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Sofwave in Portland & Lake Oswego

Firming and lifting the skin used to mean one of two options: get surgery or live with it. Sofwave, a non-invasive collagen stimulation treatment, can lift and tighten areas like the brows, lower face, jawline, and neck.

With no needles or surgery, treatment involves little to no downtime. Since results develop gradually, no one can tell you had any procedures done.

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What is Sofwave, and How Does It Work?

Sofwave is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive skin tightening treatment in Lake Oswego that uses Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam (SUPERB™) technology to stimulate your body’s own collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.

It delivers precise ultrasound energy to the mid-dermis, the layer of skin where collagen is produced, and heats this layer to the temperature range needed to trigger remodeling. The results are improved skin laxity, minimized appearance of wrinkles, and firmer, smoother-looking skin.

What Treatment Areas Does Sofwave Work Best?

Sofwave is versatile and can be used on the face and body:

  • Brows: Tightens surrounding tissue, lifts the brow, creates a more awake appearance
  • Lower Face: Addresses lower cheek laxity and enhances facial contours
  • Jawline/Jowls: Sharpens jawline definition and reduces appearance of sagging
  • Neck: Reduces appearance of neck lines and improves texture and laxity
  • Submental Area (Under the Chin): Minimizes appearance of double chin, reduces laxity, improves chin-to-neck transition
  • Décolletage: Improves tone and texture and reduces appearance of vertical lines
  • Upper Arms: Reduces sagging skin and tones the arms
  • Abdomen: Firms loose or lax skin and tones the abdomen
  • Thighs: Tightens skin laxity to contours thighs
  • Buttocks: Improves firmness and smoothness for a more lifted appearance

What Are the Benefits of Sofwave?

  • Faster Results: Visible improvement can be seen in 2-4 weeks.
  • Versatility: It’s safe and effective for all skin types.
  • No Downtime: You can return to your activities immediately.
  • Proven Safety: FDA-cleared and extensive data to support safety.
  • Comfort Level: The Sofcool™ technology allows for a more comfortable treatment.
  • Appearance: Subtle, natural results instead of looking “overly done.”

Am I a Candidate for Sofwave in Portland?

Sofwave is best for most patients who have concerns of mild to moderate skin laxity and don’t want surgery or lengthy downtime.

Ideal candidates typically:

  • Have concerns with loss of elasticity, skin laxity, or definition
  • Want to prevent or reverse signs of aging
  • Prefer non-invasive options instead of surgical procedures
  • Have realistic expectations regarding results
  • Want to maintain results from previous procedures
  • Want no downtime

What Is the Sofwave Treatment Like?

The treatment can take 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how many areas are being treated.

  1. Evaluation – Your provider will evaluate your skin and discuss your goals to determine if Sofwave is right for you, where you should have treatment, and if more than one treatment is recommended.
  2. Cleansing and Gel – The treatment area will be thoroughly cleansed to remove any residue. Then, a thin layer of ultrasound gel is applied to help facilitate energy delivery.
  3. Application – The Sofwave handpiece is moved across the treatment area in a grid-like pattern. You will feel a gentle warmth and mild vibrations, but patients report the treatment as comfortable and tolerable.
  4. Sofcool™ – The integrated cooling system activates between each pass to keep the skin protected and comfortable.
  5. Post-Treatment Assessment – Your provider will examine the treated area and provide aftercare instructions. Since there is no downtime, you can get right back to your activities.

Sofwave for the Body

Sofwave isn’t just for the face and neck. It can also treat larger areas such as the abdomen, upper arms, thighs, and buttocks. This is a great option for patients dealing with mild to moderate skin laxity in those areas.

Sofwave for the body is becoming popular as a non-surgical option for post-massive weight loss patients, like those on GLP-1s. After significant weight loss, skin usually does not “snap back” on its own, which leaves loose, less firm tissue in the abdomen, upper arms, and thighs. However, treatment is best done on people who have stabilized after weight loss.

Sofwave shouldn’t be mistaken for surgical skin removal in patients with significant excess skin. However, for those with mild to moderate laxity, it offers a way to firm and tighten the remaining skin to support your weight loss results. For more effective results, it can be paired with NuEra® Tight. Sofwave uses ultrasound to lift, while NuEra® Tight uses radiofrequency to firm and smooth cellulite.

