Sofwave in Pasadena, CA: Ultrasound Lifting Without Needles or Downtime
Quick Answer
Sofwave in Pasadena, CA is a non-invasive ultrasound treatment that lifts and tightens skin on the brow, jawline, neck and under the chin, without needles and with little to no downtime for most patients. A session typically costs $1,500 to $5,000+, depending on the area treated, and most patients need just one session. At Akari Medspa on South Lake Ave, every treatment is planned and performed by Isabel Koo, MSN, NP-BC.
Book online through Jane App (akarimedspa.janeapp.com) or call (949) 628-6949.
01 · Our Sofwave Service
Sofwave at Akari Medspa in Pasadena
Sofwave is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared skin tightening treatment that uses synchronous parallel ultrasound beam (SUPERB) technology. The device delivers focused ultrasound energy to heat the mid-dermis to about 60 to 70 degrees Celsius, which stimulates new collagen and elastin. The skin surface is protected by an integrated cooling system, so treatment focuses on the tissue below the surface.
Sofwave is ultrasound, not radiofrequency and not a laser. It lifts and tightens skin without needles, without surgery and with little to no downtime for most patients. Results build gradually as new collagen forms, usually over 3 to 6 months, and last about a year or more.
At Akari Medspa in Pasadena, every Sofwave treatment is customized to your skin and your goals. Izzy assesses your skin laxity, watches how your face moves and plans the areas to treat, so treatment enhances your natural shape instead of changing it.
- Brow lift
- Jawline and lower face
- Neck
- Under the chin
- Face and neck, combined in one session
02 · Your Options
Sofwave, Microneedling, or Sculptra?
| Treatment | How it works | Best for | Typical sessions | Cost framing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sofwave | Synchronous parallel ultrasound beam (SUPERB) heats the mid-dermis to stimulate collagen and elastin | Lifting and tightening skin on the brow, jawline, neck and under the chin, without needles | Often a single session; maintenance about once a year | $1,500 to $5,000+ per session by area, from Akari published ranges |
| Microneedling | Tiny needles create controlled micro-injuries in the skin surface to trigger collagen | Skin texture, fine lines and tone | A series of sessions, usually spaced weeks apart | Priced per session, with a series usually needed |
| Sculptra | An injectable that stimulates collagen to restore volume gradually | Volume loss in the cheeks and mid-face, not lifting sagging skin | Usually a series of sessions spaced weeks apart | Priced per session, with the total depending on the volume needed |
For lifting and tightening without needles, most Pasadena patients start with Sofwave. Microneedling suits texture and tone. Sculptra suits volume loss, not laxity.
None of these treatments is best for everyone, because each one treats a different concern. Sofwave tightens, microneedling renews the surface, and Sculptra restores volume. Izzy recommends a treatment at your consultation based on your skin and your goals, and most patients settle on a plan once they know what each treatment adds.
03 · Areas and Cost Guide
What Does Sofwave Cost in Pasadena?
Sofwave Pasadena pricing is set by area and by how many areas you treat in one session. Use this table to estimate your treatment before your consultation. All ranges below are published by Akari in its Sofwave cost guide for Pasadena (2026 prices).
| Treatment area | Typical sessions | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Brow | Often 1 | $1,500-$2,500 |
| Lower face and jawline | Often 1 | $2,000-$3,500 |
| Neck | Often 1 | $2,000-$3,500 |
| Face and neck combined | Often 1 | $3,500-$5,500+ |
| Larger or customized plan | 1, planned at consultation | $5,000+ |
Overall, a Sofwave session in Pasadena typically costs $1,500 to $5,000+, depending on the area treated. Your exact total depends on the areas treated, and Izzy confirms your exact plan and total before treatment begins. Read the full breakdown in Akari's Sofwave cost guide for Pasadena.
Two honest notes: a single session can be enough for most patients, and some patients choose a second session at 3 to 6 months for more tightening. A face and neck session combined is the largest single-session plan, and it is also the most expensive one listed above. Results last about a year or more for most patients, so many patients return about once a year to maintain their result, rather than booking a course of sessions.
04 · Your Visit
Your Sofwave Visit, Step by Step
Consultation and Skin Assessment
Your visit begins with a detailed discussion of your goals, your skin laxity and your medical history. Izzy examines the areas where skin has begun to loosen and designs a plan tailored to your face and neck.
Your Area Plan and Exact Price
Izzy identifies the areas to treat, and you agree your plan and your exact total before anything is treated. No treatment starts until your price is confirmed.
