sofwave

ICON Dermatology & Aesthetics is one of the first practices in the Bethesda, MD area to offer Sofwave for patients interested in skin tightening. FDA-cleared Sofwave technology, is an innovative skin tightening treatment with no downtime.

Sofwave is FDA cleared for:

  • Lifting the eyebrow

  • Lifting lax submental (beneath the chin) tissue

  • Lifting neck tissue

  • Improvement in facial lines and wrinkles

Sofwave uses proprietary Intense Ultrasound Beam Technology™ (IUB), in which sound wave energy passes through the epidermis (the skin’s surface). 7 high-frequency ultrasound beams are delivered through the tissue to increase and regenerate collagen. This procedure tightens lax skin and improves the appearance of wrinkles.  According to clinical studies, 86% of subjects demonstrated improvement in wrinkle appearance.

Sofwave is a more comfortable and low-downtime alternative to Ultherapy. We offer integrated cooling, which enables treatment at the optimal depth in the mid-dermis, while ensuring no damage to the epidermis or to the underlying structures beneath the dermis. Sofwave results strongly depend on technique, safety protocols, and proper treatment parameters, which is why our treatments are administered by our highly trained board-certified dermatologists and registered nurse.


SKIN LAXITY

If you are bothered by skin laxity and other signs of aging, you are not alone. Most people start to experience skin laxity, or loosening, between the ages of 35 and 40 years due to a loss of collagen networks, elastin fibers, and hyaluronic acid — a molecule that helps the skin retain moisture.

Weight loss, especially significant or rapid weight loss, and pregnancy can also loosen the skin. Several other health and lifestyle factors can also contribute to loose skin, including:

  • menopause

  • ultraviolet (UV) light damage

  • artificial tanning

  • certain medications, such as steroids and corticosteroids

  • smoking

  • drinking



SOFWAVE SKIN TIGHTENING & WRINKLE REDUCTION

Sofwave works to restore the collagen support that firms and tones skin – and it helps reduce wrinkles by improving that elasticity and restoring the bounce of youthful skin. Sofwave works best for wrinkles that are formed by repetitive movements, such as smiling, squinting, pursing your lips, etc. (crow’s feet and fine lines around the mouth, cheek, and undereye) versus those that are caused by volume loss, like deep folds around the mouth and jowls. This is because wrinkles caused by repetitive motion are really just repeated bending and breaking down of collagen directly below that part of the skin’s surface, and when we can restore and repair that collagen, the skin looks smoother and more youthful.


Sofwave is a not spot treatment, like so many of our wrinkle-reduction treatments, but it does help remove wrinkles in a very natural and subtle way – think of it as a filter for real life!




SOFWAVE NONSURGICAL FACELIFT

If you are looking for a single treatment, to the full face (or full face and neck), that will make a real impact, but with no risk of unnatural-looking results, and at an affordable price, then Sofwave is a treatment you should consider.




SOFTWAVE BROW LIFT & EYELID LIFT

Sofwave produces great results for the brows and eyelids. Very few of the non-surgical treatments are able to create such consistent improvements in this area.

 

WHAT KIND OF RESULTS COULD I ACHIEVE WITH SOFWAVE?

Because of Sofwave’s ability to stimulate your body’s production of collagen, which is the natural protein that gives skin its youthfulness, patients could achieve the following results:

  • Tighter, lifted appearance, especially in areas that have started to droop or sag (e.g., brows, cheeks, jawline, neck)

  • Toned and firmer skin with a youthful bounce

According to its clinical studies, 88% of patients were marked as improved or significantly improved in the appearance of facial wrinkles and necklines 12 weeks after a single Sofwave treatment.




HOW IS SOFWAVE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SKIN TIGHTENING DEVICES?

Sofwave uses an Intense Ultrasound Beam technology, which is a proprietary technology unique to Sofwave.  This technology creates multiple 3-Dimensional cylindrical shaped thermal zones within the mid portion (dermis) of the skin.  This portion of the skin is where the collagen resides. These thermal zones result in a collagen building and tightening effect which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

During the procedure, the device will simultaneously cool the skin as it is treating the skin. This enhances both the comfort of the procedure and the safety profile of the device by keeping the top layer of the skin safe.

 

HOW DOES SOFWAVE WORK TO TIGHTEN THE SKIN?

The Sofwave ultasound beam creates a cylindrical shaped thermal zone that runs parallel to the skin at about 1.5 mm depth within the skin (see diagram below).  This thermal zone results in a very precise heating effect within the mid-dermis.  This effect induces your body to create a “healing” response.  New collagen and skin tightening is produced over the next 6 weeks to 3  months.

SOFWAVE BETHESDA.gif


SOFWAVE FAQ'S

WHAT IS SOFWAVE?

Sofwave is a next generation skin wrinkle treatment that is non-invasive with no down-time.  This ultrasound-based technology utilizes a high frequency, Intense Ultrasound Beam to induce collagen production within the skin.

