BHRC BLOG
What Is Sofwave? How It Works, Results, Pain and Cost
Skin tightening · Sofwave
Sofwave is one of the newer ways to tighten skin without surgery. Here is how it works, what it treats, whether it hurts, how long it lasts and what it costs.
What Sofwave is, in plain terms
Sofwave is a non-invasive skin tightening device. A handpiece sends ultrasound energy into the mid-dermis, about 1.5 mm below the surface, which is the layer of skin where collagen and elastin are made. Sofwave calls the technology SUPERB (Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam). According to the manufacturer, the heating stays between about 0.5 and 2 mm deep. An integrated cooling system called Sofcool monitors and protects the skin’s surface while it works.
That controlled heat prompts the skin to remodel and build new collagen over the following weeks. There are no needles, no incisions and no injections, and you go back to your day right after.
What Sofwave is FDA-cleared to treat
Sofwave has received a series of FDA 510(k) clearances since 2021. The most recent one we reviewed, K250146 from April 2025, lists these uses:
- Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
- Lifting the eyebrow
- Lifting lax tissue under the chin and on the neck
- Short-term improvement in the appearance of cellulite
- Treating acne scars
- Improving the appearance of skin laxity on the upper arms
In practice, most people come in for the brow, jawline and neck: softening early jowls, tightening crepey neck skin or opening up a heavy brow.
Does Sofwave work?
For the right person, yes. Sofwave works best for mild to moderate laxity and fine lines: skin that has started to soften but hasn’t dropped significantly. It doesn’t remove skin and it isn’t a facelift. If you have heavy jowls or a lot of loose neck skin, a surgical consultation will usually get you further, and a good provider will tell you so.
The change is gradual. Sofwave says some people see initial improvement within about a week, and results keep building over the next 12 weeks as new collagen forms. Because the change is your own collagen rather than a product, it looks natural. People tend to notice you look rested, not that you’ve had something done.
Does Sofwave hurt?
Most people feel warmth under the skin with each pulse. A topical numbing cream applied before treatment keeps it comfortable, and the built-in cooling protects the surface.
How long does a Sofwave treatment take, and what is the downtime?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | Most treatments take 30 to 45 minutes. |
| Number of treatments | Most people need one. Upper arms were studied with two treatments, 4 to 6 weeks apart. |
| Downtime | You can go back to normal activities immediately. Mild redness or swelling usually settles within a few hours. |
| First results | Some people see a change within about a week. |
| Full results | Results build over about 12 weeks. |
| How long results last | Sofwave says results can last up to a year or more after one treatment. Many people book a yearly maintenance session. |
Does Sofwave cause fat loss?
No. This is one of the most common questions about energy-based tightening, and Sofwave answers it directly: by design, the treatment avoids the subcutaneous fat layer, which typically starts around 3 mm below the surface. Its energy is centred at 1.5 mm, in the dermis, so fat cells are not the target. If facial volume loss is your concern, ask about fillers or collagen stimulators instead.
Is Sofwave safe for all skin types?
Sofwave says it is suitable for all skin types and works independently of skin colour, because the energy is delivered below the surface while the top layer is cooled. That makes it a useful option for deeper skin tones, where some lasers carry a higher risk of pigment changes. Your provider still reviews your skin, medical history and any implants in the area before treatment.
How much does Sofwave cost?
Sofwave is priced by area. At BHRC, Sofwave is offered at our Henderson, Nevada clinic, and these are its list prices:
| Area | Price per treatment |
|---|---|
| Brow / eyes | $937.50 |
| Lower face | $1,750 |
| Neck | $1,750 |
| Full face | $2,700 |
| Lower face + neck | $3,000 |
| Full face + neck | $3,750 |
| Chest | $1,400 |
| Small body area | $1,500 |
| Spot (single square) | $312.50 |
BHRC Henderson list prices, October 2026, before any promotion. Medium and large body areas and two-treatment body packages are also available.
A full face plus neck is the most popular combination, because it treats the jawline as one continuous area. Beauty Bank members at BHRC Henderson have access to member pricing on many aesthetic services. Ask the clinic how it applies to your Sofwave appointment.
Sofwave vs. Ultherapy vs. Morpheus8
All three tighten skin, but they work at different depths and suit different people. We compare them side by side, with cost, comfort and downtime, in Sofwave vs. Ultherapy vs. Morpheus8.
Is Sofwave worth it?
It’s worth it if your goal is a subtle, natural lift with no downtime and your laxity is mild to moderate. It is less worthwhile if you want a dramatic change or have significant sagging. One treatment, a result that builds for three months and lasts around a year makes it easy to plan around events. That’s why many patients schedule it a few months before a wedding or a big birthday.
Where to get Sofwave
BHRC Henderson is the BHRC clinic that offers Sofwave. It’s inside The District at Green Valley Ranch and convenient for Green Valley, Anthem, Seven Hills, Inspirada and Boulder City. Every treatment starts with a free consultation, where you’ll find out whether Sofwave, Ultherapy or Morpheus8 suits your skin.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sofwave used for?
Sofwave is FDA-cleared to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, lift the brow and lift lax skin under the chin and on the neck. Later clearances added short-term improvement in the appearance of cellulite, acne scars and skin laxity on the upper arms.
How many Sofwave treatments do I need?
Most people need one treatment. A yearly maintenance session helps keep results going. Upper arms were studied with two treatments, 4 to 6 weeks apart.
How long does it take to see results from Sofwave?
Some people notice a change within about a week. Results continue to build for about 12 weeks as new collagen forms.
How long does Sofwave last?
According to Sofwave, results can last up to a year or more after a single treatment.
Does Sofwave melt fat?
No. Sofwave targets the dermis at about 1.5 mm and avoids the fat layer, which typically begins around 3 mm deep.
Is Sofwave painful?
Most people feel warm pulses. A numbing cream applied beforehand and the built-in cooling keep it comfortable.
How much does Sofwave cost?
At BHRC Henderson, Sofwave starts at $937.50 for the brow and eyes. A full face is $2,700, and a full face plus neck is $3,750.
Is Sofwave the same as Ultherapy?
No. Both use ultrasound to tighten skin, but Sofwave treats a single depth in the mid-dermis, while Ultherapy uses imaging and treats at several depths. See our full comparison.
References
- Sofwave Medical. Patient FAQs: treatment time, number of treatments, comfort, downtime, results and fat. sofwave.com
- Sofwave Medical. FAQs: SUPERB technology, 1.5 mm mid-dermis depth, Sofcool integrated cooling, skin types. sofwave.com
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 510(k) K250146, SofWave System (April 2025): indications for use. accessdata.fda.gov
Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center. This content is general education and does not create a provider-patient relationship or constitute medical advice. Candidacy, dosing, results and pricing vary by person and by clinic and are confirmed at your consultation. Prices shown are standard list prices as of October 2026 and exclude promotions. Written and reviewed by the BHRC clinical team.