Treatment, About 30 to 45 Minutes per Area
After cooling gel is applied, the handpiece glides over the skin and delivers ultrasound pulses with a mild warmth. The device cools the skin surface as it treats. There are no needles and no incisions.
Results Build and Follow-Up
You can return to daily activities the same day in most cases. Collagen builds gradually over 3 to 6 months, with results that last about a year or more. A follow-up visit reviews your progress, and many patients maintain their result with a session about once a year.
05 · Before and After
Before Your Treatment and Aftercare
A few simple steps before and after your appointment protect your skin and your result. None of it is complicated, and Izzy reviews it with you at your visit.
Before your treatment
- Schedule smart: Sofwave results build over 3 to 6 months, so book at least a few months before a major event if you want the full effect by then.
- Tell Izzy about every medication and supplement you take, including blood thinners, and about any recent skin treatment, sunburn or skin infection near the area to be treated.
- Tell Izzy if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a metal implant in the treatment area, since Sofwave may not be appropriate.
- Avoid unprotected sun exposure before your visit, and tell Izzy about any tanning in the treatment area.
- Arrive with a clean face if you can. Makeup can be removed at the clinic.
After your treatment
- Mild redness and swelling are the most common effects, and they usually settle within a day or two.
- Use gentle, soothing skincare products while your skin settles, and avoid intense heat, such as saunas and hot baths, for several days.
- Avoid unprotected sun exposure after treatment, and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
- You can usually return to your normal routine the same day.
- Results build gradually over 3 to 6 months as new collagen forms. That is when we review your progress and discuss any further treatment.
06 · Is It Right for You
Is Sofwave Right for You?
Sofwave works well for anyone with mild to moderate skin laxity on the brow, jawline, neck or under the chin who wants lifting and tightening without needles, surgery or downtime. It is safe for all skin types, including darker skin tones, because ultrasound energy targets tissue below the surface and does not depend on skin pigment. Sofwave is not for everyone: it is not used during pregnancy, and it may not be appropriate if you have an active skin infection or a metal implant in the treatment area.
- Mild to moderate laxity: skin that has begun to loosen along the brow, jawline, neck or under the chin.
- Healthy skin: skin in the treatment area is clear of infection, irritation or sunburn.
- Realistic expectations: you want gradual tightening over several months, not a surgical result.
- No pregnancy: Sofwave is not used while you are pregnant.
07 · Choosing a Provider
How to Choose a Sofwave Provider in Pasadena
Sofwave itself is a standardized device. Results are not. The difference between a result that looks lifted and natural and one that falls short is the judgment of the person planning your treatment, which is why choosing a provider matters more than choosing a device claim.
- Credentials you can verify: a licensed medical provider (NP, RN, PA, or physician) with advanced device training, for whom skin tightening is a core part of daily practice.
- A real consultation: your provider should assess your skin laxity, ask what actually bothers you, and explain a plan before quoting any price.
- A genuine device: a Sofwave device using SUPERB ultrasound technology, used as part of a planned treatment, not a generic tightening claim.
- A conservative philosophy: a provider who is willing to plan one session where one session is enough, rather than selling a package you do not need.
- Continuity: the same provider at every visit, so your treatment history builds and your plan improves over time.
At Akari Pasadena, every Sofwave treatment is performed by Isabel “Izzy” Koo, MSN, NP-BC. You consult with Izzy, you are treated by Izzy, and Izzy adjusts your plan at every visit.
08 · Meet Your Injector
Isabel “Izzy” Koo, MSN, NP-BC
Izzy plans every treatment conservatively and full-face, dosing to how your muscles actually move. The goal is a natural result that leaves your expressions intact: rested and refreshed, never frozen.
For higher-risk areas, Izzy uses ultrasound-guided placement to add an extra layer of precision and safety to the treatment.
- MSN, NP-BC
- Allergan Master Injector
- Advanced K-beauty and Rejuran training
- Ultrasound-guided injection technique
5.0 on Google, Pasadena
09 · Visit Us in Pasadena
On South Lake Avenue, minutes from the neighborhoods we serve
Akari's Pasadena clinic sits on South Lake Ave in the South Lake Avenue shopping district, a few minutes from Old Town Pasadena and Colorado Blvd, with building parking available. Patients visit us from across the San Gabriel Valley and the foothill communities, including South Pasadena, San Marino, Arcadia, Altadena, Sierra Madre, La Cañada Flintridge, San Gabriel, Temple City, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, Rosemead and Glendale. Wherever you are coming from, appointments run about 30 to 45 minutes per area, so treatment fits into a lunch break or an errand run on South Lake. Learn more about our Pasadena clinic.
