Sofwave in Korea is a non-invasive skin tightening treatment that uses seven parallel ultrasound beams to heat the dermis at about 1.5 mm, prompting the skin to rebuild collagen over the following months. After optional numbing cream, the full face takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes, and the surface is cooled with every pulse. Redness usually settles within hours, so flying home the next day is realistic. Firmer texture and softer fine lines develop over about three months. Korean clinics price it by shot count, and this page lists clinics and current packages so you can compare them.
Sofwave Medical · SofwaveIs it for you?
Who Sofwave in Gangnam suits, and who should wait
The treatment fits adults with early loss of firmness: fine lines around the eyes and mouth, crepey cheek skin, a jaw edge that has started to blur, or skin that feels thinner after weight loss. Because the heat stays in the dermis, the change is about tighter, smoother skin rather than lifting deep tissue, which makes it a sensible first step for people in their thirties to fifties.
It will not reverse heavy jowls, skin that hangs in folds or hollows caused by lost fat and bone. It also does nothing for pigment, broken vessels or acne scars. People with those goals usually need surgery, filler, lasers or a combined plan, and a sound consultation will point that out before suggesting a shot count.
Usually a good fit
- Early laxity on cheeks, jaw or neck
- Fine lines and crepey texture around the eyes
- Wants no incisions and minimal recovery
- Short stay with a flight soon after
May be better to wait
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active acne, infection or open wounds on the area
- Metal or electronic implants in the treated zone
- Severe sagging that needs a surgical lift
Clinics in Gangnam
10 clinics for Sofwave in Gangnam
Every clinic below lists Sofwave among its treatments. Message a clinic directly.
1RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam
2Dr. Newcell Clinic Gangnam
3Lifton Dermatology Clinic
4
5
6
7
8NAYA Clinic
9Gold J Clinic
10Sia Clinic Gangnam
How it works
How a Sofwave session runs
Sofwave is made by Sofwave Medical, and its energy is ultrasound, the same class as other HIFU devices. The difference lies in the beam. Instead of converging energy to a cone-shaped focal point, its SUPERB applicator synchronizes seven parallel beams that heat a cylindrical zone of mid-dermis about 1.5 mm deep. An integrated cooling plate protects the surface while the heated collagen contracts and then remodels.
Research on Sofwave itself is still limited, so evidence on ultrasound tightening comes mostly from point-focused devices. Writing in Dermatologic Surgery in 2014, Fabi reviewed microfocused ultrasound with visualization and described consistent tightening and lifting with an acceptable safety profile. A 2017 prospective study in Asian patients by Lu and colleagues in the same journal treated 25 people with 800 lines and recorded a significant reduction in wrinkle scores at 90 days, plus a small mean brow lift of 0.47 mm.
Clinics in Seoul set the dose by shots, each one a single pulse of the seven-beam applicator. The total number of shots and how they are split between zones determines both the effect and the price unit, so ask for the plan in writing.
Assessment
The doctor checks skin thickness, laxity and recent treatments, takes photos and marks the zones. This takes about 10 to 15 minutes and is when you agree on the shot plan.
Numbing
Many clinics apply topical anesthetic cream for 20 to 30 minutes. Some people with low sensitivity skip it because the applicator cools the skin.
Treatment
Gel is applied and the applicator is placed in overlapping rows across each zone. Full-face work usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, with warm, quick pulses.
Soothing
The gel is removed and a calming mask or cool pack may be used for about 10 minutes. Sunscreen goes on before you leave.
Sofwave compared with other options
| Point | Sofwave | Ultherapy | Thermage FLX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy type | Parallel-beam ultrasound | Point-focused ultrasound | Monopolar radiofrequency |
| Working depth | About 1.5 mm in the dermis | Up to 4.5 mm, reaching SMAS | Diffuse dermal heating |
| Main effect | Texture, fine lines, mild tightening | Contour lift along jaw and brow | Overall firmness |
| Sensation | Warm pulses with cooling | Deep heat near bone | Heat bursts with vibration |
| Downtime | Redness for hours | Minimal, some tenderness | Minimal |
At a glance
Sofwave facts
| Device and maker | Sofwave, Sofwave Medical |
|---|---|
| Energy type | Focused ultrasound, seven synchronized parallel beams |
| Depth | About 1.5 mm, mid-dermis |
| Dose unit | Shots per zone |
| Numbing | Optional topical cream, 20 to 30 minutes |
| Session length | About 30 to 45 minutes for the full face |
| Downtime | Redness and warmth for a few hours |
| Usual sessions | One, with maintenance discussed after a year |
| Earliest flight home | Same day or next day |
Recovery
What the days after look like
Pink, warm skin and slight puffiness that fade within a few hours.
