Sofwave™ Non-Invasive Skin Tightening
Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery is proud to offer Sofwave™, a breakthrough ultrasound treatment that lifts and tightens skin on the face, neck, and body without surgery or needles. Using advanced ultrasound technology, Sofwave stimulates your body’s natural collagen and elastin production for firmer, more youthful-looking skin, with results you can see in as little as one treatment.
Whether you’re noticing early signs of aging or want to maintain results from previous treatments, Sofwave delivers natural-looking improvements that fit seamlessly into your busy lifestyle.
What is Sofwave?
Sofwave is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment that uses proprietary Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam (SUPERB™) technology to revitalize aging skin. The device delivers precise ultrasound energy to a depth of 1.5mm in the mid-dermis—exactly where collagen production occurs—without damaging the skin’s surface.
An integrated cooling system with real-time skin temperature monitoring makes Sofwave one of the most comfortable, safest non-surgical lifting treatments available.
This targeted approach triggers your body’s natural healing response, called neocollagenesis, which stimulates new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production for firmer, smoother, more lifted skin that continues to improve over the weeks and months following treatment.
Unlike older technologies that can cause discomfort or require significant downtime, Sofwave features an integrated cooling system (Sofcool™) that protects your skin’s surface throughout treatment, making it one of the most comfortable non-invasive lifting treatments available today.
Dr. R. Brannon Claytor
Dr. Claytor is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds over 20 years of experience as a cosmetic plastic surgeon. An innovator and teacher in the field of plastic surgery, he uses advanced techniques like the drain-free tummy tuck and deep plane facelift to streamline recovery and provide natural-looking, durable results.
Treatment Areas
Sofwave’s multiple ultrasound beam technology provides exceptional coverage with each pulse, effectively addressing concerns across the face, neck, and body:
Face & Neck
- Fine lines and wrinkles – Smooth forehead lines, crow’s feet, and facial creases
- Eyebrow lifting – Achieve a natural brow lift without surgery
- Neck tissue lifting – Tighten loose skin and reduce the appearance of “tech neck”
- Submental area (under chin) – Address double chin and jawline laxity
- Acne scars – Improve the appearance of acne scarring
Body
- Upper arm skin laxity – Tighten loose skin on the arms
- Cellulite – FDA-cleared for short-term improvement in the appearance of cellulite (December 2022)
Why choose Dr. Claytor for your plastic surgeon?
Double Board-Certified for a high level of safety and precision
Chief of Plastic Surgery at Main Line Health, a top health system
Board Member of The Aesthetic Society, shaping the future of aesthetics
10x Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctor for exceptional patient care
Recognized as one of America’s Best Plastic Surgeons by Newsweek
Drain-free recovery expert for faster, more comfortable healing
Deep plane facelift innovator and global educator
Active researcher in surgical and non-surgical aesthetic advancements
Highly regarded for his surgical expertise and outcomes, as well as his dedicated follow-up care
How Sofwave Works
Sofwave uses proprietary SUPERB™ (Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam) technology to deliver ultrasound energy precisely to a depth of 1.5mm in the mid-dermis—the layer of skin responsible for collagen and elastin production.
Step 1: Targeted Energy Delivery
Multiple ultrasound beams generate controlled heat at the exact depth needed in the mid-dermis, creating fractional heating zones that stimulate collagen production. This precise delivery bypasses the outer layer of skin entirely.
Step 2: Surface Protection
Sofwave’s integrated Sofcool™ technology simultaneously cools and protects the outer layer of skin with real-time temperature monitoring, preventing burns and ensuring exceptional safety and comfort throughout treatment.
Step 3: Natural Healing Response
The controlled thermal zones trigger your body’s natural wound-healing response, called neocollagenesis. This stimulates the production of new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid—the three essential building blocks of youthful, firm skin.
Step 4: Gradual Improvement
Over the following weeks and months, new collagen forms and existing collagen fibers contract, resulting in visibly tighter, smoother, more lifted skin.
What to Expect From Sofwave Treatment
Consultation
Your journey begins with a personalized consultation with Dr. Claytor or a member of our experienced medical aesthetic team. We’ll assess your skin, discuss your concerns and goals, and determine if Sofwave is the right treatment for you.