HOW DOES SOFWAVE WORK?

Sofwave directs 7 high-frequency ultrasound beams through the skin to converge in a 3D grid at a depth of 1.5mm below the surface of the skin, creating a series of hot spots of targeted treatment. By not heating the surface of the skin, and not treating the entire tissue plane at 1.5 mm depth, Sofwave is able to produce great results without downtime.

WHAT PARTS OF THE BODY CAN BE TREATED WITH SOFWAVE?

Sofwave helps tighten skin and improve the appearance of fine lines on the chin, brow, cheeks and neck areas. This innovative, nonsurgical treatment can give patients tighter, firmer skin, and boost collagen production while requiring little to no downtime.

ARE THERE ANY RISKS OR SIDE EFFECTS WITH SOFWAVE?

The safety profile is strong. The integrated cooling mechanism Sofcool™ protects the uppermost skin layer from burning.  No device-related adverse events were reported in the clinical study.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR SOFWAVE TREATMENT?

 Sofwave is well suited for patients who have mild to moderate skin laxity of the face and neck. Someone in poor health, who smokes, or has excessive sun damage on their face is not a good candidate. Patients with more significant laxity will benefit more from a surgical procedure. If you are looking for a no downtime alternative for skin tightening of the face and neck, then Sofwave may be for you.  As always, it is highly recommended that you schedule an in-person consultation to determine which treatment will be best for you.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR SOFWAVE TREATMENT?

No specific preparation is required.

HOW LONG DOES SOFWAVE TREATMENT TAKE?

The amount of time varies based upon the individual and the coverage area. We start off by applying a powerful numbing cream to the areas which are being treated. We also can provide oral pain medication for those who may feel particularly nervous or anxious. The duration of your actual treatment will be about 20-45 minutes, depending on which areas are treated.

DOES SOFWAVE TREATMENT HURT?

There is some discomfort associated with the procedure and varies from patient to patient.  Some areas may be more sensitive than others and it will depend on how much energy is needed to optimize results.  In order to reduce the discomfort in those area, we use a topical numbing cream prior to the procedure.  The cooling device at the tip of the ultrasound transducer helps reduce discomfort as well.  Most patients tolerate treatment well.  When necessary, oral pain medications can be administered in office.

WHAT IS SOFWAVE RECOVERY LIKE?

There is no real downtime from Sofwave. No bruising and no pain. The majority of  patients have no visible signs of the procedure immediately after completion.  You do not need to take time off from work, social activities, workouts, or even red carpet appearances.

Some patients may experience a bit of transient redness in the treatment area which may last up to an hour. You can easily cover any redness with makeup right away, if you like.

IS SOFWAVE SAFE?

Sofwave treatments are safe and the technology is FDA-cleared. According to Sofwave’s clinical studies, its safety profile was excellent and there were no adverse events reported. Sofwave has the ability to measure and control skin temperature and comes with a cooling mechanism that protects the uppermost skin layer from burning. In other words, Sofwave accurately targets the thermal effect while providing optimal epidermal protection.

HOW MANY SOFWAVE TREATMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED?

The majority of patients will only need one treatment, while others will benefit from an additional treatment. The number of treatments will depend on how much skin laxity you have and how you respond to the Sofwave treatment. Treatments can be repeated annually to maintain the results.

 WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS FROM SOFWAVE?

Sofwave treatment stimulates new collagen. The process of neocollagenesis takes about 3-6 months. Most patients will start to see some results around 4-6 weeks after treatment, but should continue to see additional improvement over the following several months.


ULTHERA VS. SOFWAVE :

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE, AND WHICH IS BETTER?

Ulthera and Sofwave both make use of ultrasound technology. Ulthera targets deeper into the tissues, including hitting the muscle and bone which contributes to the significant pain associated with this treatment. Furthermore, because of the deeper penetration, fat can inadvertently be targeted leading to fat atrophy/loss of fat which is an undesirable result. Sofwave excels, because it only targets the skin, allowing for a more comfortable and safer treatment. In addition, Sofwave targets 7 points with each pulse, whereas Ulthera only targets 1 spot with each pulse – making Sofwave a quicker treatment. Sofwave is also less costly than Ulthera.

 

IS SOFWAVE A REPLACEMENT FOR A FACELIFT OR A MINI-FACELIFT?

Sofwave is a non-invasive procedure which cannot achieve the same results as a surgical facelift. A facelift specifically targets the hanging jowls and the hanging neck.  Sofwave is a less invasive treatment to tighten the fine lines and wrinkles of the face and neck.  There is currently no non-surgical equivalent to a facelift. However, some people may think that they need a facelift when they may benefit from less invasive treatments such as Sofwave.

 Learn more about Sofwave wrinkles reduction.

Our board-certified dermatologists are excited to be one of the only dermatology practices in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC are to offer Sofwave. To learn what a Sofwave treatment might do for your skin please schedule an appointment online or call us at (301) 810-3600.