Sofwave™ Skin Tightening
Sofwave™ is a unique new technology invented by cutting edge scientists who have been the pioneers behind many of the classic aesthetic dermatology lasers.
It uses a breakthrough innovation termed SUPERB™, or Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam Technology. This deposits multiple small ultrasound beams in parallel lines under the skin 1.5mm deep in the mid-dermis. These beams heat up the dermis and this tightens the skin and induces heating, which stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin. Many patients see some immediate skin tightening, but the full tightening effects and softening of wrinkles is typically seen after 6-9 months.
There is no visual disturbance of the skin surface during treatment, so Sofwave™ typically entails no downtime or interruption of normal routines. Furthermore it can be done on skin of all colours and with a tan.
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What Are the Benefits of Sofwave™ Skin Tightening?
Benefits of Sofwave™ treatment include:
- High levels of patient satisfaction reported
- Treatment is non-invasive, with no interruption to daily routines
- Visible results that continue to improve over time
- Fast treatment that typically only takes 30 to 45 minutes
- Exceptional safety profile, including Integrated epidermis cooling and real-time skin temperature monitoring
- No damage to underlying tissue structures
- Can be used safely on all skin types and colours
How Effective Is Sofwave™ Ultrasound Skin Tightening?
Sofwave™ has been proven in clinical trials to achieve skin tightening and is FDA-approved in the US. In December 2022, it also received FDA clearance for the short-term improvement of cellulite.
As with any skin tightening device, there will be a small percentage of patients who do not see much tightening. That said, Sofwave™ has a high rate of patient satisfaction. In surveys, 85% of patients reported high satisfaction with the outcome.
How Long Does Sofwave™ Skin Tightening Treatment Take?
Treatment of the face and neck with Sofwave™ usually takes 30-45 minutes to complete, making it a “lunch time” procedure. Patients can typically return to work immediately afterwards.
What Does Treatment with Sofwave™ Involve?
The Sofwave™ handpiece has inbuilt cooling technology to protect the skin surface. The handpiece is held firmly against the skin and the ultrasound beams pulse for 5 seconds. Towards the end of 5 seconds, there is a sensation of heat under the skin (lasting 1-2 seconds) then the cooler takes over and cancels the sensation of heat. The handpiece is then moved to the adjacent area and eventually the whole face and/or neck is treated.
Individuals vary as to how much discomfort the 1-2 seconds of heat causes them – some patients hardly feel it, but others can find the 1-2 seconds of heat uncomfortable. For this reason, we recommend that individuals come into the clinic one hour beforehand for local anaesthetic cream and paracetamol tablets. For those clients who are very sensitive, we can arrange more powerful painkiller tablets and/or injections. However, any discomfort is only for 1-2 seconds while the ultrasound beams are pulsing and there is generally no discomfort reported after the treatment.
What Does the Skin Look Like After Sofwave™ Treatment?
The skin usually looks completely normal after Sofwave™ treatment. Some patients can be slightly pink or swollen for a couple of hours (usually from the effects of the numbing cream rather than the treatment itself). There is no need to apply any special products to the skin afterwards and there is no need to change one’s usual daily skin care routine.
How Many Sofwave™ Skin Tightening Treatments Are Needed to See Results?
Many patients need just one Sofwave™ skin tightening treatment. The collagen and elastin stimulation and skin tightening continue for 3-6 months after the initial treatment, so the full effect is not usually seen until this time. Sofwave™ treatment can be repeated if further improvement is desired, and patients can have as many treatments as they want.
How Safe Is Sofwave™ Ultrasound Skin Tightening?
The Sofwave™ technology has inbuilt cooling of the surface of the skin together with real-time temperature monitoring, making it extremely safe. Because it uses ultrasound technology, it can be used on skin of all colours and with a tan. Sofwave™ can be used safely in patients with metal implants in their body, although it is safer not to do it directly over the metal implant itself. As the ultrasound beams are focused in the mid-dermis, there is no damage to deeper underlying structures (unlike Ulthera, which goes deeper and can affect nerves). This makes Sofwave™ a very safe and well-tolerated device.
How Much Does Sofwave™ Skin Tightening Cost?
At Dermatology Consulting, Sofwave™ treatment costs £1495 for the face and £1495 for the neck, or £2295 when treating the face and neck together (the most popular option).
