Sofwave in Korea is a focused ultrasound treatment that heats the mid-dermis at 1.5 mm to firm early loosening and soften fine lines, and how much it can do depends mostly on how lax the skin already is. A first session starts with numbing cream for about 20 to 30 minutes, then roughly half an hour to 45 minutes of pulses on the face. Pinkness typically fades the same day, and most people can fly the next day. Change builds slowly over two to three months as new collagen forms. Clinics quote by shot count before VAT. This page sets expectations by laxity stage and lets you compare clinics and current prices.
Sofwave Medical · SofwaveClinics in Myeongdong
3 clinics for Sofwave in Myeongdong
Short answer: for Sofwave in Myeongdong, the 3 clinics compared on this page are RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong, iD Clinic Myeongdong and Lienjang Myeongdong Aesthetic Clinic. Listed Sofwave prices at these clinics start from ₩590,000 before VAT.
11. RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.91,091 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic near Myeongdong Station, with Sofwave and HIFU lifting on its menu
RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong is a skin and aesthetic clinic near Myeongdong Station. Sofwave is one of its main treatments, alongside HIFU lifting, RF lifting and Botox.
- Sofwave
- HIFU lifting
- RF lifting
- People looking at non-surgical lifting
- Wrinkle or jawline toxin
- Location
- Myeongdong Station (Line 4) / Euljiro-ipgu Station (Line 2)
- Languages
- English · 中文 · 日本語 · Español
- Listed price
- From ₩590,000 + VAT
2. iD Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.8396 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic near Namdaemun-ro, with Ultherapy and Thermage on its menu
ID Clinic Myeongdong is a skin and aesthetic clinic in Namdaemun-ro. Its menu covers Ultherapy, Thermage and HIFU lifting, and Sofwave is also offered.
- Ultherapy
- Thermage
- HIFU lifting
- People looking at non-surgical lifting
- Thread lifting
- Location
- Namdaemun-ro
- Listed price
- From ₩1,300,000 + VAT
3. Lienjang Myeongdong Aesthetic Clinic
★ 4.6667 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic near Myeongdong-gil, with Ultherapy and Thermage on its menu
Lienjang Myeongdong Aesthetic Clinic is a skin and aesthetic clinic in Myeongdong-gil. Its menu covers Ultherapy, Thermage and RF lifting, and Sofwave is also offered.
- Ultherapy
- Thermage
- RF lifting
- People looking at non-surgical lifting
- Thread lifting
- Location
- Myeongdong-gil
Prices
Sofwave cost in Myeongdong
Prices below come from the listed clinics' own price lists, before VAT. 10% VAT is added at payment.
Sofwave · 50 shots
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $429₩590,000 + VATCompare clinicsSofwave · 100 shots
Range across 2 listed clinics · approx. $720–$945₩990,000–₩1,300,000 + VATCompare clinicsSofwave · 200 shots
Range across 2 listed clinics · approx. $1,367–$1,884₩1,880,000–₩2,590,000 + VATCompare clinicsSofwave · 300 shots
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $1,709–$2,022₩2,350,000–₩2,780,000 + VATCompare clinicsIs it for you?
Who Sofwave in Myeongdong suits, and who should wait
Expectations track the stage of laxity more than the birthday. In the early stage, often seen in the thirties, skin is still thick and springy but shows fine lines at the eyes, a less crisp jaw edge or crepey patches; here a dermal treatment has the most to work with and changes tend to be subtle but noticeable. In the middle stage, common in the forties and fifties, some fullness has dropped and the jaw has softened, so Sofwave can improve texture and firmness while leaving the jowl largely in place.
In the advanced stage, frequently in the sixties and beyond, the main issue is heavy sagging and loose deep tissue, which a 1.5 mm device does not reach. Treatment there is usually supportive, for skin quality, and is often paired with deeper energy, filler or a surgical opinion. Sofwave will not restore lost volume, remove fat pads or replace a lift.
