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Seven evenly spaced vertical bars descending in parallel and stopping together at one shared horizontal band
Seven parallel beams reaching one shared depth, and no deeper. Stylized illustration made for this site: not a photograph, not the Sofwave device, and not a patient.

Sofwave in Seoul: how the device works and what the evidence shows

Written by the Delight Dermatology editorial team · Medically reviewed by Lead Dermatologist, Delight Dermatology Clinic (Korean Board-Certified Dermatologist, AAD International Fellow, ASLMS) · Last reviewed · Editorially updated

Sofwave is a non-invasive skin-tightening device built on SUPERB (Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam) technology and made by Sofwave Medical Ltd. Seven transducers fire together, delivering high-frequency, non-focused ultrasound to a fixed depth of about 1.5 mm in the mid-dermis, while contact cooling protects the surface. The US FDA cleared the system for eyebrow, submental and neck lifting on 15 November 2021 under K211483.

Sofwave in one paragraph

Sofwave is a non-invasive ultrasound device made by Sofwave Medical Ltd. Unlike microfocused ultrasound, which concentrates energy into small points at selectable depths, Sofwave delivers seven parallel, non-focused beams that heat a continuous band of the mid-dermis at a single fixed depth. The published clinical reports place the frequency at 10–12 MHz and the treated zone at roughly 60–70 °C, which is the range associated with controlled collagen denaturation and the wound-healing response that follows. The epidermis is protected by contact cooling and a real-time skin-temperature monitor rather than by aiming the energy around it. Full device parameters are on the What is Sofwave page.

About the treating clinician

Sofwave at Delight Dermatology is performed under the direction of a Korean Board-Certified Dermatologist who is also an AAD International Fellow and an ASLMS member, with active membership in nine Korean dermatology societies and a prior role as senior dermatologist at Banobagi before establishing the current practice. The clinic operates under business registration no. 357-15-02460. Full credentials are on the clinician page.

Street-level view of the Gangnam district of Seoul
Gangnam, Seoul. The clinic is on Gangnam-daero in Seocho-gu, reachable from both Incheon International Airport and the central hotel districts.

How to choose a Sofwave clinic in Seoul

Looking for the best Sofwave clinic in Seoul for your needs? Compare the treating clinician, device, written quote and follow-up arrangements:

What a consultation looks like

International patients can start with a general enquiry and no photograph. If you choose a photo-based preliminary review, you may optionally share a no-makeup front and side photograph and relevant prior treatment history over WhatsApp, Line or KakaoTalk. That can support an initial discussion, but the in-person examination is what confirms candidacy, the treatment areas, the pulse count and the final plan. Allow roughly 30 to 60 minutes for the treatment itself, depending on how many areas are included.

Where Sofwave fits, and where it does not

Sofwave suits mild to moderate laxity and textural change in people who want a non-invasive, low-downtime treatment and are willing to wait months for the result to develop. Session schedules depend on the indication and protocol; the FDA K233104 upper-arm study used two sessions 1–3 weeks apart. It does not substitute for a surgical lift when laxity is advanced, it does not remove fat, and it does not erase deep static folds. Where the laxity is deeper than the mid-dermis, microfocused ultrasound or a surgical consultation may be more suitable. See the comparison page and the candidacy guide for screening criteria.

Published references

The clinical statements on this page reflect the published literature on synchronous parallel-beam ultrasound of the mid-dermis. Citations below are primary or review sources; PubMed identifiers link to abstracts. Where an author group includes device-manufacturer employees, that affiliation is noted in the entry.

  1. Hongcharu W, Boonchoo K, Gold MH. The efficacy and safety of the high-intensity parallel beam ultrasound device at the depth of 1.5 mm for skin tightening. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2023;22(5):1488–1494. PubMed · doi:10.1111/jocd.15672
  2. Gold MH, Biron J. Efficacy and safety of high-intensity, high-frequency, non-focused ultrasound parallel beams for facial skin laxity. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2024;23(1):117–123. PubMed · doi:10.1111/jocd.16098
  3. Liao D, Prasad A, Bloom JD. Use of ultrasound in face and neck rejuvenation. Facial Plastic Surgery. 2026 (online ahead of print). PubMed · doi:10.1055/a-2854-6601