qd body sofwave
Body Sofwave firms areas of body skin laxity — commonly the upper arms — using mid-dermis ultrasound at about 1.5 mm. Parallel ultrasound beams prompt collagen renewal so the skin may feel firmer, while integrated cooling protects the surface. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we decide the areas after assessing your skin; a session usually takes about 30–45 minutes with little downtime. (Results vary by individual.)
is this for me
Who it’s for
Even if none of these describes you, we will look again at the consultation.
- Mild skin laxity on the upper arms
- Crepey skin on body areas decided at consultation
- People who want to firm body skin without surgery
- Anyone who prefers little downtime for body areas
Body Sofwave addresses skin firmness, not fat volume or weight — it is not a fat-reduction treatment. Whether it suits you is confirmed during consultation.
Before you pick a treatment name, start with the cause of your concern.
start with your concern
Even a treatment with the same name takes on a different role and scope depending on your current structure, the change you want, what you have had before and the recovery time you have.
01
Where you are now, and where we start
Loss of elasticity in body skin such as the abdomen and arms
02
The change you want, the impression you keep
Rather than how much to lift, we first decide what impression to leave, then mark out how much expression and volume to keep.
03
How it differs from similar options
We compare how deep ultrasound, radiofrequency and microwave energy reach and what each does, alongside thread lifting and surgery.
04
Health information and recovery schedule
We check medication and conditions, any implant in the area, possible pregnancy and the dates that matter, then set the timing and intensity.
the
principle
We plan the area and the intensity of the parallel ultrasound aimed at the mid dermis around your skin thickness and sensitivity.
Parallel ultrasound beams warm the mid-dermis of the body area at about 1.5 mm, creating fractional zones that prompt collagen renewal over the following weeks so the skin may firm. Integrated cooling protects the surface. Sofwave is cleared by the US FDA for improving the appearance of skin laxity on the upper arms and, on a short-term basis, the appearance of cellulite.
How it works
01
Parallel beams to the mid-dermis
Sofwave sends parallel ultrasound beams to a controlled depth of about 1.5 mm — the mid-dermis — rather than the deeper SMAS layer.
02
Fractional zones of warmth
The beams create small, evenly spaced zones of warmth in the dermis, leaving surrounding tissue to support renewal.
03
The surface stays cooled
An integrated cooling mechanism keeps the skin surface protected and more comfortable while the dermis is warmed.
04
Firmness, not fat
Sofwave prompts collagen and elastin renewal to firm body skin over the following weeks; it addresses skin quality, not fat volume or weight.
The same treatment, never the same plan.
the qd standard
Rather than a fashionable name or a fixed package, we weigh the structure found at examination, safety, recovery and the limits within one plan.
- 01DIAGNOSIS FIRSTCause before nameWe first separate out the tissue and the function behind your concern.
- 02LESS, PRECISEOnly as much as neededRather than an excessive change, we plan the smallest scope with a clear role.
- 03HONEST LIMITThe limits, explained tooWe explain the change you can expect, the alternatives, individual differences and the risks.
From consultation to follow-up, planned as one flow.
personal plan
Body Sofwave firms areas of body skin laxity — commonly the upper arms — using mid-dermis ultrasound at about 1.5 mm. Parallel ultrasound beams prompt collagen renewal so the skin may feel firmer, while integrated cooling protects the surface. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we decide the areas after assessing your skin; a session usually takes about 30–45 minutes with little downtime. (Results vary by individual.)
Layer-by-layer diagnosis
We examine whether the sagging, the lines or the volume sit closer to the dermis, the fat or the deep supporting layer.
Mapping by area
We mark what to treat, what volume to keep and what to avoid, so the settings differ even within one face.
A plan built on response
Taking in how your skin reacted, how it felt and any earlier energy treatments, we set the intensity, the area and the follow-up point.
What the procedure is like
- Consultation and assessment of the body area
- Cleansing and mapping of the treatment zone
- Ultrasound delivery with surface cooling
- Soothing and aftercare guidance
Time: A body session takes about 30–45 minutes.
Please read this before treatment
- Little to no downtime; most people return to daily activities the same day.
- Temporary redness or mild swelling in the treated area may occur.
- Use sun protection on exposed areas and follow the aftercare guidance we provide.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Temporary redness or a flushed feeling
- Mild swelling or tenderness in the treated area for a short time
- Occasionally small areas of bruising
- Rarely, temporary changes in skin sensation that typically settle
When to take extra care
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding — let us know at consultation
- Active skin infection, inflammation or open lesions in the treatment area
- Implanted electrical devices, or metal implants in the area — tell your doctor
- Recent fillers, threads or other energy treatments in the area — tell your doctor so timing can be planned
- A history of keloid or difficulty with wound healing
what to expect
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
DAY 0
Treatment day
Warmth as the ultrasound is delivered across the body area, eased by the integrated cooling; afterwards mild redness that usually settles within hours. Most people return to daily activities the same day.
DAY 1-3
Settling
Any redness or mild swelling in the treated area generally eases. Normal activity and skincare can usually resume as advised.
WEEK 2-6
Early change
Some people notice the body skin feeling a little firmer. This varies from person to person.
6-12 WEEKS
Collagen renewal
As new collagen and elastin form, a gradual firmness in the treated area becomes more noticeable for many people. This is typically when results are assessed. (Results vary by individual.)
~6 MONTHS
Review
Your doctor reviews the outcome and, if appropriate, discusses whether to repeat treatment for that area.
Sessions & results
A single session per area is common, with changes appearing gradually over about 6–12 weeks as collagen renews. Whether to repeat is decided at consultation. (Results vary by individual.)
how it compares
How it compares
On the body, several energy treatments address different things — skin firmness versus fat. They are not interchangeable, and the right choice depends on your goal.
| Sofwave | Thermage FLX | ONDA Lifting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Ultrasound (SUPERB parallel beams) | Monopolar radiofrequency | Microwave (Coolwaves) |
| Main target | Skin firmness in the mid-dermis | Skin tightening across the dermis | Selective targeting of deeper fat |
| Often chosen for | Crepey or lax body skin | Overall skin tightening | Localized fat with some laxity |
| Sensation | Warmth with integrated cooling | Warm heating cycles with cooling | Deep warmth over the area |
| Downtime | Little to none | Little to none | Little to none |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Before you decide, the questions people always ask
before consultation
We look at places where thin skin has slackened — the inner arms, the abdomen, above the knees. Because Sofwave works on the mid dermis, it suits areas where surface texture and firmness are the concern more than areas with thick fat. Which area fits is decided by looking at the skin itself.
Cellulite is made by fibrous bands pulling from beneath the skin together with fat, so a treatment that works on dermal firmness has clear limits on its own. The surface texture may read a little smoother, but the dimpling itself will not be removed. If that is your main concern, we will compare other methods with you.
Dividing it is better. Doing a wide area in one go lengthens the session and makes it harder to see how your skin responds. We suggest treating one area first, seeing the response and how it settles, and then widening from there.
You can dress straight away, and looser clothing is more comfortable. Avoid vigorous exercise, saunas and hot baths on the day, and return to your usual routine from the next day. If redness or a feeling of warmth remains, please wait until it has settled.
It does. Gaining weight afterwards stretches the skin again, and losing it rapidly can make the remaining skin stand out more. Treating when weight is stable protects the result better, so if you are planning to lose weight, we discuss the sequence together.
The medical information on this page was reviewed by Hong Sahyeok, plastic surgeon and Medical Director of QD Clinic.
personal consultation
Tell us what bothers you now, the change you want, what you have had done before and any dates that matter. We will compare the possible approaches and their limits, calmly.
Consult now