Sofwave results: when they appear and how long they last

With any treatment, the first questions are when the effect appears and how long it lasts. Sofwave uses parallel ultrasound beams to create zones of heat in the dermis, which prompts the skin to rebuild collagen and elastin. Energy devices that work this way follow a broadly similar course. This article describes that course for Sofwave.

Sofwave has a short-term and a longer-term effect

The short-term effect is the tight, firm feeling right after treatment. The heat briefly contracts the dermis, and mild swelling adds to the sensation. It usually fades within a few hours to a day or two.

The longer-term effect is different. It develops as the heated dermis forms new fibers and remodels, so it appears over weeks to months. If the two are not distinguished, it is easy to be disappointed, concluding that the treatment worked at first and then wore off.

The longer-term effect appears from one month

The change from remodeling becomes visible at one month at the earliest. In a clinical study of 36 people, more than 60% already had shallower nasolabial folds and marionette lines at the 1-month visit (Hongcharu 2023, PMID 36757157). In another study, 34 people had a single full-face and under-chin treatment, and the skin contraction measured at 8 weeks held through 24 weeks (Oku 2024, PMID 38411259). In a study of 15 people who had two sessions, improvement in laxity of the brow, the area under the chin, and the neck was seen at both the 3-month and 6-month visits (Gold 2024, PMID 38031530).

Remodeling of the dermis continues to ten months

Remodeling within the skin continues longer than the visible change. In a study with skin biopsies taken at 1, 4, 7, and 10 months after treatment, collagen and elastin increased steadily over time. The dermal fibers realigned in parallel, and production of other components of the supporting matrix continued throughout the 10 months (Carruthers 2025, PMID 41405933). A single treatment therefore sets off months of remodeling.

Allow at least three months before judging

Because the longer-term effect follows this course, judging too early is likely to misread the result. Little visible change at 2 to 4 weeks is normal. There is no fixed rule, but we consider 3 months the earliest point at which to discuss the result. We repeat every 6 months as a rule and adjust the interval as needed.

For this reason, Sofwave is not a treatment for the weeks just before an event. It suits ongoing maintenance of skin firmness. For an event with a fixed date, a device with a more immediate effect is the better choice.

For how Sofwave works, see How Sofwave tightens skin: parallel ultrasound heat at 1.5 mm. For the other devices, see Ultherapy results: when they appear and how long they last and Thermage results: when they appear and how long they last.

References

1. Hongcharu W, et al. (2023). The efficacy and safety of the high-intensity parallel beam ultrasound device at the depth of 1.5 mm for skin tightening. J Cosmet Dermatol. PMID 36757157 (opens in new window).
2. Gold MH, Biron J (2024). Efficacy and safety of high-intensity, high-frequency, non-focused ultrasound parallel beams for facial skin laxity. J Cosmet Dermatol. PMID 38031530 (opens in new window).
3. Oku K (2024). Vectorized facial skin tightening: a study on the Thermal Thread Technique utilizing high-intensity, high-frequency, parallel ultrasound beam. Lasers Surg Med. PMID 38411259 (opens in new window).
4. Carruthers J, et al. (2025). Synchronous parallel ultrasound induces long-term extracellular matrix remodeling of human skin. Dermatol Surg. PMID 41405933 (opens in new window).