Before Treatment
There’s minimal preparation required. Simply arrive with clean skin—no makeup, lotions, or SPF. If you’re particularly sensitive, we may apply a topical numbing cream before treatment begins for added comfort.
During Treatment
You’ll relax comfortably while your provider glides the Sofwave handpiece across the treatment area. Most patients describe the sensation as a warming feeling with brief moments of heat. The integrated cooling system keeps the experience comfortable throughout. A full face and neck treatment typically takes just 30-45 minutes—making it an ideal “lunchtime procedure.”
After Treatment
There’s no downtime required, and you can resume daily care immediately post-treatment. You may experience mild redness or limited swelling immediately after, but this typically subsides within a few hours. You can apply makeup and return to your normal activities right away—no interruption to your daily routine.
Results & Timeline
Sofwave results develop gradually as your body produces new collagen through the natural neocollagenesis process:
- 1 Week: Some patients notice subtle tightening and a “glow” within the first week
- 4-6 Weeks: Early visible changes begin—slightly firmer cheeks or smoother lines
- 12 Weeks: Peak improvement typically occurs around three months as new collagen matures
- 6+ Months: Continued improvement as collagen remodeling progresses
How Long Do Results Last?
Clinical studies show significant effects lasting up to one year or longer following a single treatment. Many patients maintain their results for 12-18 months. To sustain your refreshed appearance, we recommend annual maintenance treatments.
How Many Treatments Do I Need?
Most patients achieve noticeable results from a single Sofwave treatment. However, those with more advanced skin laxity or who desire more dramatic results may benefit from a series of 1-2 treatments spaced several weeks apart, depending on your skin condition.
Ideal Candidates
Sofwave is an excellent choice for adults who:
- Are in their mid-30s or older experiencing mild to moderate skin laxity
- Notice fine lines, wrinkles, or loss of firmness in the face or neck
- Want to address early signs of aging before they become more pronounced
- Prefer non-surgical alternatives to facelift surgery
- Have realistic expectations for gradual, natural-looking improvement
- Want to maintain or enhance results from previous surgical procedures
- Have darker skin tones that may not be candidates for certain laser treatments
Sofwave is not recommended for those who:
- Have open wounds or active acne in the treatment area
- Have a pacemaker or electronic implants in the treatment area
- Are pregnant, nursing, or have given birth within the past three months
- Have severe skin laxity that would be better addressed surgically
During your consultation, we’ll discuss your medical history and determine if Sofwave is appropriate for your individual needs.
- Sofwave Benefits
- Glossary
- Non-Invasive & Needle-Free: No incisions, no injections, no anesthesia required. Sofwave works entirely from outside your skin.
- Minimal to No Downtime: Return to your normal activities immediately after treatment. Apply makeup, exercise, or head back to work—there’s no recovery period required.
- Quick Treatment Sessions: A full face and neck treatment takes just 30-45 minutes, making Sofwave the ideal “lunchtime procedure” for busy professionals.
- Safe for All Skin Types: Unlike some laser treatments, Sofwave is safe and effective for all skin tones and colors, including darker skin types that may be more vulnerable to burns with other technologies.
- Year-Round Treatment: No sun sensitivity means you can receive Sofwave treatments any time of year without concern for seasonal restrictions.
- Natural-Looking Results: Because Sofwave works by stimulating your body’s own collagen production, results develop gradually and look completely natural—never “overdone.”
Acne scars: Textural irregularities and indentations left on the skin after acne lesions have healed, which can be improved through collagen-stimulating treatments.
Collagen: A structural protein found naturally in the skin that provides firmness, strength, and support, but decreases with age leading to wrinkles and sagging.
Dermal fillers: Injectable substances such as hyaluronic acid that restore lost volume, smooth wrinkles, and enhance facial contours.
Dermis: The middle layer of skin located beneath the epidermis where collagen, elastin, and blood vessels reside, and where many skin tightening treatments target their energy.
Elastin: A protein in the skin that allows tissue to stretch and return to its original shape, contributing to skin’s youthful bounce and resilience.
Epidermis: The outermost protective layer of skin that serves as a barrier against environmental factors.
FDA-cleared: A regulatory designation indicating that a medical device has been reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and determined to be safe and effective for its intended use.
Hyaluronic acid: A naturally occurring substance in the skin that attracts and retains moisture, helping to keep skin plump, hydrated, and youthful in appearance.
