Sofwave
What is Sofwave?
Sofwave is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive skin tightening device using SUPERB Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam Technology. It has been shown to generate new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid within the skin over time. Most importantly, it leads to meaningful, noticeable and natural-looking results over time, without surgery and without downtime.
Benefits of Sofwave include:
- Skin tightening that gives you a “lifted” look. Common treatment zones are the face, jawline and neck
- Sofwave can be used to lift the brow and tighten the loose skin of the neck and underneath the chin, but it can also be used anywhere you have loose skin (common in patients who have been on a GLP-1 drug)
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time
- Reduces the appearance of cellulite
- No downtime
- Non-invasive
- Well-tolerated
- High patient satisfaction
The depth for treating wrinkles is 1.5mm in the mid-dermis. Sofwave’s unique, Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam SUPERB™ technology generates heat at this exact depth. Another unique feature is SofCool™ technology: each transducer is individually cooled and in direct contact with the epidermis during treatment. This ensures a uniform effect in the tissue and repeatable, controllable energy deposition in the skin without damaging the epidermal (outer) skin. The impacted treatment zones stimulate a healing response, called neocollagenesis, which increases and regenerates the collagen in the skin, leading to the reduction in fine lines, wrinkles and lifting.
Typically, the treatment protocol calls for 1-2 treatments, depending on the patient’s skin condition. Most patients opt to continue treatment every 1-2 years as maintenance.
Patients may feel a warm sensation on their skin as the ultrasound energy is delivered, which can be resolved by applying a topical anesthetic ointment before the treatment. The treatment itself takes about 35-45 minutes. Following treatment, there are no sensations, and there is no need to apply special care to the skin. Patients may resume their daily activities quickly post-treatment.
Some patients have reported seeing immediate results as soon as 1 week following the treatment. The natural skin regeneration process can sometimes take up to 12 weeks, so patients are expected to see ongoing improvements during this period. Sofwave’s clinical evidence shows a significant effect up to one year following a single treatment.
Sofwave is designed to minimize downtime and optimize patient convenience:
- No bruising was reported during clinical testing.
- No penetration of the skin is required.
- No device-related adverse events were reported in the multi-center clinical studies.
- None of the patients experienced persistent pain or tenderness that would delay a return to normal activities.
Board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Patricia Richey specializes in Sofwave treatments to stimulate natural collagen production, tighten skin, and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without surgery. She is widely regarded as one of the leading aesthetic dermatologists in Chevy Chase, Bethesda, and the surrounding communities. She sees patients at her Chevy Chase office and proudly treats patients from Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac, and Washington, DC.
At a Glance
Dr. Patricia Richey
- Board-certified dermatologist
- Fellowship-trained and board-certified Mohs surgeon
- Harvard fellowship-trained in lasers and cosmetics
- Author of innovative dermatology research and publications
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