Sofwave

In each issue, Modern Aesthetics® magazine asks top cosmetic physicians about the newest devices that they are introducing in their practices. Here, Barry DiBernardo, MD, Medical Director of New Jersey Plastic Surgery in Montclair, NJ and Associate Clinical Professor in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery at UMDNJ in Newark, NJ, discusses Sofwave, a next-generation ultrasound technology that is FDA cleared for treating facial lines and wrinkles.

What is Sofwave and how are you using it in practice?

Barry DiBernardo, MD: Sofwave delivers Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam Technology SUPERB™ technology to reduce wrinkles. It works by boosting collagen and elastin under the skin’s surface. We use it primarily for patients who are old enough to have laxity in their skin, but too young to need surgery. We usually recommend one or two treatments spaced one month apart, depending on the amount of laxity.

How is Sofwave different than HIFU or older ultrasound-based devices?

Dr. DiBernardo: Older ultrasound devices have one transducer, whereas this is setting off seven at a time so we can treat larger areas in less time. Sofwave treatment time for a full-face and neck treatment is 30 to 45 minutes. It also has an internal cooling device that makes the treatment a whole lot more comfortable for the patient than older ultrasound-based devices. Sofwave generates heat at precisely 1.5mm under the skin, which is the sweet spot for treating wrinkles and stimulating neocollagenesis and neoelastinogenesis. Sofwave is faster, more comfortable, and our cost is less per click, which we can pass on to the patients.

Are your patients satisfied with the results?

Dr. DiBernardo: Patients are happy. We are getting good feedback. The procedure is well-tolerated and fairly comfortable for patients. Most patients can go up to a 5, the maximum intensity, with just a light layer of numbing cream. There is no downtime whatsoever and no risk of burning. Plus, we can treat all skin types with Sofwave.

Do you combine Sofwave with other minimally invasive treatments?

Dr. DiBernardo: We put all patients on the UnderSkin line of topical products that penetrate the cells so they will function like they are younger. The other complementary procedures would be toxins or fillers for volume. If they have red blood vessels, we may also use Sciton’s BBL so we get color and tightness together.

How are you marketing Sofwave?

Dr. DiBernardo: We are developing a new website and new messaging for Sofwave, but for now we are focusing on internal marketing. Most people who walk in the door need this and will say “I want to make my skin tighter. What do you have?” They know we always have something new. Sofwave’s growing popularity is helping to make patients aware. Sofwave basically markets itself to our current patients. I understand that the company plans on accelerating their marketing efforts to consumers soon, which will help even more.