I Tried The Celeb-Approved Sofwave Treatment & These Were The Results

Juliet Herd jumped at the chance to try non-invasive Sofwave therapy, one of aesthetic medicine’s most cutting-edge skin rejuvenation treatments. But will it give her back a firm jawline?

Putting The Sofwave Treatment To The Test For A Firmer Jawline

About The Clinic

Dr Galyna Selezneva is one of London’s leading aesthetic doctors but insists she is never busy.

This is entirely by choice.

As part of her holistic approach to non-surgical treatments, honed over 20 years at the cutting edge of aesthetic medicine, she devotes as much time as possible to each patient, getting to know them and their needs and desires.

She also prioritises a personal work/life balance. Simple as that.

‘Oh, I am never busy,’ she smiles. ‘I don’t like it. I just want a life. I’m sure my bank manager would disagree.’ She roars with laughter, entirely unapologetic. ‘We are very patient-focused – I usually see no more than four a day, which means there is no rush. I want my patients to feel relaxed and cared for.’

Her private medical practice in Knightsbridge, which opened two years ago, is certainly an oasis of calm and unlike any other I’ve visited. The waiting room is more akin to a hotel lounge, complete with wide screen TV, plush velvet sofa and billiard table. As part of her personalised wellbeing service, the Ukraine-born doctor, who also runs the Wellness Hub within the nearby Lanesborough hotel, joins me in filling out the comprehensive patient form. ‘I always prepare a treatment plan for my patients,’ says Dr Galyna, who, in addition to her medical qualifications, is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. ‘You have to take into account their medical history and lifestyle factors, such as whether they smoke or suffer from any autoimmune diseases.’

Unlike some of her peers, she makes a point of wielding the high-tech body sculpting and skin-tightening devices herself, rather than delegating to a therapist. ‘It’s a medical treatment,’ she explains. Which is why I find myself spending nearly two hours in her delightful company, during which she performs the non-invasive skin tightening treatment Sofwave, favoured by the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Kardashian.

Dr Galyna Selezneva

The Treatment: Sofwave

Having worked with some of the best aesthetic tools in the business, from ULTRAcel and CoolSculpting to Cristal Pro and Thermage FLX, and undertaken thousands of device-led treatments, Dr Galyna knows her machines. In her expert view, Sofwave ‘stands in a league of its own’. ‘It’s a clinically proven, FDA-cleared technology,’ says this award-winning medic. ‘It’s also a very safe device due to its unique parallel beam technology and shallow energy spread, making it safe for facial fat and underlying structure.’

Using advanced ultrasound energy to stimulate the skin’s natural regenerative processes, the treatment is designed to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, lift the eyebrow, neck and submental (under-chin) area and reduce overall skin laxity. Unlike older devices that send energy deep into the muscle, it targets the mid dermis at a depth of 1.5mm, where collagen is naturally produced. Controlled shots of energy gently heat the tissue in this layer, triggering a ‘healing response’ in the skin, which in turn stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin fibres. No cutting or needles required.

One of the main advantages of this treatment is that it is suitable for every skin type or tone with no risk of causing scarring or pigmentary issues. The ultrasound energy passes through the skin without interacting with melanin.

‘It’s a universal tool that can be made bespoke,’ confirms Dr Galyna.

While Sofwave can be used to treat any area where skin has become thin or crepey, including décolletage, arms, thighs, lower abdomen and even buttocks, I’m here to sort out my problematic neck and jawline, areas that are notoriously hard to treat with injectables alone.

As someone genetically predisposed to a weaker mandible (lower jawbone, to me and you) area, I’ve become increasingly conscious of my saggy skin and lack of defined jawline, especially since hitting late middle age. Like an old building, my structural scaffolding has started to collapse. Fearful of going under the knife, though, I’m hoping Sofwave will prove to be the next best thing, resulting in firmer skin and more sculpted jowls. I’m not expecting anything dramatic, rather, a rejuvenated, lifted appearance that still looks natural.

‘It’s one of the best treatments for lower face laxity,’ confirms the good doctor as she applies a liberal layer of numbing cream to my lower face, which she leaves to sit for around 40 minutes. Although the device includes an integrated cooling system to protect the skin, the cream is designed to help make the heat sensation more bearable.

Does It Hurt?

Before she starts, I ask the burning question on every aesthetic patient’s tick list: how much pain can I expect? ‘It can be painful, I’m afraid,’ she admits. ‘But the level of pain is purely down to the practitioner’s experience and I’m happy to say my treatment is very comfortable.’

She is true to her word. What I discover is that Dr Galyna has a way of wielding the device that is pure artistry; she’s the wand whisperer of aesthetic machines. She describes her technique as ‘like dancing on the face’, following the contours and lines of each person’s facial map, while addressing any individual concerns. The most discomfort I feel is a tingling sensation around my jawline, where there is more bone, or when Dr Galyna applies slightly more pressure, but even this is fleeting. ‘Having worked with previous tech that was very painful, I have developed a way to manage pain,’ she says.

She asks me not to reveal too much about her secret technique because it is her ‘signature’ but does admit that she administers more ‘shots’ or pulses of ultrasound energy than is standard practice to get the best results. Hence, why her treatment takes about an hour, longer than is customary.

Dr Galyna explains there is no need for aftercare instructions as there is zero ‘downtime’ with Sofwave. The ultrasound energy bypasses the top layer of skin and only heats the layers underneath, meaning there is no surface damage.

Downtime & Results

Any redness disappears within a couple of hours of treatment, and I’m delighted to find there is no peeling, scabbing or bruising. My skin looks plumped and tightened immediately afterwards due to the heat, but because this is a biological process involving collagen stimulation, it will take up to 12 weeks to see any significant improvements. When I visit Dr Galyna after nine weeks, she gives me a quick appraisal and declares herself highly satisfied with the results. ‘It’s looking good,’ she beams. ‘There is less laxity in the lower face, and the nasolabial fold [those annoying crevices running from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth] and marionette lines [wrinkles running from the corner of the mouth to the chin] are less noticeable. There is more jawline definition, and the quality of the skin is plumper and the face looks lifted.’

While the changes are subtle, I notice that my jawline continues to reveal itself over the weeks that follow. Another plus is that results can last between 12 to 18 months, depending on lifestyle and genetics, with top up sessions recommended once a year. ‘Sofwave is a strong preventative tool that helps to avoid skin laxity, especially if you start in your 30s. It’s about playing the long game,’ says this master wand whisperer.

Before & After

C&TH Key Notes

• Tweakment: Sofwave
• Expert: Dr Galyna Selezneva
• Downtime: None
• Best for: Lower face laxity
• Cost: Starts at £3,600 for a single lower face and neck treatment
• Contact: [email protected]

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drgalyna.com