Mild tenderness on touch is possible; makeup and normal skincare are fine.
Skin may feel a little firmer as early contraction settles.
Collagen remodeling shows as smoother texture and softer lines; compare photos now.
Safety
Sofwave risks and limits
- Redness, warmth and mild swelling are common and short-lived.
- Tenderness or faint grid marks may last a day or two.
- Bruising, small blisters or temporary numbness are uncommon.
- Superficial burns are rare and linked to poor applicator contact.
- Changes are gradual and modest; deep sagging is beyond its reach.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound for treating upper and lower eyelid saggingJPRAS Open · 2026 · Hwang Y, Kim J, Lee H, Jie I, Song J, Jalali A, et al. · doi:10.1016/j.jpra.2025.10.036
A cohort study reporting improvement in upper and lower eyelid sagging after high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment.
- Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization for Skin Tightening and LiftingDermatologic Surgery · 2014 · Fabi S · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000000233
A review of microfocused ultrasound with visualization describing its mechanism, tightening and lifting outcomes, and safety.
- Quantitative Analysis of Face and Neck Skin Tightening by Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization in AsiansDermatologic Surgery · 2017 · Lu P, Yang C, Chang Y · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000001181
In 25 Asian patients treated with 800 lines, wrinkle scores fell significantly at 90 days and the brow rose by a mean of 0.47 mm.
FAQ
Questions about Sofwave in Gangnam
Is Sofwave available in Seoul for short-stay visitors?
Yes, Sofwave in Seoul is commonly booked by visitors on trips of only a few days. Because the treatment leaves no wound, consultation and treatment can often happen on the same visit. Arrive without sunburn, recent peels or fresh filler in the area, since these can delay treatment. Send recent photos and your travel dates ahead so the clinic can confirm timing.
What does a Sofwave pulse feel like?
Each pulse feels like a short burst of heat with a light prickle, strongest over the jawline and forehead. The built-in cooling makes it more tolerable than many people expect, and numbing cream lowers the sensation further. Discomfort stops as soon as the pulse ends. Let the doctor know if any area feels too intense, as the plan can be adjusted.
Can Sofwave treat the area around the eyes?
It is often used on the skin around the eyes and brow, since the shallow beam suits thin skin. A 2026 cohort study in JPRAS Open by Hwang and colleagues reported improvement in upper and lower eyelid sagging after focused ultrasound, though not with this exact device. The eye itself is protected and pulses stay on the bony rim. Ask how the clinic treats this zone.
How many Sofwave sessions do I need?
Most people have a single session and judge the outcome at about three months. Those with thicker skin or more laxity sometimes plan a second session a few months later. Maintenance is usually considered every 12 to 18 months. The doctor should base this on your response rather than selling a fixed series up front.
Is Sofwave suitable for Asian skin?
Yes, ultrasound energy is not absorbed by pigment, so the risk of darkening is low across skin tones. Research on focused ultrasound in Asian patients, including a 2017 Dermatologic Surgery study by Lu and colleagues, reported measurable tightening with good tolerance. Sun protection after treatment still matters. Mention any history of pigment problems at the consultation.
Can I fly the day after Sofwave?
Yes, flying the next day is generally fine because there is no wound or dressing. Dry cabin air can leave treated skin feeling tight, so moisturize well and drink water on the flight. Some people fly home the same evening once redness has faded. Avoid long sun exposure on beach stopovers for a few days.
What should I avoid after the treatment?
For two or three days, skip saunas, hot baths, intense exercise and heavy alcohol, which can prolong redness. Retinoids, acids and scrubs are usually paused for several days. Gentle cleanser, moisturizer and daily sunscreen are enough. Contact the clinic promptly if you notice blistering, worsening pain or swelling after the first day.
Can Sofwave be done with Botox or skin boosters?
Often yes, and these are commonly booked during the same visit. The ultrasound is usually done first, with toxin or skin booster injections afterward. Filler is generally placed after or on a later day so the heat does not affect the product. Ask the doctor for the order and spacing of each step in writing.
Will the result look like a facelift?
No, the change is subtler: firmer, smoother skin and softer lines rather than a repositioned face. Sofwave heats the dermis, not the deeper layer that surgery lifts. Many people describe looking rested rather than different. Results vary from person to person, and those with marked sagging should discuss surgical options as well.