Jowls: Sagging skin along the lower jawline that develops with age as facial fat descends and skin loses elasticity.
Laxity: The looseness or sagging of skin that occurs when collagen and elastin fibers weaken over time.
Mid-dermis: The middle portion of the dermis layer where collagen production is most active and where Sofwave delivers its ultrasound energy for optimal results.
Microneedling: A minimally invasive treatment that uses tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating the body’s natural healing response and collagen production.
Neocollagenesis: The biological process by which the body generates new collagen fibers in response to controlled injury or thermal stimulation.
Neuromodulators: Injectable treatments such as Dysport and Daxxify that temporarily relax facial muscles to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles caused by repetitive expressions.
Non-invasive: A treatment approach that does not require incisions, needles, or penetration of the skin, allowing procedures to be performed without surgery or significant recovery time.
Radiofrequency: A type of energy that uses electromagnetic waves to heat tissue and stimulate collagen production, commonly used in skin tightening devices.
Skin laxity: The loss of firmness and tightness in the skin, often appearing as sagging, drooping, or loose skin on the face, neck, or body.
Skin rejuvenation: A category of treatments designed to restore a more youthful appearance by improving skin texture, tone, firmness, and overall quality.
Skin tightening: Treatments that firm and lift loose or sagging skin by stimulating collagen production or contracting existing collagen fibers.
Submental area: The region located directly beneath the chin, commonly affected by fat accumulation or loose skin often referred to as a “double chin.”
SUPERB technology: Sofwave’s proprietary Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam system that delivers precise ultrasound energy to the mid-dermis for collagen stimulation.
Thermal injury: Controlled heat-induced damage to tissue that triggers the body’s natural healing response and stimulates new collagen formation.
Ultrasound energy: Sound waves at frequencies above human hearing that can penetrate tissue and generate heat at specific depths, used in aesthetic treatments to stimulate collagen production.
Sofwave vs. Other Procedures
Why Sofwave is Better Than Other Technologies
Today there are various energy-based technologies designed to treat facial lines and wrinkles. Aggressive options (such as lasers) can cause significant damage to the skin surface, leading to long healing periods, considerable downtime, and may have a high risk of side effects. Even RF microneedling treatments that have recently become popular can be uncomfortable, risky, and require downtime.
Gentler, non-invasive solutions (such as IPL and noninvasive RF) have shown limited efficacy and, in most cases, require multiple treatments.
Sofwave’s unique technology enables controlled delivery of energy—in terms of amount and location—while protecting the skin surface with an integrated cooling mechanism. Even better, there is no downtime.
Sofwave vs. Morpheus8
Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy and requires some downtime for healing. Sofwave is completely non-invasive with no needles and zero downtime. Both effectively stimulate collagen, but Sofwave may be preferred by patients who want to avoid any recovery period.
Sofwave vs. Facelift
A surgical facelift provides more dramatic, longer-lasting results for significant skin laxity. Sofwave is ideal for those with mild to moderate laxity who aren’t ready for surgery, want to postpone surgery, or wish to maintain results after a facelift.
If you are on the fence about a facelift, consider meeting with Dr. Claytor, who offer both surgical and non-surgical options and is a leading expert in the natural-looking deep plane facelift technique. Learn more about Dr. Claytor’s proprietary facelift technique & view before and afters »
Combination Treatments
Sofwave works beautifully as part of a comprehensive rejuvenation plan. Dr. Claytor may recommend combining Sofwave with:
- Dermal fillers (Sculptra®, Juvéderm®, RHA Fillers®, Restylane®) to restore volume
- Neuromodulators (Dysport®, Daxxify®, Botox®) to address dynamic wrinkles
- Medical-grade skincare to optimize and maintain results
If you’ve had previous surgical procedures, Sofwave could be an excellent option to enhance and prolong your outcomes by promoting younger-looking skin texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule Your Consultation
To learn more about Sofwave non-surgical skin tightening, schedule a consultation at our Bryn Mawr office, conveniently located for patients throughout Philadelphia and the Main Line suburbs.
During your consultation, we’ll assess your skin, discuss your aesthetic goals, and create a personalized treatment plan designed to help you achieve natural-looking, lasting results.
Areas Served:
Medically reviewed by Dr. R. Brannon Claytor — Updated on Feb 10, 2026