Written by the team at L’Atelier Aesthetics, checked by Dr Duncan Brennand, Lead Aesthetic Doctor.
Sofwave is a non-surgical skin tightening treatment that delivers ultrasound energy into the middle layer of the skin, where controlled heat prompts the body to produce new collagen. At L’Atelier Aesthetics on Harley Street, it is used to firm mild to moderate laxity across the brow, cheeks, jawline and neck, with the result building gradually over the weeks that follow rather than appearing overnight.
Sofwave is delivered through a smooth handpiece that rests on the skin.
A built-in cooling system keeps the surface comfortable and protected throughout, which is the main reason there is no peeling or recovery time afterwards. Because the energy is delivered at a single, fixed depth, there is no need to map the face with an ultrasound image first, which keeps each session relatively quick.
Sofwave tends to suit:
It is less suitable for:
If you want to restore lost volume rather than firm the skin, a skin booster or collagen-stimulating injectable may be a better starting point, and Dr Brennand will say so at the assessment.
The closest comparison is Ultherapy, which also uses ultrasound. Sofwave works at one fixed depth and is generally quicker and more comfortable, while Ultherapy uses imaging to target several depths; we cover this in our Sofwave versus Ultherapy comparison. If your concern is deeper lines and texture as well as laxity, Morpheus8 takes a different approach using radiofrequency and microneedling, with a few days of recovery. For most patients with mild to moderate laxity who want comfort and no downtime, Sofwave is our preferred ultrasound option.
Sofwave is usually a single session lasting around thirty to forty-five minutes, depending on the area treated. Some patients notice a little tightening early on, but the real change comes as new collagen forms. Most people see the fullest result at around twelve weeks, and results typically last between twelve and eighteen months. A single annual session is a common way to maintain the effect. Downtime is minimal: mild redness or a flushed feeling for a few hours is normal, and most patients return to their day straight away.
Dr Duncan Brennand, Lead Aesthetic Doctor: Sofwave works best for patients with mild to moderate laxity who want firming without downtime. If the skin has dropped significantly, I will say so at the consultation and talk through the alternatives. Most patients see the fullest result at around twelve weeks, once the new collagen has formed.
Sofwave costs vary depending on your treatment area. We charge the following for Sofwave on Harley Street: Eye lift/jowl lift £999, full face £1999, full face and neck £2999. The exact cost depends on the area treated and is confirmed at your consultation. Current pricing is listed on the Sofwave treatment page.
Sofwave delivers ultrasound energy to the middle layer of the skin, where gentle heat prompts your body to make new collagen and elastin. Over the following weeks this firms and lifts mild to moderate laxity. It does not remove or damage the surface of the skin, which is why there is no downtime.
Most patients describe Sofwave as warm with brief moments of heat rather than painful. The handpiece has built-in cooling to keep the surface comfortable, and numbing is not usually needed. If you are sensitive, mention it at the consultation so the team can adjust your comfort during the session.
Sofwave results typically last between twelve and eighteen months. Because the treatment relies on your own collagen, longevity varies with age, skin quality and lifestyle. Many patients have a single maintenance session each year to keep the effect.
Some tightening can be felt early, but Sofwave results build gradually as new collagen forms, with most patients seeing the fullest effect at around twelve weeks. This is normal and expected; it is not a same-day treatment.
Sofwave is a well-established, regulated ultrasound treatment, and at L’Atelier Aesthetics every plan begins with a consultation and skin assessment by Dr Brennand (GMC 4341662). The built-in cooling protects the surface of the skin, and side effects are usually limited to short-lived redness. Suitability is confirmed before treatment.
Sofwave firms and lifts the skin by using ultrasound to prompt new collagen, with results that build over about twelve weeks and last up to eighteen months. The clearest next step is to read the full Sofwave treatment page at L’Atelier Aesthetics, where you can also book an assessment to confirm your skin is suited to it. You can also visit our Youtube Channel which provides more information from Dr Brennand.
We welcome patients from across Marylebone, Mayfair, Fitzrovia, Regent’s Park, Soho, Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Chelsea and Kensington, as well as visitors travelling to London for specialist aesthetic and skin treatments. Our location benefits from excellent transport links, with Oxford Circus only a 13 minute walk away, Bond Street and Regent’s Park Underground stations are also both within easy reach. The clinic is also conveniently accessible from major London rail stations and Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports thanks to the Elizabeth line, making visits straightforward for both UK and international patients.
Whether you are travelling from within London or further afield, our Harley Street clinic provides a calm, professional environment for personalised aesthetic and skin health treatments in one of the capital’s most respected medical locations.
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