In 2020, Sofwave™ unveiled its next-generation Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam (SUPERB™) technology for treating wrinkles and lax skin. Reviews gathered from physicians all over the U.S. illustrate why this non-invasive Sofwave™ technology has quickly become the frontrunner of cosmetic procedures for physicians not only in America but also across the globe.
The innovative Sofwave™ SUPERB™ technology uses seven transducers operating simultaneously to emit synchronous beams of ultrasound that heat a significant amount of tissue at a precise depth of 1.5 mm in the mid-dermis. This procedure achieves positive effects in just half the treatment time of other technologies. Additionally, unlike other dermal technologies, Sofwave™ treatments are ideal for all skin types. Ultrasound absorption is determined by the microscopic and bulk mechanical properties of tissue and is independent of skin color or pigmentation.
Mode of Action: Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam Technology SUPERB™
What do physicians think of this new technology?
Gregory Mueller, MD, FACS, is a plastic surgeon who has had a practice in Beverly Hills, California, since 1998
“Over the years, I’ve seen many techniques and technologies come and go, but when Sofwave™ was introduced, I loved it because it was the first technology that had so much energy that would just stay in the substance of the skin and not go any deeper and melt fat, or cause a lot of pain when it was being performed. For a non-invasive treatment for anti-aging, this one really knocked it out of the ballpark. Patients love it. It’s very effective, and it does exactly what you want it to do.”Dr. Mueller also uses Sofwave™ procedures in combination with fillers, Botox, and other technologies. A lot of his patients, he says, are in the early stages of aging and are not ready for surgical treatments, so Sofwave™ technology is ideal, especially since it is needle-less and relatively pain-free. Dr. Mueller underwent a Sofwave treatment himself and said, “The pain level was about a 2–3, and it was so worth the results.”
Dr. Mueller, how important is it that you can perform conbination treatments with Sofwave?
Sofwave™ technology has been FDA cleared for reducing facial lines and wrinkles, lifting the eyebrow, and lifting lax skin of the submental (beneath-the-chin) and neck tissues – clearing the way for cosmetic surgeons to recommend this procedure for patients who are not ready for surgical options.
James Newman, MD
“It is a very safe technology,” confirms James Newman, MD, FACS, of the Premier Plastic Surgery practice with offices in Palo Alto, San Mateo, and Half Moon Bay, California. “It is well-tolerated, and I think its safety profile is top-notch compared to some of the previous technologies. It’s very safe to use for all skin types, so we don’t have the risk of melanin stimulation that we could have with optical devices and some of the radiofrequency devices.”Sofwave™ ultrasound treatments achieve beneficial effects with minimal penetration, ensuring no damage to the epidermis or underlying nerves, bones, blood vessels, or face and neck tissue. The ultrasound energy is absorbed and cannot penetrate deeper than 2 mm, thus preventing injuries. With this technology, ultrasound energy precisely passes through the skin’s surface (the epidermis), heating the mid-dermal tissue at just the right depth and temperature to rejuvenate collagen fibers and improve the skin’s overall appearance. This dermal tissue heating (60–70°C) safely induces collagen production and remodeling relative to skin wrinkles in the optimal vector direction.
James Newman, MD, FACS, of the Premier Plastic Surgery, how safe is Sofwave?
During Sofwave™ ultrasound treatments, the SUPERB™ system’s Sofcool™ cooling mechanism provides real-time skin temperature monitoring and protects the uppermost skin layer from burning. The impacted treatment zones stimulate a healing response called neo-collagenases, which increases and regenerates the collagen in the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and lifting the eyebrow and submental, neck, and facial tissue.
For physicians, Sofwave™ technology delivers the following:
- A simple, intuitive procedure that staff members can administer.
- A non-invasive treatment that takes about 45 minutes for the face and neck.
- Multiple ultrasound beams that emit energy simultaneously at 1.5 mm mid-dermis.
- Clinically safe, proven efficacy with very high patient satisfaction.
- Fast return on investment (ROI) and low cost of ownership.
Amy Forman Taub, MD, FAAD, of Advanced Dermatology, a practice located near Chicago, Illinois, bases her enthusiasm for Sofwave™ technology on her patients’ positive results and on how these treatments have benefited her own appearance.
Amy Forman Taub, MD, FAAD, of Advanced Dermatology, what makes Sofwave unique?
Dr. Taub
“I’ve been really pleased,” Dr. Taub describes her personal experience undergoing Sofwave™ treatments. She explains that the procedure “reduced my neck’s wrinkles and the laxity. I had a lot more redundant skin. Also, my jowl line is improved, and my nasolabial folds are better, so I’ve seen a definite result.”She explains that Sofwave™ technology enables the patient’s own body to generate new collagen and elastin over a period of a few months after the treatment. “I think people find that very appealing,” she says.