Usually a good fit
- Fine lines around eyes, forehead or mouth
- Early softening along the jaw edge
- Crepey or thinning skin on face or neck
- Prefers a short recovery during a trip
May be better to wait
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active acne, infection or open wounds on the area
- Metal implants or devices in the treatment zone
- Heavy sagging that needs surgery or deeper treatment
How it works
How a Sofwave session runs
Sofwave, from Sofwave Medical, belongs to the focused ultrasound (HIFU) family but delivers energy differently from point-focused devices. Its SUPERB applicator fires seven synchronized parallel beams that form cylinder-shaped heat zones at 1.5 mm, a uniform depth in the mid-dermis. Gentle heating there triggers collagen and elastin remodeling, which is why changes appear over weeks rather than in the mirror the same afternoon.
Research on this exact device is thin in the papers assigned to this page: none of them is a Sofwave trial, and all three study other focused ultrasound systems. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal by Amiri and colleagues pooled 42 studies of ultrasound with visualization and found that 89% of patients showed some investigator-rated improvement, with a pooled pain score of 4.85 out of 10. A 2026 cohort by Hwang and colleagues in JPRAS Open treated 34 Korean women aged 31 to 67 with one session around the eyes and measured a mean eyelid length reduction of 0.94 mm at 12 weeks.
In Korea the dose is set by the number of shots per area, and that number also drives the quote. A 2024 study by Kim in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open used 3D scanning after a multi-cartridge HIFU session and recorded the smallest lift on the forehead and larger ones on the jaw and neck, a pattern that suggests why thin areas are treated more cautiously.
Assessment
The doctor checks skin thickness, laxity stage, existing filler or threads, and marks the areas; about 10 to 15 minutes.
Numbing
Topical anesthetic cream is applied and left for roughly 20 to 30 minutes, then removed and the skin cleaned.
Treatment
Ultrasound gel goes on and the applicator is moved across each zone with built-in cooling; around 30 to 45 minutes for a full face.
Soothing
Gel is wiped off, a calming product or cool pack is applied, and aftercare is explained; 10 to 15 minutes.
Sofwave compared with other options
| Feature | Sofwave | Ultherapy | Thermage FLX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Focused ultrasound (HIFU), parallel beams | Focused ultrasound (HIFU), point focus | Radiofrequency |
| Main depth | 1.5 mm mid-dermis | 1.5 to 4.5 mm, down to the fibrous layer above muscle | Broad dermal heating |
| Main effect | Skin firmness and fine lines | Lifting of deeper tissue | Overall tightening and texture |
| Sensation | Short hot pulses, moderate | Deeper ache over bone | Heat waves with cooling |
| Typical downtime | Pinkness for hours | Tenderness for days | Redness for hours |
At a glance
Sofwave facts
| Device and maker | Sofwave by Sofwave Medical |
|---|---|
| Energy class | Focused ultrasound (HIFU), SUPERB parallel beams |
| Treatment depth | 1.5 mm, mid-dermis |
| Dose and price unit | Shots per area |
| Numbing | Cream for about 20 to 30 minutes |
| Time on the face | About 30 to 45 minutes |
| Visible downtime | Pink skin for some hours; varies |
| Sessions | Usually one; repeats are decided case by case |
| When change shows | Gradually over 2 to 3 months |
Recovery
What the days after look like
Skin looks pink and feels warm or tight. Cleanse gently and skip hot baths, saunas and intense workouts.
Redness has normally settled; slight tenderness on the jaw or brow can remain. Flights and city walking are usually fine.
Remodeling is underway; skin may feel smoother before any firming is visible.
Change is usually at its clearest. Results vary from person to person and with laxity stage.
Safety
Sofwave risks and limits
- Redness, warmth and slight swelling are common for some hours
- Tenderness over bone can last a few days
- Small welts or bruises appear occasionally and fade
- Rare burns, blistering or lasting numbness need prompt medical review
- Little or no change is possible, especially with advanced laxity
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization (MFU-V) Effectiveness and Safety: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAesthetic Surgery Journal · 2024 · Amiri M, Ajasllari G, Llane A, Casabona G, Pavicic T, Sevi J, et al. · doi:10.1093/asj/sjae228
Pooling 42 studies of ultrasound with visualization, the review found investigator-rated improvement in 89% of patients, moderate pain and mostly mild adverse events; Sofwave was not studied.
