Sofwave in Seoul is a focused ultrasound treatment that heats the mid-dermis at about 1.5 mm with seven parallel beams, aiming to firm mildly lax skin and soften fine lines without needles or incisions. An appointment in the city typically runs 60 to 90 minutes, of which numbing cream takes 20 to 30 and the face itself 30 to 45. Expect pink, warm skin for a few hours; boarding a plane the next day is usually fine. Early firmness may appear within weeks, with the fuller change around three months. Clinics charge by the number of shots per area, and this page lists clinics and current prices for comparison.
Sofwave Medical · SofwaveIs it for you?
Who Sofwave in Korea suits, and who should wait
The treatment fits adults whose skin has begun to loosen and crease but still has reasonable support underneath. Typical requests are a softer forehead, a crisper jaw edge, smoother cheeks or a firmer neck, from people who want to keep sightseeing or working the next day.
It is not a substitute for surgery and will not lift heavy jowls, remove a double chin made of fat or fill hollow temples. Skin that is inflamed, infected or recently resurfaced should heal first. When the main concern sits deeper than the dermis, a doctor may suggest a different device, filler or a surgical opinion.
Usually a good fit
- Early laxity along the jaw or neck
- Fine lines and crepey texture on the face
- Wants little visible downtime during a trip
- Prefers a shallower, dermis-only energy plan
May be better to wait
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Active acne, infection or wounds on the area
- Metal implants or devices in the treatment zone
- Heavy sagging better suited to surgery
Clinics in Korea
2 clinics for Sofwave in Korea
Every clinic below lists Sofwave among its treatments. Message a clinic directly.
1RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam
2How it works
How a Sofwave session runs
Sofwave is built by Sofwave Medical and belongs to the HIFU family, meaning its energy is focused ultrasound. Its SUPERB applicator differs from point-focused devices: seven synchronized transducers send parallel beams that create cylinder-shaped heated zones in the mid-dermis at 1.5 mm, while a contact cooling plate keeps the epidermis protected. The heat contracts existing collagen and starts a slower phase of new collagen and elastin formation.
Plainly stated, none of the papers cited on this page tested Sofwave. All three examined point-focused ultrasound, so they show how ultrasound heat changes facial skin in general. Researchers in Seoul, Suh and colleagues, reported in Dermatologic Surgery in 2011 that 22 Korean patients improved in nasolabial folds and jawline after one session, and that biopsies from 11 of them showed thicker dermal collagen at two months. In the same journal in 2012, Lee and colleagues found that blinded raters judged 8 of 10 women improved 90 days after multiple passes over the lower face and neck. Amiri and colleagues pooled 42 studies of microfocused ultrasound with visualization in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal in 2024 and described side effects that were generally mild to moderate.
Dose is expressed in shots, one shot being a single pulse of the seven-beam applicator. The doctor decides how many shots each zone receives and how many passes overlap, and that total sets the quote. A forehead-and-eyes plan uses far fewer shots than full face with neck, so compare plans by shots per area rather than by a single headline figure.
Consultation and mapping
About 10 to 15 minutes. The doctor checks skin thickness, laxity and medical history, then marks treatment zones and writes the shot plan.
Cleansing and numbing
Makeup is removed and a topical anesthetic cream is left on for 20 to 30 minutes, then wiped off completely.
Gel and treatment passes
A thin layer of ultrasound gel goes on and the applicator is placed flat on each zone, one pulse at a time. Full face usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Cooling and soothing
A calming mask or cool compress is applied for 10 to 15 minutes. Sunscreen goes on before you leave.
Sofwave compared with other options
| Point | Sofwave | Ultherapy (Ultherapy Prime) | Thermage FLX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy class | Focused ultrasound (HIFU) | Focused ultrasound (HIFU) | Radiofrequency |
| Depth | Fixed 1.5 mm, mid-dermis | 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm transducers | Dermis and upper fat, no fixed focus |
| Main target | Dermal texture and mild laxity | Deeper lift including fascia | Broad tightening |
| Sensation | Short heat bursts, cooled | Deeper ache over bone | Pulses of heat with vibration |
| Typical downtime | Pinkness for hours | Tenderness for several days | Redness for hours |
At a glance
Sofwave facts
| Device and maker | Sofwave, Sofwave Medical |
|---|---|
| Energy type | Focused ultrasound (HIFU), SUPERB parallel-beam delivery |
| Depth | Mid-dermis at 1.5 mm, cylindrical heat zones |
| Dose unit | Shots per treated area |
| Numbing | Topical cream, 20 to 30 minutes |
| Session length | 30 to 45 minutes for full face |
| Downtime | Pinkness and warmth for a few hours |
| Usual sessions | One, reviewed after about a year |
| Earliest flight home | Usually the following day |
Recovery
What the days after look like
Warm, pink skin and slight puffiness. Cleanse gently, moisturize and avoid saunas, hot baths and hard exercise.
Most redness is gone. Mild tenderness over the jaw or brow can linger; makeup and walking tours are normally fine.
Collagen remodeling begins and skin may feel smoother and slightly firmer.
The change typically reaches its peak. Results vary from person to person.