Pasadena · about 5 min
South Pasadena · about 10 min
San Marino · about 10 min
Altadena · about 10 min
San Gabriel · about 10 min
Sierra Madre · about 15 min
Arcadia · about 15 min
Alhambra · about 15 min
Temple City · about 15 min
La Cañada Flintridge · about 15 min
Eagle Rock · about 15 min
Rosemead · about 15 min
Glendale · about 20 min
Highland Park · about 20 min
Monrovia · about 20 min
El Monte · about 20 min
Monterey Park · about 20 min
202 S Lake Ave Ste 298, Pasadena, CA 91101 · (949) 628-6949 · Monday to Friday 10 to 6, Saturday 10 to 2, Sunday closed · Get directions
10 · Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Sofwave cost in Pasadena?
Sofwave in Pasadena typically costs $1,500 to $5,000+ per session. Brow $1,500 to $2,500, lower face and jawline $2,000 to $3,500, neck $2,000 to $3,500, and face and neck combined $3,500 to $5,500+. Your exact total depends on the areas treated, and Izzy confirms it at consultation before treatment begins.
How many Sofwave sessions do I need?
Most patients need one session, and results build over 3 to 6 months. Some patients choose a second session at 3 to 6 months for more tightening, and many patients return about once a year to maintain their result.
How does Sofwave work?
Sofwave uses synchronous parallel ultrasound beam (SUPERB) technology to deliver ultrasound energy to the mid-dermis, heating it to about 60 to 70 degrees Celsius. That heat stimulates new collagen and elastin, which gradually lifts and tightens skin. It is ultrasound, not radiofrequency and not a laser, and the skin surface is protected by integrated cooling.
How long does Sofwave take?
Treatment takes about 30 to 45 minutes per area, so a single area such as the neck is about 30 to 45 minutes and a face and neck session takes longer. You can return to daily activities the same day in most cases.
When will I see results, and how long do they last?
Some patients notice early firming in the first few weeks, but most results build gradually over 3 to 6 months as new collagen forms. Results last about a year or more for most patients, and maintenance is usually about once a year.
Does Sofwave hurt?
Most patients find the treatment comfortable. A topical numbing cream is usually applied before the session, and the device has an integrated cooling system that provides additional comfort.
Is there downtime after Sofwave?
For most patients there is little to no downtime. Mild redness and swelling are the most common effects, and they usually settle within a day or two. You can usually return to your normal routine the same day.
Is Sofwave safe for all skin types?
Yes. Sofwave is safe for all skin types, including darker skin tones, because ultrasound energy targets tissue below the surface and does not depend on skin pigment. Your consultation still reviews your skin and medical history first.
What areas can Sofwave treat?
Sofwave treats the brow, jawline and lower face, neck and under the chin. It is designed for mild to moderate skin laxity in those areas.
How is Sofwave different from microneedling and Sculptra?
Sofwave lifts and tightens with ultrasound, without needles. Microneedling uses tiny needles to improve texture, fine lines and tone, usually over a series of sessions. Sculptra is an injectable that restores volume gradually, and it does not lift sagging skin. Each treats a different concern, and Izzy can explain which fits your goal.
Can I combine Sofwave with other treatments?
Yes. Sofwave is often combined with treatments that address different concerns, such as microneedling for texture and Sculptra for volume. Izzy sequences combination plans carefully, sometimes in one visit and sometimes staged, and will map out what each treatment adds before you commit to anything.
Where is the best place to get Sofwave in Pasadena?
Look for three things: a licensed medical provider who performs Sofwave regularly, a genuine Sofwave device, and a consultation where your skin is assessed before anyone quotes a price. At Akari, every treatment is performed by Isabel Koo, MSN, NP-BC, at our South Lake Ave clinic in Pasadena.
Ready to talk through your Sofwave plan?
Your consultation is with Izzy directly: your skin assessed, your areas mapped, your exact quote confirmed before anything is treated. Book online through Jane App at akarimedspa.janeapp.com, or call (949) 628-6949. Akari Medspa Pasadena, 202 S Lake Ave Ste 298, open Monday to Friday 10 to 6 and Saturday 10 to 2.
Akari Medspa Pasadena, 202 S Lake Ave Ste 298, Pasadena, CA 91101
Medically reviewed by Isabel Koo, MSN, NP-BC, Allergan Master Injector, Akari Medspa Pasadena.