Sofwave at 12 Weeks: Is It Time for Another Treatment?

Twelve weeks after Sofwave is not an automatic deadline for another treatment. At UH CELL Newsroom, we draw a distinction between assessing a treatment's results and deciding whether another session is needed. A study's 12-week follow-up should not be treated as a retreatment schedule for everyone.

What did the study assess at 12 weeks?

A multicenter study published in Dermatologic Surgery in 2021 enrolled 60 participants for a single treatment of the face and neck. Of those participants, 58 completed the study. Researchers compared pretreatment photographs and wrinkle assessments with those taken 12 weeks after treatment. Sofwave's manufacturer also reports this assessment point in its clinical study summary.

The study examined changes in fine lines on the face and neck after one treatment. It did not compare different retreatment intervals or test whether an additional treatment was needed at 12 weeks. The manufacturer supported the study, and some authors served as advisers to the manufacturer. Those relationships are relevant when interpreting the findings.

This study alone cannot establish how long an individual's results will last or whether that person needs another session at 12 weeks. It also does not mean that results disappear when 12 weeks have passed. The end of an observation period is not the same as the end of a treatment's effect.

What should you discuss before another treatment?

Rather than deciding by the calendar alone, we suggest reviewing these questions with a medical professional:

• How has the area originally targeted for treatment changed compared with its pretreatment appearance?
• What change could an additional treatment reasonably be expected to make to your remaining concern?
• Given your current skin condition, what are the risks of another treatment, and what should be considered if you continue to monitor the results instead?

These questions are preparation for a discussion, not a replacement retreatment schedule. Instead of booking another session simply because 12 weeks have passed, write down your treatment date, the areas treated, and the changes you have noticed. Use that information to discuss the purpose of any further treatment.

Skin responses and recovery times vary from person to person. Consult a medical professional for an individualized diagnosis and treatment plan.