It’s sought out by patients who aren’t ready, or simply do not want, body contouring surgery. As with the face treatments, optimal results build gradually as the body boosts collagen production, and multiple sessions are usually recommended for more noticeable improvement in larger body areas.

Does Sofwave Hurt?

While treatment is not painful, comfort levels can vary from patient to patient. As the handpiece glides across the treatment area, you will feel warmth and a mild vibration. With each pulse from the device, there may be a slight pinching sensation, with mild redness for a few hours being a common post-treatment reaction. While the majority of patients describe the treatment as comfortable, your treating provider can discuss other pain mitigation techniques if pain is a concern.

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When Will I See Results and How Long Do They Last?

Sofwave results show continued improvement over time. Here is what you can expect:

Week 1 to 2

Patients may notice small improvements in tightening and texture.

Weeks 2 to 4

Fine lines and wrinkles can appear softer, skin can feel firmer, and texture will continue to improve.

Weeks 4 to 12

Results will become increasingly visible as collagen remodeling goes on. The appearance of wrinkles will decrease, overall laxity improves, and the face will look more contoured. Data has proven that the best results show around 12 weeks.

After 3 Months

Results from Sofwave will continue to improve as the collagen remodeling stage concludes. Patients often state that their skin looks better in the following months after treatment.

Sofwave results are long-lasting, but they are not permanent. You can expect six months to one year of visible improvement after a single treatment. Longevity depends on a handful of factors such as age, skin quality, sun exposure, genetics, and maintenance treatments.

Can I Combine Sofwave with Other Treatments?

Yes! We find that the best results come from layering treatments, as there is no single treatment that addresses every concern.

While Sofwave focuses on skin laxity, fillers can add volume, lasers can improve overall skin tone, and neurotoxins can smooth out wrinkles. Your provider can create a free, customized treatment plan to help you reach your goals.

Finding the Right Treatment: Sofwave or Ultherapy®?

At Burgess Plastic Surgery and MedSpa, we’re proud to offer both Sofwave and Ultherapy®. They’re both excellent, FDA-cleared, and non-invasive options for skin tightening and lifting, but they provide results in different ways.

Neither treatment should be considered “better” than the other. The right choice depends on your anatomy, goals, and comfort level. During your evaluation, we will help you decide which treatment (or a combination of both) makes the most sense for you.

Sofwave May Be Right for You if:

  • You want a shorter, more comfortable treatment
  • You have mild to moderate skin laxity and want subtle rejuvenation
  • You are hesitant about more intensive procedures and surgery
  • You are interested in treating the body and face

Ultherapy® May Be Right for You if:

  • You are looking for a more significant lift
  • You are exploring non-surgical facelift options
  • You have moderate skin laxity and want to reach deeper layers, such as the SMAS layer, which is addressed in surgical facelifts
  • You are comfortable with longer treatments

Why Choose Burgess Plastic Surgery and MedSpa for Sofwave?

Our practice has been serving the Portland metropolitan area for over 20 years. We offer several surgical and non-surgical options, which allows our recommendations to be given strictly on our patients’ needs rather than single-device solutions.

We combine advanced aesthetic treatments with access to plastic surgery expertise from double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Elisa Burgess. She and her providers have extensive training, high standards for patient safety, and years of experience with facial rejuvenation procedures.

DISCLAIMER: Sofwave is FDA-cleared for brow lift, submentum lift, face wrinkles, upper arm laxity, neck laxity, acne scarring, and cellulite. However, it may be used in other areas that are not FDA-cleared, in an off-label use.

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Schedule Your Sofwave Consultation Today in Portland & Lake Oswego, OR

At Burgess Plastic Surgery and MedSpa, our team offers Sofwave and other advanced wellness treatments to help you achieve your cosmetic goals. Dr. Burgess will take the time to tailor your treatment to your needs, helping to create natural-looking, rejuvenated results.

To learn more about Sofwave, chemical peels, dermal fillers, and other MedSpa treatment options, schedule your visit with Burgess Plastic Surgery and MedSpa in Portland and Lake Oswego by calling (503) 699-6464 or completing the online contact form today.

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