Both Sofwave and Ultherapy treatments make the skin tighter and firmer, yet there is a difference in how they achieve that.
Sofwave treatment is FDA-approved that sculpts, lifts and firms the skin on the face and neck with the use of Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam energy. It provides long-lasting results and requires minimal downtime. It is an ultrasound device and since it uses parallel beam energy it heats the skin tissue to the precise temperature that starts protein denaturation in the deeper layers. It doesn’t heat the skin in small hotspots because it doesn’t use focused ultrasound. It also heats the skin tissue at a precise depth. It rejuvenates and triggers collagen and elastin production and thus improves the skin's overall health. It subtly firms and lifts the skin and smooths out fine lines and wrinkles. The skin appears more youthful and its overall appearance is more enhanced. It can lift brows, upper face, mid-face, lower face and neck. It is powerful yet gentle and can be used on all skin types and tones.
Ultherapy is an FDA-approved treatment for tightening and lifting jowls and neck and for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It is a non-invasive ultrasound treatment that triggers the production of elastin and collagen in the deep layers of the skin. It stimulates these building blocks in the skin and gradually provides a tightening and lifting effect.
Unlike Softwave, Ultherapy treatment uses high-focused ultrasound energy that goes into the deeper layers of the skin. Sofwave doesn’t send the energy so deeply into the skin, nevertheless, it can still be very effective in lifting - it can lift eyebrows for 3 to 4 mm, which is quite amazing. This treatment can be used from the forehead to the bottom of the neck and even in the areas with nerves without causing any damage to them. Because it doesn’t work so deeply in the skin, Softwave doesn’t carry a risk of structural changes deeper in the skin.
So, the biggest difference between Sofwave and Ultherapy is the depth at which the ultrasound is delivered into the skin.
Ultherapy treatment delivers energy at 1.5 mm, 3 mm and 4.5 mm.
Sofwave treatment delivers the energy only at 1.5 mm, where the collagen is most abundant. Since Sofwave treatment is less intense, it may be more comfortable than Ultherapy.
Another difference is in the treatment time. Sofwave is faster than Ultherapy because its applicator is larger so it can cover larger areas much quicker.
Finally, Sofwave treatment is a good option for improving skin quality. It is effective in improving crepey skin which has a collection of many fine lines.
On the other hand, Ultherapy is effective for patients that have deeper folds and wrinkles, which are not caused just by saggy skin but also by saggy muscles. This usually happens with a bit older patients.
Regarding downtime, both Sofwave and Ultherapy require only a minimal one. After the treatments, the skin is mildly red but the redness passes after one or two hours. The patients can safely cover the redness with makeup if they have an important social event right away.
Both treatments require some time to show the best results since they both work on collagen rebuilding. But, the patients can see significant improvements in their skin after just one treatment session.