Everything You Need to Know About Sofwave Skin-Tightening Treatment

A t thirty, I took my skincare to the next level with products, supplements, and treatments. I was doing SPF in AM, vitamin C active ingredients in AM, retinol PM, a daily collagen supplement, and regular microneedling and radiofrequency facials. Just added to my mix is the non-invasive Sofwave.

Introducing the UAE and available from BROWZ on Al Wasl Road, Sofwave is an ultrasound-based, non-invasive technology said to firm the skin and cut minor wrinkles with minimal risk. The FDA has cleared the device for lift on the brows, submental, or under the chin as well as the neck. According to skin expert Dr. Sophie Shotter, "It works by creating controlled injury to stimulate collagen." "Sofwave heats tissue to 60-70 degrees Celsius," she says. "This damages the collagen, triggering fibroblast cells to produce new collagen."

Collagen, the protein responsible for youthful plumpness in the skin, starts to deplete at around age 25. Collagen-stimulating treatments such as Sofwave prevent aging while also correcting sagging and wrinkles, making them a great option for people who wish to fight those lines on their face.

Who is Sofwave For? As described by Dr. Shotter, the best possible candidates for Sofwave are those who have mild to moderate skin laxity. Me, at the age of 38, had started noticing some sagging but was not ready to consider such things as fillers or more invasive options. "I don't like to categorize people by age," claims Dr. Shotter. "Some people in their twenties have major UV damage, while others in their seventies have quite good skin." However, the average candidate typically falls between 40 and 65 with noticeable sagginess and wrinkles. It won't correct hyperpigmentation, but Sofwave will deliver pretty impressive results for those seeking to tighten up their skin. It can even be used preventatively to 'bank' collagen in younger patients.

What Does the Treatment Involve? A numbing cream is first applied to the face and neck. Without it, the ultrasound could be quite painful. Once numb, the Sofwave device is placed on specific areas of the skin in a grid pattern, heating each section. While some parts were relatively painless, others stung very sharply when the device moved. According to Dr. Shotter, the procedure usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes and is usually pretty tolerable with patients. As a precaution on discomfort, you should take paracetamol beforehand.

Importantly, Sofwave's energy hits the tissue at a safe depth of 1.5mm, so there is no worry about fat loss in the face. With age, this can lead to a sunken appearance. There is no downtime, although my skin was still a bit red and swollen post-treatment. The redness looked like a glow from a facial, and the swelling gave my face a temporary youthful plumpness.

What Results Can You Expect? Results are seen after six weeks, and it lasts nine to 12 months. Nevertheless, the initial result was transient, while three months after the treatment, I observed a possible uplift of the brow, defined jaw line, and firmer cheeks. Clinical studies by Dr. Shotter reveal a mean lift of the eyebrows by three to four millimeters, which says much for itself. She also claims in most clients that results on the neck and under-chin region are all the more remarkable.

Though subtle, the firming effect makes you look refreshed without looking and feeling different from being on injectables or fillers. Sofwave helps to enhance the contours of your face and 'prejuvinate' that is to prevent and rejuvenate early signs of aging. An expensive treatment, it's worth considering only if serious about maintaining collagen with no search for quick fixes.

As Dr. Shotter notes, "There's no one size fits all treatment. Sofwave is an accessory to an anti-aging treatment plan." And for me, that means a permanent fixture in my skincare routine.

It was a year since my first session that I went back for another round of Sofwave treatment, this time combined with plant-derived exosome therapy, a relatively new K-beauty product. This treatment utilized serum that had to be applied pre- and post-procedure, which accelerates healing as well as enhances results, due to its stimulation of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. For this round, I did not encounter any sort of redness or swelling at all. More than likely because the exosome was applied, the pain was far more tolerable. As such, I am now forever converted into being a convert of Sofwave after experiencing the fruits of both treatments.