Sofwave firms the skin while SkinPen refines its texture. Discover who the combination may suit, how treatments are planned and reviewed, and what our October package includes.
Sofwave and SkinPen are often combined because they address two different concerns. Sofwave works deeper in the skin to improve firmness, while SkinPen microneedling works closer to the surface to refine texture, fine lines and overall skin quality. If your skin has started to soften and its texture has changed too, one treatment on its own may only address half of what you see.
At L’Atelier Aesthetics on Harley Street, we only recommend combining treatments when your assessment shows both concerns are present. This guide explains what each treatment does, who the combination may suit, where its limits lie, and how we plan and review your treatment.
Firmness and texture are separate concerns that sit at different depths in the skin, so they usually respond to different treatments.
Firmness relates to the structure of the skin. As collagen and elastin decline with age, the skin can soften along the jawline, under the chin and around the brow, and it may look less lifted than it once did.
Texture relates to the surface. Fine lines, enlarged pores, uneven tone, roughness and mild scarring all affect how smooth and even your skin looks, especially under make-up or in daylight.
A treatment that firms the skin will not necessarily refine its surface, and a treatment that improves texture will not lift softening skin. That is why some patients benefit from a plan that addresses both.
In a combined plan, Sofwave targets firmness and SkinPen targets texture, each working through the skin’s own collagen response.
Sofwave uses ultrasound energy delivered to a precise depth in the dermis to stimulate collagen. Over around 8 to 12 weeks, this can gradually firm the skin of the face and neck, with little or no downtime.
SkinPen microneedling creates tiny, controlled channels in the skin to trigger its natural repair response. This can help smooth texture, soften fine lines and improve the overall look and feel of the skin.
Used together in the right sequence, the two can complement each other: Sofwave supports the skin’s structure, and SkinPen refines its surface. Your practitioner will decide whether both are needed, and in what order, based on your assessment.
The combination may be considered for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity who are also concerned about texture, fine lines or skin quality.
Patients who tend to be considered often notice early softening of the jawline or neck alongside skin that looks less smooth or even than before. They usually want a natural-looking improvement rather than a dramatic change, and prefer treatments with little downtime.
Your consultation starts with your own goals. Dr Brennand will assess the degree of laxity, your skin quality and texture, your skin type and your medical history, and where helpful use skin imaging and clinical assessment to support decisions. If only one concern is present, we will recommend only the treatment that addresses it.
Sofwave with SkinPen may be unsuitable for some skin conditions, and insufficient where laxity is more advanced or the main concern is volume loss.
Neither treatment removes excess skin or repositions deeper tissues. Where there is significant sagging along the jawline or neck, the improvement may be subtle, and a surgical opinion on a facelift or deep plane facelift at 101 Harley Street may be more appropriate. Where hollowness or volume loss is the main concern, other treatments such as dermal fillers may be discussed instead.
Microneedling may also need to be postponed or avoided if you have active acne, a skin infection, certain inflammatory skin conditions or a tendency to raised scarring. Your practitioner will check this at consultation and tell you if the combination is not right for you.
Sofwave and SkinPen are carried out at separate appointments, with the spacing between them confirmed by your practitioner.
Treatments are not performed on the same day. Spacing them gives your skin time to settle after each one and allows your practitioner to plan each session around how your skin is responding. Your practitioner will confirm the order and the interval between appointments at your consultation, based on your skin and your goals.
Sofwave usually involves little or no downtime, with mild redness or warmth that typically settles within hours. After SkinPen, the skin often looks pink or red, similar to mild sunburn, and can take a few days to return to its usual colour. If you have an event coming up, your practitioner can plan both treatments around it.
Your practitioner will review your progress at follow-up appointments, comparing your skin with your starting point and setting realistic expectations for the weeks ahead.
Results from both treatments develop gradually as collagen builds. Sofwave results continue to develop over around 8 to 12 weeks, and the benefits of microneedling build over the weeks after each session. A review lets your practitioner check how your skin has responded and advise whether further treatment, such as completing a SkinPen course or a future Sofwave maintenance session, would be helpful.
Improvement is typically natural and gradual rather than dramatic. For more on what to expect, read Is Sofwave Really Worth It?, our Sofwave vs Ultherapy comparison, and the aftercare guidance on our microneedling page.
Throughout October 2026 , our Sofwave full face and neck treatment is £2,999 and includes a complimentary SkinPen microneedling treatment.
The package includes:
A consultation and assessment by Dr Duncan Brennand
One Sofwave full face and neck treatment
One complimentary SkinPen microneedling treatment, booked at a separate appointment
The package is subject to consultation and suitability. If SkinPen is not suitable for your skin, your practitioner will discuss the alternatives with you.
Not necessarily. Sofwave and SkinPen address different concerns, so the combination is only recommended when your assessment shows both laxity and texture concerns. If your main concern is firmness, Sofwave alone may be enough. If it is texture or fine lines, SkinPen may be the better starting point. Your practitioner will explain what your skin needs and recommend only the treatments that address it.
No. Sofwave and SkinPen are carried out at separate appointments. Spacing them gives your skin time to settle and lets your practitioner plan the second treatment around how your skin has responded. Your practitioner will confirm the order and the interval between appointments at your consultation.
Sofwave usually involves little or no downtime, with mild redness or warmth that typically settles within hours. After SkinPen, your skin is likely to look pink or red, similar to mild sunburn, and may feel tight or sensitive for a few days. Most patients return to normal activities quickly, but it is wise to avoid booking SkinPen just before an important event.
No. The complimentary SkinPen treatment is a single session. For texture, fine lines or scarring, microneedling is often recommended as a course of several sessions spaced a few weeks apart. Your practitioner will advise whether a single session is enough to complement your Sofwave treatment, or whether a full course would give you a better result.
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.