Dr. Taub adds that an additional benefit for both patients and physicians is that Sofwave™ procedures can be combined with other treatments. “As an example, you can do fillers on the same day,” she says. “Many patients don’t want to come in for multiple visits, so you can ‘sandwich’ in other treatments with the Sofwave™ procedure and get it all done on the same day.”
Dr. E. Victor Ross
Dr. E. Victor Ross, a dermatologic surgeon in San Diego, California, says that, for him, Sofwave™ technology stands out from other non-invasive skin improvement methods because it requires very little pain management for patients. Sofwave™ technology, he notes, is easy to administer. Afterward, patients can return to their daily activities immediately because their skin looks normal after the treatment – unlike older methods that initially leave patients with swollen skin, intensely red or crusty.Dr. E. Victor Ross, a dermatologic surgeon in San Diego, what are the top advantages to Sofwave?
He considers three important aspects of Sofwave™ technology to be:
- The short time involved for treatment is typically less than an hour.
- Minimal pain management, which usually just involves a topical numbing gel or cream.
- The positive results for patients.
Sofwave™ treatments are recommended for patients of any adult age who are starting to notice the early signs of aging. It is a simple procedure for physicians to provide and for their patients to experience.
Dr. Lorrie Klein
“There is really no preparation,” says Dr. Lorrie Klein, who heads up the OC Dermatology practice in Laguna Niguel, California. “We put some numbing ointment on you, and you are ready to go. There’s no post-treatment care required, so you can go right back to work afterward or to whatever activities you want, and your skin won’t show that you had a treatment done. You’ll see results in a few months, and you can expect to see improvement in your fine lines and wrinkles. You can also expect a lifting effect, especially on the forehead, under the chin, and on the neck.”Dr. Lorrie Klein, OC Dermatology in Laguna Niguel, California
For Dr. Klein, when Sofwave™ technology was introduced, it filled a lot of needs that were not being met by other devices. She found that Sofwave™ treatments were easier than previous methods for her or a staff member to administer, and the procedures were far less painful for her patients than other methods.
Dr. Lorrie Klein
“After my patients have had a Sofwave™ treatment, I ask them their thoughts about it,” she says. “All of my patients say that they would do it again, and I haven’t gotten that same response about my other devices. One of the nice things about Sofwave™ is that we can combine it with other treatments without any problems. We especially like to do it with injectables. I like to do the toxins beforehand because it relaxes the base, and we get better collagen stimulation in those areas. We also like to do fillers afterward to enhance the results.”Dr. Stephen Eubanks
Dr. Stephen Eubanks, a dermatologist in Winter Park, Florida, and director of the Advanced Dermatology Aesthetic Center says that, with Sofwave™ technology, basically all his patients are seeing improvement in their wrinkles and a lift to their lower face and neck areas. “Everyone sees a degree of improvement,” he reports. “Some are dramatic, and some are moderate – but everyone has seen improvement.”Sofwave “KOL Insights” Video by Dr. Steve Eubanks, Director of Advanced Dermatology Aesthetic Center
Adam Rubinstein, MD, FACS, a plastic surgeon in Miami, Florida, comments that when Sofwave™ technology is compared to the older high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) procedures, it is apparent why Sofwave™ is considered to be so revolutionary. HIFU technology was less efficient in coverage, he says, and the depth of skin layers had to be determined for each patient, which required a therapist to read an ultrasound accurately and scan the patient’s skin to get a sense of how deep skin levels were.
Dr. Rubinstein explains that, with HIFU treatments, if you went too deep into the skin, you could go into the fatty tissue, which does not do well with intense energy. Going too deep would result in fat atrophy or a loss of volume, which would not be the desired outcome of the treatment. HIFU procedures also require significant pain management to help the patients get through the procedure.
Adam Rubinstein, MD
“Sofwave™ treatments are much more pain-free than HIFU procedures,” he says. “This new technology represents a night-and-day difference in treatment comfort. Our patients who have had both HIFU and Sofwave™ treatments will choose Sofwave™ every time.”Michael Gold, MD of Owner Gold Skincare Interview on Sofwave
In 2021, over 25,000 Sofwave™ SUPERB™ ultrasound treatments were performed, and Sofwave™ was a recipient of ELLE magazine’s 2021 Future of Beauty Awards, which honored the company’s technology in the “In-Office Skin Treatment” category as one of the best in the world in providing patients a younger appearance.
