What Is Sofwave?

A photo of the Sofwave machine at Mallucci clinic

"Sofwave is a non-invasive treatment that uses a specific ultrasound technology—synchronous ultrasound parallel beam (SUPERB) that stimulates collagen and elastin in the mid dermis without damaging the surface or targeting fat tissue," says Kerry Herbet, senior aesthetic practitioner at Mallucci. "Sofwave delivers energy to a precise depth of 1.5mm into the mid dermis, where you'll find the most amount of collagen and elastin fibres," she says.

Sofwave Benefits

Lifts brows and jowls, as well as tightening the skin around the chin and neck
Can be used on many areas of the face and body, including the arms, legs and abdomen
Helps to boost collagen and elastin
No downtime
Non-invasive
An instant result can be seen, with full results in 12 weeks
Relatively quick treatment time
Results last around 12 months

"Sofwave is great in achieving a more snatched jawline, lifting the eyebrows and, if the cheek area has dropped or sunken, it can help to plump and lift this area," says Herbet. "It's also great to improve that crepey textured skin around the arms or legs and for post-pregnancy around the belly button," she says."[A good candidate for Sofwave is] someone who feels their skin is dropping around the jowl area or wants to appear more lifted and refreshed," she says. "Depending on the severity of laxity on the body, Sofwave can help improve this to tighten and give a smoother appearance."

If you're looking for an alternative to Botox browlift, then Sofwave is something to consider. "Sofwave and Botox are very different treatments," says Herbet. "Botox treats static lines whereas Sofwave can treat dynamic lines and soften the appearance. If a client didn't want to go down the injectable route, more invasive treatments would be more beneficial. However, Sofwave can achieve a subtle brow lift," she says.

"Typically, results can last up to 1-2 years, depending on various factors. Maintenance sessions can be carried out after six months. Some clients may need two sessions depending on the concern and body areas," she adds.

Herbet tells me that most people can have Sofwave. However, if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, it should be avoided. "Most people can have Sofwave, however, it will be based on the individual's medical history, including medication," she says.

How To Prepare For a Sofwave Treatment

Eleanor wearing numbing cream prior to her Sofwave treatment

Herbet recommends stopping the use of any active skincare ingredients (such as retinoids (like retinol) and exfoliating AHA/BHA acids) a few days before.

Injectable treatments should be avoided two weeks prior, as well as any facial treatments that can affect the skin barrier (such as chemical peels, for example). "The skin surface needs to be in good condition, with no excessive dryness or irritation that is still healing from previous treatment," she says. "Ideally, you should have no excessive sun exposure for two weeks prior to minimise heat within the skin."

Prior to your treatment, your practitioner will apply some numbing cream to help minimise discomfort.

What To Expect During a Sofwave Treatment

Depending on the area you're having treatment, a Sofwave appointment can take around two hours (which includes waiting for the numbing cream to kick in) but for larger areas, you can expect it to take longer.

"We take photos of the area before we start, cleanse the skin, mark the area and apply a layer of ultrasound gel," says Herbet. "We then proceed to start the treatment and apply the applicator to each section of the area. Once treatment is completed, we remove the gel and cleanse the skin to remove any stickiness and apply appropriate skincare."

A big question around Sofwave is the pain level—and it was top of my questions list prior to my appointment. "Discomfort is dependent on individual pain tolerance. However, there is some discomfort and can be described as a hot ache," says Herbet. However, there is no downtime after, so you can go about your day as normal.

My Experience

Eleanor during the Sofwave treatment, with the device on her eyebrows

I booked in to have a Sofwave treatment on my brows to help lift and refresh my eye area. Upon arriving at Mallucci, I had a consultation with Herbet about the treatment and my areas of concern, before she applied the numbing cream around my undereye and brow areas.Once my skin was numb (around 30-45 minutes later) we began the treatment and Herbet applied the ultrasound gel to my skin. Prior to my appointment, I did my research on Sofwave and found mixed reviews on the pain levels. Herbet told me that Sofwave is typically more painful around boney areas (such as the brows) than it is on fleshier areas of the face and body. I won't lie to you—it's probably the most painful treatment I've tried.

The only way I can describe the sensation is the intense heat you feel when accidentally touching your hair straighteners for too long. As each small section is treated, you feel the heat slowly increase over 10 seconds, then, at the point where you almost can't bear it, it's gone. Within each duration, those last two seconds are the hardest (I had to squeeze my fingers together to distract from the pain at times), but thankfully, Herbet was great at counting me through each treatment (and brought me plenty of Lotus biscuits to take the edge off afterwards).

Once one brow and undereye was done, I wasn't sure if I could bear to have the other side done. But, when I saw the side-by-side in the mirror, I saw a noticeable lifting, which spurred me on to do the other side (and there was no way I was leaving looking lopsided).Once we were finished, I could see a subtle lifting across my brows (apparently, many patients do see an instant result as the collagen fibroblasts have contracted during the treatment) and Herbet told me that I'd see full results around 12 weeks.

What's great about this treatment is that there is zero downtime (I was just a little flushed) but, I could apply makeup afterwards and head to dinner and drinks with friends. After a touch of my skin tint, you would never have known I'd had anything done.

One side of the face treated with Sofwave vs the untreated side

Here is the result after treating the left (my right brow and undereye), versus the right.

Here is my skin immediately after the Sofwave treatment. I left a little flushed, but I could see and feel an instant lift after my Sofwave treatment. I was excited to see the full results after 12 weeks, which you can see below.

After 3 Months

Above is a before picture and after picture, three months after having my Sofwave picture. For reference, I'm wearing base makeup in both, but no brow or eye makeup and took the photos in the same light and kept my facial expression neutral to get an accurate side-by-side comparison.

My Verdict

Side by side before and after of the eyes and brows 3 months after having a Sofwave treatment

It's now been over three months since having my Sofwave treatment and I can definitely see a lift. It's subtle, but it is there. Immediately after the treatment, I could see a difference and my brows and forehead area felt tighter—it was amazing.I think it's important to manage your expectations when it comes to a treatment like Sofwave. While it can lift and tighten, it's not going to rival a surgical treatment like a brow lift or upper blephroplasty. But, if you do want something that is non-invasive and with no downtime, then this is a great option if you want some subtle lifting. Whether it's worth the cost (which is very expensive, starting at about £1,800—more if you're having a full face done), that's up to you. Had I spent my own money on it, I may have wanted more of a dramatic lift. And to be honest, I wish that the treatment itself was a little less painful.

However, when I look at my before and after pictures, I feel I look more rested. What surprised me was the improvement around my undereye hollows, which are now not quite as prominent. My eyes look a little more open and my brows definitely sit a little higher than they did. Plus, results last for a year, so you won't have to go back and forth to the clinic to maintain the results. If you have the cash to spend, then I'd recommend it.

Risks and Aftercare

"There is minimal downtime, however on rare occasions, some clients may experience some redness and/or swelling that normally subsides within 24/48 hours," says Herbet.

"As the barrier of the skin isn't compromised, aftercare is also quite minimal but you should keep the skin hydrated and avoid any further heat for 24 hours. Any laser or injectable treatments should be avoided for 2-4 weeks," she says. "As with any energy-based treatment, there are possible risks/side effects such as burns, swelling and white spots that can appear but will all subside.

Cost

Costs will vary from clinic to clinic and depending on the areas of the face and/or body that you're treating. At Malluci, Sofwave treatment starts from £1800.