Dr Andrea Hui Austin Explains: Sofwave vs Ultherapy

At Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology, one of the most common questions we hear is:

“Should I do Sofwave or Ultherapy?”

The answer is simple: It depends on your anatomy, goals, and where you’re starting.

The advantage of coming to a practice like BACD is that we offer multiple non-invasive tightening technologies, allowing us to choose the best treatment for you rather than trying to fit every patient into a single device. *Very few practices in the country offer both devices.

Both Sofwave and Ultherapy use ultrasound energy to stimulate your body’s natural collagen production, creating firmer, tighter, healthier-looking skin over time. No downtime! However, they work at different depths and achieve slightly different goals.

SOFWAVE: IMPROVE YOUR ARCHITECTURE

Think of Sofwave as an investment in your skin’s foundation.

Sofwave delivers ultrasound energy into the mid-dermis, where collagen and elastin are produced. Clinical studies have demonstrated up to a 68% increase in collagen production just 12 weeks after treatment, helping improve skin quality, elasticity, and firmness over time.

Best for:  

• Fine lines and wrinkles  
• Early skin laxity  
• Improving skin texture and quality  
• Prevention and maintenance  
• Patients seeking minimal downtime

Many of our patients choose Sofwave because treatments are comfortable, require little to no downtime, and continue working for months as new collagen develops.

If healthy skin aging is a marathon rather than a sprint, Sofwave is one of our favorite ways to improve your skin’s architecture and maintain it for years to come.

ULTHERAPY: DEEP STRUCTURAL LIFT

Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound energy to reach deeper structural layers of the face, including the SMAS, the same layer addressed during a surgical facelift!

Rather than primarily focusing on skin quality, Ultherapy excels at providing deeper support and lifting.

Best for:  

• Lifting the brow  
• Defining the jawline  
• Tightening the neck  
• Moderate skin laxity  
• Patients seeking deeper structural support

Ultherapy is often our choice when the primary goal is lift rather than surface rejuvenation.

WHICH IS BETTER?

Neither.

They are different tools designed for different purposes.

Some patients benefit most from Sofwave. Others are ideal candidates for Ultherapy. Many achieve their best results through a thoughtful combination of collagen-stimulating treatments over time. In fact, most of our patients optimally alternate between Ultherapy and Sofwaves every 6-12 months to create and bank as much collagen as possible.

THE BACD DIFFERENCE

Because we offer both technologies, along with lasers, regenerative treatments, biostimulatory injectables such as Sculptra, and surgical referrals when appropriate, we can create a truly personalized treatment plan.

Our goal is never to sell a device. Our goal is to evaluate your face, understand your goals, and recommend the treatment that will deliver the best result for you.

Whether you’re looking to improve skin quality, restore collagen, achieve a deeper lift, or create a comprehensive longevity plan for your skin, our team can help guide you toward the right treatment.

Healthy skin isn’t just about looking younger. It’s about maintaining strong, resilient architecture for decades to come.

Warmly,

Andrea Hui Austin, MD

Board-Certified Dermatologist & Mohs Surgeon

Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology