Dr. Jason D. Bloom is an award-winning, Ivy-League trained, double board-certified facial plastic & reconstructive surgeon.  His extensive experience and reputable training provide the foundation for his excellent technical skills and surgical aesthetic. He is dedicated to the treatment of patients with both cosmetic concerns and reconstructive problems of the head and neck. Dr. Bloom sits down with Haute Beauty, to chat about his newest treatment, a new non-invasive ultrasound device to tighten tissue, called Sofwave.

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Jason BloomHB: What is Sofwave?

This is a brand new device on the market that uses proprietary high intensity, low divergence, multiple ultrasound beam technology for non-invasive directional skin tightening & improvement in fine lines and wrinkles. We at Bloom Facial Plastic Surgery are the first office in the state of Pennsylvania to offer this device and treatment to our patients.

HB: How does Sofwave work?

The high frequency, low-divergence ultrasound device makes micro-injuries directly to the mid-dermis, which is a very important layer in creating skin tightening. There are 7 high-frequency ultrasound beams that propagate through the tissue and simultaneously create an array of volumetric cylindrical shaped (3D) thermal zones, thereby creating tissue heating and generating new collagen and then contraction of the tissue, tightening it and improving fines lines. The integrated cooling mechanism in the handpiece protects the epidermis and assists in focusing the effect in the mid-dermis.

The procedure does not require any numbing or anesthesia and it is very tolerable to the patient. The treatments take between 30-45 minutes and only some ultrasound gel is used on the skin to help with cooling and tissue contact. The device does not break the skin surface, so it is completely non-invasive and has no downtime.

HB: Who is the best candidate for this treatment?

This procedure is best for patients with moderate skin laxity, fine lines, and wrinkles. It is a beneficial procedure for those that do not have a lot of downtime and want real results in as little as a single treatment. Sofwave works well for those that want non-invasive improvement and who don’t want or are not ready for surgery.

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Jason Bloom

HB: How does Sofwave compare to others of the same nature?

Sofwave offers painless, non-invasive, skin tightening for my patients in a single treatment that my extenders can safely perform in the office. That treatment cost is doable for most patients in my practice, even if we repeated the treatment for maintenance every 8-12 months. This differs from some of the other ultrasound devices on the market which can be expensive for the patients and much more painful. Additionally, the Sofwave only targets the tissue in the mid-dermis (1.5mm) and doesn’t go deeper, unlike some of the other devices, which could potentially cause volume loss in some of the tissues.

HB: What does recovery look like?

There is no downtime or recovery because the Sofwave device is completely non-invasive. Patients can leave the office and go right back to their daily activities without anyone noticing. It is truly a “lunchtime” treatment.