Safety
Sofwave risks and limits
- Redness, warmth and mild swelling for a few hours are common
- Tenderness or tingling over bone may last a few days
- Small bruises or raised welts occasionally appear and fade
- Rare surface burns, blistering or prolonged numbness need prompt review
- Dermal heating will not correct deep folds or heavy sagging
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization (MFU-V) Effectiveness and Safety: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAesthetic Surgery Journal · 2024 · Amiri M, Ajasllari G, Llane A, Casabona G, Pavicic T, Sevi J, et al. · doi:10.1093/asj/sjae228
A meta-analysis of 42 studies on point-focused ultrasound with visualization reporting investigator-assessed improvement in most patients, a moderate pooled pain score and mostly mild to moderate adverse events; Sofwave itself was not included.
- Intense Focused Ultrasound Tightening in Asian Skin: Clinical and Pathologic ResultsDermatologic Surgery · 2011 · Suh D, Shin M, Lee S, Rho J, Lee M, Kim N, et al. · doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.02094.x
Twenty-two Korean patients showed better nasolabial folds and jawlines after a single intense focused ultrasound session, and biopsies at two months showed more dermal collagen; this was not a Sofwave trial.
- Multiple Pass Ultrasound Tightening of Skin Laxity of the Lower Face and NeckDermatologic Surgery · 2012 · Lee H, Jang W, Cha Y, Choi Y, Tak Y, Hwang E, et al. · doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.02158.x
Using 4.5 mm and then 3.0 mm probes over the lower face and neck, blinded clinicians rated 8 of 10 women improved at day 90; the device differs from Sofwave.
FAQ
Questions about Sofwave in Korea
How long does a Sofwave appointment in Seoul take from arrival to exit?
Plan on 60 to 90 minutes for a full-face appointment. Consultation and marking take about 10 to 15 minutes, numbing cream another 20 to 30, the treatment passes 30 to 45, and a soothing mask closes the visit. Adding the neck lengthens the treatment part. If the clinic is busy, waiting time can add more, so leave a buffer before any dinner reservation or tour.
Does it hurt more on the forehead or along the jaw?
Sensation is usually strongest where bone lies just under thin skin, such as the forehead, temples and jawline. Patients describe brief hot, prickling bursts that stop as each pulse ends, and the cooled applicator takes the edge off. Cheeks tend to feel milder. If a zone feels too intense, the treating doctor can pause, slow the pace or adjust the energy.
Is a single session enough?
Many people have one session and judge the result at about three months. Doctors sometimes suggest a second session for more noticeable laxity, or a review roughly a year later as skin keeps aging. The point-focused study by Lee and colleagues in Dermatologic Surgery in 2012 used multiple passes in one sitting rather than repeated visits. Ask the doctor what a realistic plan looks like for your skin before committing to extra sessions.
Why would a doctor choose Sofwave rather than a deeper HIFU cartridge?
The choice usually depends on which layer the problem sits in. Sofwave works only at 1.5 mm in the dermis, so it suits texture, fine lines and early laxity with a light recovery. Point-focused devices with 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm cartridges reach deeper tissue and are used when lifting the lower face is the main goal. Some plans combine both approaches on different visits.
Is it suitable for thinner or Asian skin types?
Ultrasound energy passes through the epidermis with cooling, so pigment-related burns are less of a concern than with some lasers. Evidence from Korean patients comes from point-focused devices: Suh and colleagues reported in Dermatologic Surgery in 2011 that 22 Korean patients improved after one session. Thin skin may need lower energy or fewer passes. Mention any history of melasma or post-inflammatory darkening at the consultation.
Can I wear makeup and sunscreen the next morning?
Sunscreen can usually be applied right after the session, and light makeup the next morning once redness has settled. Skip retinoids, exfoliating acids and scrubs for a few days, because heated skin can sting. Use a gentle cleanser and a plain moisturizer. If small welts or tender spots remain, leave makeup off those areas until they calm down, usually within a day or two, and keep a hat handy for bright afternoons.
Do previous fillers or a thread lift rule the treatment out?
Not always, but timing and location matter. Many doctors prefer to wait several weeks after filler or threads, and some avoid treating directly over a recent product. Bring the dates, product types and areas of earlier procedures to the consultation. The doctor can then adjust the zones or the order of treatments within your stay, and explain how long to wait if a product was placed only recently.
What should I bring to the consultation?
Bring a list of current medicines and supplements, any allergies, and the dates of recent aesthetic procedures. Photos of your face from a few years ago can help explain what you want to change. Have your travel dates ready so the doctor can plan around your flight. Ask for the shot plan per area and the aftercare instructions in writing.
Which warning signs mean I should contact the clinic?
Contact the clinic quickly if you notice blistering, an open sore, a firm painful lump, a spreading dark or white patch, or numbness that lasts beyond a few days. These are uncommon but need early care. Take clear photos in daylight and send them with the date of treatment. Keep the clinic's contact details with you until you are back home.
Can the neck and chest be treated as well?
The neck is a common add-on, since the skin there loosens and creases early, and some clinics also treat the upper chest. These zones need more shots, so the session is longer. The doctor will avoid the thyroid region and adjust the plan to skin thickness. Ask for the shots per zone in writing so the plan is easy to compare.