- 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
Thirty-four Korean women had one HIFU session around the eyes with a different device; eyelid length fell by a mean 0.94 mm at 12 weeks and side effects settled within days.
- Three-dimensional Analysis of Lifting Effects after High-intensity Focused Ultrasound (Ultraformer-MPT) across Seven Facial Aesthetic Units Considering SonoAnatomyPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open · 2024 · Kim J · doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000006203
In 50 patients scanned in 3D straight after a multi-cartridge HIFU session, measured lift was smallest on the forehead and largest on the cheek, jaw and neck; Sofwave was not used.
FAQ
Questions about Sofwave in Myeongdong
Which clinics offer Sofwave in Myeongdong?
Clinics offering Sofwave in Myeongdong include RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong (Myeongdong Station), iD Clinic Myeongdong (Namdaemun-ro) and Lienjang Myeongdong Aesthetic Clinic (Myeongdong-gil). Each lists Sofwave on its own menu; message the clinic directly to confirm the doctor, product and current price.
What can someone in their thirties realistically expect from Sofwave?
Expect a subtle gain in firmness and smoother fine lines rather than a visible lift. Skin at this stage is still thick and elastic, so a 1.5 mm dermal treatment has healthy tissue to work with and the change, when it shows, looks natural. Some people in this group use it as maintenance and decide on a repeat only after seeing how their skin responded.
Is Sofwave still worth considering with heavy sagging in the sixties?
It can improve skin texture, but it will not lift heavy jowls or loose neck tissue on its own. Those problems sit in deeper layers that a 1.5 mm device does not reach. A doctor may suggest it as one part of a plan with deeper energy, filler or a surgical opinion, and should say plainly when the expected change is small.
Is Sofwave in Seoul suitable for thin skin around the eyes?
Many clinics treat the area around the eyes with care, using fewer shots and avoiding the eyelid itself. The eye zone has thin skin over bone, so it can feel sharper there. Studies on other focused ultrasound devices around the eyes reported modest tightening, but no Sofwave trial is cited here, so ask how the clinic protects the eyes during treatment.
How soon does a first-timer see a difference?
Most people see little change in the first week and a gradual difference over two to three months. Any brightness right after treatment is mainly mild swelling. The firming that matters comes from new collagen, which takes weeks to build, so judge the outcome around the three-month mark and take your own photos in the same light. Results vary from person to person.
What does the treatment feel like the first time?
Each pulse feels like a brief hot snap, stronger over bone such as the jaw, brow and cheekbones. Numbing cream and built-in cooling reduce the heat, and most people describe it as moderate. Tell the doctor if a zone feels too intense, because the shot pattern can be adjusted and short pauses are normal. A first session is a good time to learn which zones feel strongest before any repeat is planned.
Can Sofwave be repeated, and how soon?
Many people stop at one session and review the result after several months before deciding on another. Some doctors plan a second session for more advanced laxity, while others suggest yearly maintenance once collagen has remodeled. The timing depends on skin response, age and goals, so ask the doctor for the reasoning behind any repeat plan. Keep the shot record from each visit so the next doctor can compare doses.
Does it work on the neck as well as the face?
Yes, the neck and the area under the chin are commonly treated with the same applicator. Neck skin is thinner and loosens early, so dermal firming can help crepey texture there. Deep vertical bands or heavy loose skin usually need other options, which a consultation should mention honestly. Results on the neck build on the same slow timeline as the face, over two to three months.
Will Sofwave affect filler or threads already in place?
The 1.5 mm depth sits above most deep filler and threads, which lowers the chance of disturbing them. Still, tell the doctor where and when you had them, because very recent or superficial product changes how an area is treated. Some doctors wait a few weeks after fresh filler before using energy on the same zone. Bring the product names if you have them, since that helps the doctor decide where to place each pass.
What should a first consultation make clear?
A good consultation names your laxity stage and states what a dermal treatment can and cannot change for you. It should also give the shot count per area, how many sessions are suggested, the expected recovery, and the risks. If the doctor thinks a different treatment fits better, or that you need nothing yet, that answer is just as useful.