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 that process takes about 3-6 months, whether you’re talking about a laser, radiofrequency, threads, or ultrasound like Sofwave. Most patients will start to see some results around 4-6 weeks after treatment, though these will be small changes compared to the end result (around 12-24 weeks out).

• Ulthera vs Sofwave: What's the difference, and which is better?

  Ulthera and Sofwave both make use of ultrasound technology, so it’s only normal that people will ask, “what’s the difference?” Ulthera targets deeper into the tissues, including hitting the muscle (and if you’re not a skilled provider – sometimes bone, too). Now, this does create tightening and changes in the muscle, but it is so much more painful and many patients just want to see skin improvement, not muscle changes. That’s where Sofwave excels because it only targets the skin, and it’s a comfortable, quick treatment. If you want to get technical about it, Ulthera can target 1.5 mm, 3 mm, and 4.5 mm depths, while Sofwave targets 1.5 mm.

  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.

• Why is Sofwave so much cheaper than the competition (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, but sometimes it’s simply loading a code into the machine proving we paid to perform that procedure. Sofwave’s fee-per-use is simply less expensive than their competitors and we can pass those savings on to our patients.

• 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 hot 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 without downtime.

• Who is the best candidate for Sofwave treatment?

  The best candidate for Sofwave is someone with mild to moderate skin quality issues, such as fine lines, wrinkles, rough or uneven texture, and sagging. The best candidates are also those who want to avoid more invasive procedures or treatments that require downtime. Many patients prefer the natural and discreet results of Sofwave to a quick change because it’s not noticeable that you’ve had something done.

• What does the recovery after sofwave look like?

  Sofwave may leave you a little red after treatment, but this redness is due to heat that was placed in your skin (and the inflammatory response that will lead to your body restoring collagen). Some patients report a firm feeling to the skin, but no visible swelling. You can easily cover both with makeup 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 – and at nearly half the cost, it’s amazing that the results are just as good or better than these 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 using 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, many patients benefit from a second “booster” treatment 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 nearly painless – it feels like a small electrical “zing” that may build up over the course of treatment. Some patients can easily tolerate Sofwave while for others it may be uncomfortable. It largely depends on factors like your pain tolerance and treatment area.

• Is Sofwave FDA-approved?

  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 microscopic 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.

• What is the aftercare for Sofwave?

  There is virtually no aftercare needed for Sofwave. You may notice some redness, but it can be covered with makeup immediately after treatment. We recommend wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF30 daily to maintain your results.

• Does Sofwave therapy work for wrinkles?

  Sofwave can reduce wrinkles by rebuilding the supportive matrix of collagen under the skin. Sofwave tends to work best for wrinkles that are caused by repetitive movements (or the same ones often treated with Botox). 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.

• 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. Our cosmetic physicians will discuss the best option for your needs during a free consultation.