Featured Image Source
I recently decided (well, COVID prompted this) to stop getting Botox and fillers. I always bruise very badly with Botox and it gives me migraines. And I had read about fillers messing with the natural elasticity of your face, which could, potentially, make any loose skin concerns worse. So, I started looking for alternatives.
I’m 45 and have some skin concerns, which are probably pretty normal for my age — loss of tone, redness, larger pores, fine lines, and a bit of sagging in the neck and jowls. I know facelift technology has come a long way, but I’m not ready to commit to that kind of invasive procedure. Never say never…but, so far, it’s a no for me.
So, I read up on a procedure called Ultherapy that uses ultrasound waves to tighten the skin. When I called a highly rated local dermatology office, however, they told me there’s even newer tech in the skin-tightening game – a procedure called Sofwave.
Basically, Sofwave (which is also commonly used to heal injuries) uses an ultrasound parallel beam which passes through the outer layer of your skin and heats the mid dermal tissue. This rejuvenates collagen fibers, which will give you a tightened appearance, especially in the neck, around the eyes, and the jawline — all the places I was looking for help. I, excitedly, booked an appointment.
What Is Sofwave?
Sofwave is non-surgical and outpatient. The treatment time is only 30-45 minutes and there’s NO downtime. Like, zero — not even redness or the scaly skin you get with a treatment like Clear & Brilliant, etc. I was instructed to arrive at least an hour before my treatment time in order to apply numbing cream and to give it time to take effect.
The numbing cream is a very strange sensation, especially when applied around the eyes. After it took full effect, the treatment began. I will say this, it’s PAINFUL. My dermatologist let me know that each person’s experience is different, and it’s really determined by how sensitive you are to temperature, not pain. I have a super high pain threshold, but am sensitive to temperature.
To me, the sensation was similar to someone tapping a hot curling iron against my face for a millisecond at a time. The dermatologist held the Sofwave device to each spot on my face for around 7 seconds. The first 5 seconds were fine — a slow build of heat — but the last 2 seconds were intense, and I found myself balling up my fists and squirming or trying to pull away. I squirmed around so much they ended up turning down the machine to a lower, less effective level to make it more bearable for me.
Sofwave Before And After Results
I saw results within the next two months. My jawline, neck, and jowls actually looked better within the first couple weeks. My skin was noticeably tighter, firmer, and with a big reduction in fine lines. Even though the 30-45 minute treatment itself was uncomfortable for me, the results were definitely worth it. After my first treatment, I was so happy with my results that I scheduled a second treatment for around 2.5 months later. This time, I elected to pay extra for nitrous oxide during my treatment to help me tolerate it. The pain was about the same for me, but the nitrous oxide helped me relax and not squirm so I could use the recommended level.
View this post on Instagram
It’s been about a month now since my second treatment and the results just keep getting better and better. People see me whom I haven’t seen since the holidays and they all comment about how great I look. Close friends have even asked me if I’ve had work done. I should also make it a point to let you know that Sofwave isn’t cheap (beauty never is, eh?) and if you want your whole face done, expect to pay around $3,000 to $4,000. You can get spot-treated for far less, if you are only concerned about your jaw, chin, or around your eyes — under $1,000, in some cases.
Obviously, I would recommend this treatment since I’ve gone back to do it a second time. Most people only need 1-2 treatments, and it works best on people with earlier signs of aging. I’m very happy with my results and I think it was worth the cost and the discomfort.
Have you tried Sofwave? What are your opinions on Sofwave vs. Ultherapy? Share your Sofwave reviews with us in the comments below!
Read These For The Latest In Beauty And Skincare:
