Ultherapy vs. Sofwave: Which Skin Tightening Treatment Is Right for You?
If you have been researching non-surgical skin tightening treatments, you have likely come across Ultherapy and Sofwave. Both are popular medspa treatments that use ultrasound technology that generates controlled heat in the skin, which stimulates collagen production and tightens skin gradually. Both are completely non-invasive, and require no downtime.
However, the two treatments work in different ways. Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby, Kalos Medical Spa’s medical director and on-site physician, chooses to offer Ultherapy over Sofwave to give our patients the best results possible.
Here are the similarities and differences that Dr. Kirby and our team considered before choosing Ultherapy.
Both Treatments Address Similar Areas, but Ultherapy Reaches Deeper
Ultherapy is FDA-cleared to lift and tighten the brow, neck, under the chin (submental area), and décolletage. Sofwave is FDA-cleared for lifting and tightening facial and neck skin, so both treatments can address similar concerns.
The key difference between the treatments is depth. Ultherapy delivers focused ultrasound energy at multiple depths—1.5 mm, 3.0 mm, and 4.5 mm—allowing treatment to be adjusted to target the deep tissue layers, as needed. Sofwave delivers energy only to a shallower depth of 0.5 to 2mm, targeted at 1.5 mm, treating only the mid-dermal layer. The deeper levels are key to effective treatment in certain anatomical areas, performed by highly trained practitioners, with physician supervision.
Ultherapy Includes Real-Time Imaging for Precision Treatment
Ultherapy is the only non-invasive skin tightening treatment that includes real-time ultrasound imaging, a technology called Microfocused Ultrasound with Visualization. This allows the specialist performing your treatment to visualize the tissue layers beneath your skin and to customize energy delivery for your specific anatomy.
This precision means your treatment can be tailored to target exactly where collagen stimulation will be most beneficial, and to avoid areas where energy delivery would be less effective or unnecessary.
Sofwave does not include visualization technology, so treatment is delivered at a fixed depth without the ability to see and adjust in real time.
Ultherapy reaches deeper tissue layers (up to 4.5 mm) and includes real-time imaging for customized treatment—making it the gold standard for non-invasive skin tightening.
Ultherapy Is Better Suited for Moderate Skin Laxity
Because Ultherapy reaches the deeper foundational layers of the skin, it is well-suited for patients with mild-to-moderate skin laxity—those who notice sagging brows, loose neck skin, or loss of definition along the jawline. Sofwave’s shallower treatment depth makes it generally better suited for patients in the early stages of skin aging with only fine lines and minimal laxity.
Many of the patients we see who are good candidates for non-surgical skin tightening have areas of both mild and moderate skin laxity, and with Ultherapy, we are easily able to switch between shallow and deep treatment levels for a fully customized regimen.
Both Treatments Require No Downtime
One of the advantages of both Ultherapy and Sofwave is that they require little to no downtime. Patients may notice mild redness or swelling that typically resolves within a few hours. Some patients experience temporary tenderness or slight bruising that is expected to fade within a few days. Serious side effects are rare with either treatment, and patients can return to normal activities immediately afterward.
Both Ultherapy and Sofwave work by stimulating the body’s natural collagen production, so results develop gradually over time rather than appearing immediately. With Ultherapy, most patients notice the most significant improvements around three to six months after treatment, as new collagen forms and existing collagen fibers contract and tighten.
Results from Ultherapy can last a year or longer, depending on the individual’s skin condition, age, and lifestyle factors. Many patients choose to have maintenance treatments every 12 to 18 months to sustain results.
Combining Ultherapy with Other Treatments
Ultherapy is ideal for skin tightening, while other treatments at our medical spa improve surface skin tone, texture, volume loss, and address deeper wrinkles. Combining Ultherapy with one of these treatments is sometimes the ideal approach for creating a harmonious, balanced result:
- Morpheus8 RF Microneedling — addresses skin texture, pore size, and fine lines; Ultherapy lifts and tightens
- Dermal fillers — restore volume in cheeks or temples to complement lifting effects
- Botox or Dysport — relax dynamic wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes
During your consultation, we can discuss a customized treatment plan that combines Ultherapy with other therapies to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
If you are considering non-surgical skin tightening and want to learn more about Ultherapy, we invite you to schedule a consultation at Kalos Medical Spa. Our team of specialists, supervised on-site by Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby, will evaluate your skin, discuss your concerns, and recommend the best treatment plan for your needs. Call Kalos Medical Spa in Fort Worth at (817) 292-4200 to book your consultation today.
