Aging Gracefully: Our Top 3 Non-Surgical Facial Skin Tightening Treatments
One of the holy grails of cosmetic surgery is tightening facial skin without surgery. Until very… Read On
Sofwave Novel Approach to Skin Tightening
Non-surgical skin tightening has come of age over the last decade. Sofwave is our newest non-invasive approach to skin rejuvenation for people living in the Boston area. This novel skin tightening device uses a unique technology that delivers high energy ultrasound into the dermis. The ultrasound energy converts into heat, stimulating new collagen production and improving skin elasticity.
The procedure is safe and effective for all skin-types, relatively quick (under an hour) and with no downtime. Sofwave’s integrated cooling mechanism ensures that the skin surface remains protected. Our dermatologists use Sofwave to treat mild skin laxity of the face and neck primarily.
Sofwave uses a unique ultrasound technology that generates heat at the optimal depth in the mid-dermis, while protecting the uppermost skin layer with its integrated cooling mechanism. The heat ‘damages’ the targeted mid-dermal tissues, triggering the skin to initiate a wound healing response. This response includes the production of fresh collagen, which leads to noticeably tighter and smoother skin textures. The healing response triggered by the treatment can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Safety and precision are key features of Sofwave. Treatments are considered very safe, in part due to the device’s integrated cooling feature which ensures that no damage occurs to the surface of the skin (epidermis) or to the underlying structures beneath the dermis. Sofwave is FDA cleared to treat facial skin and neck area.
Before Photos courtesy of Sofwave Medical |
After high energy ultrasound treatment |
Yes, Sofwave is well tolerated by all skin types, including darker skin tones which are more susceptible to skin injury.
Sofwave is generally well-tolerated. However, it can be a bit more uncomfortable than Thermage, so our dermatologists may apply a topical anesthetic before the procedure.
Sofwave’s ultrasound energy precisely heats the mid-dermis at just the right depth and temperature, without damaging the skin’s surface. As a result, there is minimal downtime and patients can resume their normal activities right after treatment.
Skin tightening results improve gradually after a Sofwave treatment, but most patients see noticeable improvement around 12 weeks after a single treatment with the maximum benefit 6 months after treatment.
One to two Sofwave treatments should be sufficient, but the number will depend on the patient’s skin condition and desired results. We typically recommend repeat treatments every 1-2 years to maintain and enhance the desired skin tightening benefits achieved with Sofwave.
If you live in the Boston area, and are considering skin tightening treatments, the highly experienced dermatologists and staff at SkinCare Physicians can help. They have been providing skin tightening procedures for over 20 years, pioneering much of the early and existing research in the field. To get started, request a consultation online or contact us at (617) 731-1600 to schedule your appointment.