There comes a time when fine lines and wrinkles seem a bit more noticeable, and you're wondering what you can do to minimize their appearance. These are expected signs of aging, because as we get older, collagen levels decline, and that's when skin starts taking on a wrinkled or sagging appearance, or maybe a hollowing in and around the eyes. This can also occur if you've experienced rapid weight loss with GLP-1 medications or other methods.
Whatever the reason, now might be the time that you decide to consider an aesthetic treatment—and if so, your timing is good. That's because the Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment called Sofwave for treating things like:
- reducing fine lines and wrinkles
- lifting the eyebrows, lax skin under the chin and along the jawline, and neck tissue
- reducing the appearance of cellulite short-term
- treating acne scars
- lifting lax skin on the upper arms
The non-invasive ultrasound device uses the company's proprietary SUPERBTM Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam Technology to send energy pulses through the skin’s surface and heat the tissue below. This triggers a healing response that increases collagen and elastin fibers, which are the keys to youthful-looking skin.
"Sofwave is great for the person who's seeing some skin laxity, usually from aging or weight loss, but they're not ready for a facelift or a brow lift," Paul Nassif, M.D., a Beverly Hills, California-based facial plastic surgeon, told Harper's Bazaar. "Another big advantage here is that if you've already had a procedure like a facelift, this can help lengthen the time frame for those results. It also works for all skin types, another big plus, and can be done from your 20s on up."
One more major benefit: results after fewer treatments. Dr. Nassif says that one treatment every couple of months, for a total of two, can be helpful for those who have deeper wrinkles or more skin laxity—but that most people see long-lasting results from just one 30-to-40-minute treatment. Each has minimal downtime and is comfortable, since topical anesthetic is used. From there, you may need only an annual maintenance treatment to continue stimulating collagen production.
"I'm always going to recommend this," says Dr. Nassif. "I'm very enthusiastic about Sofwave and what it can do."
A Boon for the Body, Too
Skin laxity and sagging don't just happen in the face, as we all know. Particularly if you've recently lost weight in a short amount of time, it can be frustrating to see loose skin, even when it represents moving closer to your body-composition goals. There is a different but equally innovative technology to help with this, as well.
Called Pure Impact, the FDA-approved device is a whole-body muscle stimulator that emulates the type of explosive muscle movement that makes high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts so effective. Also non-invasive, the approach uses 16 electrodes, strategically placed in body areas like the lower abdomen, hips, and thighs. As electrode pairs are activated, they stimulate muscle improving strength and tone. When used with Sofwave, skin can be revitalized at the same time.
"Many times, we see that someone might be going a bit too fast in their weight loss, and that can lead to losing muscle mass, which then results in saggy skin," says Dr. Nassif. "With Pure Impact, it's like doing plyometric exercise where you're working multiple muscle groups at once. It's similar to doing jump squats, except without the effort."
The overall result is better muscle tone, as well as improved muscle growth and endurance, he adds—which makes Pure Impact an excellent complement to regular exercise, though not a replacement for it. "I've always been a big fan of electrical muscle stimulation as an addition to working out," Dr. Nassif notes. "Pure Impact is an innovative approach, and I'm seeing very good patient reactions as well."
Like Sofwave for the face and neck, this treatment involves little downtime. The number of sessions will depend on each patient, but Dr. Nassif says many people find the greatest benefits with four to six treatments performed biweekly.
Although they use different methods, Sofwave and Pure Impact both deliver results for improved appearance of the face and body, and can deepen the benefits of a hydrating skincare regimen and consistent exercise routine. Think of them as complementary approaches to what you may be already doing that can help you look and feel more youthful.
