Gimpo Dermatology Clinic: The Director Personally Explains the Difference Between Sofwave and Ultherapy

What’s different from Ultherapy?

It’s the latest device focused on the dermis.

At Gimpo Dermatology Clinic,

many people are curious about Sofwave,

so I organized the key points myself.

"How is it different from Ultherapy?"

"Is it true that it helps skin texture?"

"Does it hurt a lot?"

I get these questions very often.

I’ll answer them honestly one by one.

✅ 1. How is Sofwave

different from existing ultrasound lifting treatments?

Ultherapy is made up of three tips:

1.5 mm, 3.0 mm, and 4.5 mm.

In other words, it covers multiple depths at the same time.

Sofwave is a latest device

focused on a single 1.5 mm tip.

The key point is that it concentrates energy

at one depth.

The energy delivery method is also different.

Ultherapy creates dots,

while Sofwave creates columns.

It works by connecting dots continuously

into a column-like shape.

There is also a difference in energy output.

Compared with Ultherapy’s 1.5 mm tip,

it delivers about 20 times more energy.

It may be easier to understand if you think of it

as delivering the energy of 20 dots at once.

✅ 2. Why is Sofwave especially strong

for improving skin texture and elasticity?

The 1.5 mm tip targets the dermis

and the subdermal layer in a focused way.

The dermis is the key layer that determines

skin elasticity and texture.

When energy is delivered intensively to this layer,

collagen is stimulated

and the dermal structure improves,

which helps both elasticity and skin texture.

You can think of it as a device specialized in

improving the dermis rather than deeper layers (SMAS).

✅ 3. What skin types are

good candidates for Sofwave?

It is especially suitable for people like this.

People whose skin elasticity has gradually decreased with age,

people who feel that the skin at the temples or the front cheek area has become thinner,

people with soft skin

and a tendency to develop fine lines easily.

These are the kinds of cases

for which Gimpo Dermatology Clinic recommends Sofwave.

✅ 4. Are the expected effects different

by age group?

The approach changes a little depending on age.

In your 30s, people are often concerned about

the appearance of fine lines starting to form,

while in your 50s and older, people often want to

improve overall loss of elasticity.

However, fine lines and loss of elasticity

ultimately start from the same cause.

The common cause is that the dermis becomes thinner

and collagen decreases.

So regardless of age,

Sofwave, which stimulates the dermis,

can help improve both concerns together.

✅ 5. When do results appear,

and how long do they last?

Results begin to appear about 1 to 2 weeks

after the procedure.

This is the period when collagen is gradually produced

and you start to notice changes in the skin.

However, collagen naturally decreases again

as time passes.

It is known to decrease by about 1% per year

starting from age 25.

So regular maintenance is important

if you want to preserve the results.

✅ 6. How much pain does it actually cause?

To be honest,

it stings quite a bit.

The pain you feel when we pinch the skin

is dermal pain.

Because Sofwave stimulates exactly that layer,

the stinging sensation can feel quite strong.

That is why at Gimpo Dermatology Clinic,

we also provide cooling anesthesia with an Ice Air Cooler.

It cools continuously during the procedure

to minimize discomfort.

✅ 7. What combination procedures work well

with Sofwave?

I especially recommend two.

First, Dermatox.

From one week after the procedure,

you can see an immediate improvement in skin elasticity.

It helps you feel the effects of Sofwave

more quickly.

Second, Juvelook SB.

It contains ingredients that promote collagen production

and helps further strengthen the collagen regeneration

that Sofwave has started.

If you want to improve both elasticity and skin texture

at the same time,

this combination is the most effective.

✅ 8. Do results vary depending on

the skill of the medical staff?

Yes, they do.

In particular, contact—the way the tip adheres to the skin—is

very important.

If contact is not made properly,

energy may not be delivered accurately to the desired layer,

and the risk of burns or side effects can increase.

The more experienced the practitioner,

the more consistently they can maintain this contact

and carry out the procedure safely and effectively.

✅ 9. If the effect feels insufficient,

what is the reason?

The most common reason is an insufficient number of shots.

If enough energy is not delivered,

the effect will inevitably be reduced as well.

It is also important whether the areas of concern

were cared for intensively.

Before the procedure, if you clearly tell Gimpo Dermatology Clinic

which area you want improved the most during your consultation,

that area can be treated with focused attention.

✅ 10. Why do differences in satisfaction happen?

People who closely check changes in their own face

tend to notice the effects well.

On the other hand, people who come in with the vague hope that

"I just want it to look better" may have difficulty perceiving the changes.

The most satisfying cases are when the areas of concern

are checked together and treated intensively.

During consultation, clearly telling us

which part bothers you the most

is the first step toward a satisfying result.

✅ 11. A message for people considering Sofwave

There are truly many different types of lifting procedures.

The process of finding the treatment that suits you

is more important than any procedure itself.

If sagging is your main concern, a lifting procedure may be suitable,

and if your main concerns are elasticity and skin texture improvement,

Sofwave may be a better fit.

Through a consultation at Gimpo Dermatology Clinic,

first understand your current skin condition

and then choose a treatment that matches it.

That is the smartest approach.

Sofwave is the latest ultrasound device

focused on the dermis.

It is a procedure known for its strengths in

improving loss of elasticity, fine lines, and skin texture.

Many people compare it with Ultherapy,

but the two devices have slightly different purposes.

Depending on which concern you want to address,

the better-suited procedure will differ.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask anytime

through the Gimpo Dermatology Clinic comments! 😊

Thank you for reading this long post.

This was Woo Youngjin.