF microneedling device that can stimulate collagen by generating wounds in the skin and administering radiofrequency energy. Because of this, Morpheus8 tends to come with a slight recovery period while the skin heals. Sofwave does not require any recovery because it does not use any needles or incisions. In our experience, Sofwave is much less painful than Morpheus8 and is more specifically used for skin tightening. At our practice, the Endymed Intensif device, which also uses radiofrequency and microneedles is much better tolerated than Morpheus8.

• What is the aftercare for Sofwave?

  There is virtually no aftercare needed for Sofwave. You may notice some minimal pinkness in the skin, but it can be covered with makeup immediately after treatment. We recommend wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF30 daily post treatment.

• Does Sofwave have a lot of risks?

  No. Sofwave is very safe and side effects are incredibly rare.

• Can Sofwave be used on any skin type?

  Because Sofwave is color blind, it can be used on any skin type, and even if the skin has some residual tan.

• Does Sofwave therapy work for wrinkles?

  Sofwave can reduce wrinkles by rebuilding the supportive matrix of collagen under the skin. Sofwave tends to work for wrinkles that are caused by repetitive movements (or the same ones often treated with Botox) as well as static wrinkles, those present at rest. Sofwave can produce subtle, natural-looking wrinkle reduction versus the transformative results of a surgical facelift.

• How long does it take for skin to heal after laser treatment?

  There’s no healing required after Sofwave. After treatment, the skin begins to remodel and rebuild collagen at a deep level over the course of the next several weeks. The surface of the skin remains untouched throughout Sofwave treatments.

• Can Sofwave be combined with other procedures or technologies?

  Yes. It is common to improve a patient’s facial contours with dermal fillers before tightening the skin over these new youthful curves. It also can be performed in combination with laser resurfacing or IPL to target sun related brown spots. We call this approach, “Tighten and brighten”

• How does Sofwave compare to Ultherapy?

  Though these are both effective technologies, because Sofwave concentrates its energy more superficially than Ulthera, it is more comfortable. Its ability to limit its energy delivery to the dermis of the skin is the key to its predicatable great outcomes as that is target for laxity of the skin.

• What does Sofwave treatment feel like?

  Sofwave may feel like a comfortable massage. There’s no anesthetic needed, meaning you can enjoy a relaxing and low-hassle session at our comfortable treatment suite.

• Can Sofwave be used for jowls?

  Sofwave can be an effective option for jowls depending on factors like severity of your laxity. Jowls that have begun to sag too much may be better suited to another option. This may include dermal fillers, dissolving the fat of the jowls with Kybella or a face lift.  Our cosmetic physicians will discuss the best option for your needs during a free consultation.

• Is Sofwave safe for everyone?

  No. For patients with very loose skin and significant jowls, a facelift or necklift is often the treatment of choice. Though sofwave will still improve the skin’s elasticity, it may not be enough to meet a patient’s expectation and a surgical treatment is preferred.