The Newest, Buzziest Kid on the Block: Sofwave

After the age of 20, a person produces about 1 percent less collagen in the skin each year. As a result, skin becomes thinner and more fragile with age. Starting from our mid-20’s, collagen and elastin start to break down, causing our skin to wrinkle.

Always at the forefront of new technology, Skin Studio MD+ is one of the first practices in Vancouver offering the FDA-cleared Sofwave technology, an innovative skin tightening treatment with no downtime and minimal pain management. Patients see visible results after just one treatment!

What is Sofwave?

Sofwave is an FDA-cleared device that uses unique Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam Technology to lift, sculpt and tighten skin on the face and neck, working from the inside out for long-lasting results with minimal downtime. Whilst it’s an Ultrasound-based device, it does differ significantly from other ultrasound devices on the market. Because it uses parallel beam technology, it’s not using focused ultrasound, which heats the skin in tiny hotspots, but it’s heating the tissue to the optimal temperature for protein denaturation within the deeper layers of the skin.

How does it work?

Sofwave is a breakthrough ultrasound technology. It is one of the latest devices in the aesthetic industry that uses proprietary high intensity, low divergence, multiple ultrasound beam technology for non-invasive skin tightening & improvement in fine lines and wrinkles.

The ultrasound energy makes micro-injuries to the mid-dermis, directly stimulating repair and collagen production in the layer that is most important for skin tightening. Sofwave’s high-frequency ultrasound beams travel through the skin layer and create an array of volumetric cylindrical shaped (3D) thermal zones, resulting in targeted tissue heating and generation of new collagen. The heat energy also immediately causes contraction of the skin, tightening it and improving fines lines.

The integrated cooling mechanism in the handpiece protects the epidermis and assists in focusing the effect in the mid-dermis. Because of this advanced integrated cooling mechanism, Sofwave is able to generate energy and temperature much higher and stronger than other devices, and at the same time ensure that the procedure is still comfortable. Temperature under the skin, in the mid-dermis layer, reaches between 60-70 degree Celsius. This strong energy ensures that results are consistent and more significant in producing collagen.

How is it different from HIFU/Ultherapy?

Sofwave and Ultherapy use very similar technologies, so, is there really much difference between the two?

Ultherapy is a great device that has been on the market for many years now and has an excellent track record. Unlike every other Ultrasound-based skin tightening device in the UK that uses focused ultrasound, Sofwave uses Parallel Beam Technology which allows it to treat a wider area rather than simply targeting hotspots. Devices like Ultherapy use high-focused ultrasound, which penetrates the deeper layers of the face, and this comes with a small risk of fat loss and neuropraxia (nerve injury).

Sofwave, on the other hand, works more superficially within the skin, but it’s FDA-cleared for lifting and tightening of the eyebrow and submentum. This means that it’s proven to be safe and effective, to the same level as Ultherapy. But because it works within the skin, the lift is incredible – 3-4mm on the eyebrow on average – but without the risk of deeper, structural changes that can happen with other devices. As a result, this device can be used from the top of the forehead right down to the bottom of the neck, including over areas where there are nerves and glands without any risk of causing damage.

One may think that the Sofwave loses out in comparison due to its single depth – however, that is what makes it unique. The HIFU and Ultherapy has its own benefits by being able to provide more depth targeting at 1.5mm 3.0mm and 4.5mm. The beauty of Sofwave is that it focuses and delivers higher energy output than the HIFU or Ultherapy at 1.5mm depth. This delivers better results in terms of skin tightening and wrinkle reduction.

Tightening vs Lifting

Although both lifting and tightening sound like the same effect, they are in fact very different.

For tightening with the Sofwave, the skin will feel tighter and firmer, especially for those with skin laxity issues. The tightening of the skin results in the reduction of lines and looseness. Although the tightening effect helps a little in lifting the face, the overall muscle lifting effects are not as significant as the HIFU’s.

As for a lifting effect with the HIFU/Ultherapy, one will be able to notice that the face, especially the lower face, will be lifted from within. This results in a sharper lower face, reduced jowling, a mild pulled-back effect like a facelift, and the lifting of certain areas such as the eyes or brows, etc. As this lifting effect targets the deeper layers of the skin, the effects on fine lines and wrinkles on the surface of the skin are not as significant as the Sofwave or Thermage’s.