If you’re starting to notice some sagging along your jawline, an eyebrow that doesn’t sit as high as it used to, or fine lines that weren’t there a few years ago, you’re not imagining it. Collagen production begins a slow decline in the late twenties and the skin’s natural scaffolding gradually loses its spring.
There’s no shortage of ways to treat this, from injectables to lasers to surgery. But one of the newest options has quickly gained a serious following and is now available at our Portland clinic! It is called Softwaveand it has become one of the treatments that patients (and our team) are most curious about.
What is Sofwave?
Sofwave is one FDA cleared, non-invasive skin tightening and lifting treatment which uses ultrasound energy to stimulate your body’s own collagen and elastin production. No needles. No incisions. No downtime.
The technology behind it has a name, Modern Parallel Beam Ultrasound or SUPERB™but the idea is elegant. The device delivers precisely controlled ultrasound energy to middle dermis, about 1.5 mm below the surface of the skin;. This is exactly the layer where your collagen lives. Gentle, targeted heat creates a controlled response that signals your skin to rebuild itself, producing fresh collagen and elastin in the weeks and months that follow.
An integrated cooling system (Sofcool™) protects the surface of your skin throughout the session, which is part of what makes Sofwave so well tolerated and suitable for all skin tones, including deeper Fitzpatrick types that may be sensitive to other energy-based devices. At our Portland clinic, we’ve gone a step further and added a separate hand cooler for extra comfort during your treatment, because a more comfortable experience is part of the result.
What Sofwave is dealing with
Sofwave is Clearance by the FDA to:
- Pick it up eyebrow for a more refreshed, wide-eyed look
- Lift and tighten loose skin under the chin (hypomental area) and on the neck
- Reduce its appearance fine lines and wrinkles in the face
- Improve it short-term appearance of cellulite
- Improve its appearance skin relaxation in upper arms
- Help with its appearance acne scars
Patients most often come to us wanting to address the forehead, lower face and jaw line (“I want my jaw back”), the area under the chin and the flaky skin of the neck, the areas that tend to soften first.
How Sofwave compares to other skin tightening treatments
If you’ve done research, you’ve probably come across it Ultherapy, microneedling and the idea of a “non-surgical facelift”. See how Sofwave fits in.
Sofwave vs. Ultherapy:
Both use ultrasound to stimulate collagen. Ultherapy reaches multiple depths, including deeper layers that go through fat and muscle, which some patients find more uncomfortable. Sofwave focuses its energy right on the 1.5mm dermal layer where collagen is produced and the parallel beam design with built-in cooling tends to make the experience more comfortable while delivering a substantial lift.
Sofwave vs microneedling: different tools, different jobs! We’re big fans of microneedling here and it’s a staff favorite, especially the way we do it with growth factors through our special collagen stack. Microneedling and Sofwave are not so much competitors as teammates. . Many patients love the results of both, and your provider can help you decide where to go principle.
Sofwave vs surgical faceft: Surgery removes excess skin and provides the most dramatic, longest-lasting result. Sofwave does not replace a facelift, but for patients with mild to moderate laxity who want a natural, gradual improvement without anesthesia, scarring or weeks of recovery, it is an exciting alternative or a way to delay surgery.
The honest takeaway is that the best treatment depends on your skin, your goals, and your schedule. That’s exactly what a consultation is for.
What to expect
A typical Sofwave session lasts approx 60 minutes. Ultrasound gel is applied, the handpiece is slid over the treatment area, and most patients describe brief moments of warmth. There is no special preparation beforehand and no recovery afterwards, and many people go straight back to work or out for lunch. You may notice some mild redness that disappears quickly.
The results are formed gradually. Some patients see early tightening within a few weeks, but the fuller effect develops in about 12 weeks as new collagen forms, with results continuing to improve over the following months. A peer-reviewed clinical study of the technology, published in Dermatologic Surgery, found measurable improvement in fine lines and wrinkles after just one treatment.¹ Most patients enjoy results for a year or more, and many choose an annual contact to maintain them.
Is Sofwave right for you?
Sofwave tends to be a great fit if:
- They start to notice loss of stability on the face, eyebrow, jaw or neck
- Want natural, gradual improvement rather than a dramatic surgical change
- Prefer a treatment with no needles and no downtime
- You are not ready or interested in surgery
It may not be the right choice for significant excess skin where a surgical approach might serve you better. The most reliable way to find out is to come in and let one of our experts assess your skin in person.
Why Skin by Lovely
Skin by Lovely has been Portland’s trusted home for natural-looking, non-surgical facial aesthetics for over a decade. Our philosophy has always been refined, natural, undetectable, meaning results that look like the best version of you, never overdone. Sofwave fits this philosophy perfectly, and our team in Portland will create a plan around your specific goals.
Sofwave is currently available exclusively at our Portland clinic.
Ready to see what Sofwave can do for you? Book a free consultation at Skin by Lovely Portland and let’s talk about your goals!
