What happens during a Sofwave treatment?
Dr. West applies a topical numbing agent. During treatment you’ll feel warmth but should not feel pain. Afterward you can go straight back to normal activities, with no skincare steps to follow.
Sofwave™ Skin Tightening & Lift
Sofwave Skin Lifting & Tightening in Chevy Chase, MD
★ 5.0 · 363 Google reviews
Medically reviewed by Tina B. West, MD, board-certified dermatologist · Updated November 2, 2026.
Non-surgical lifting from a dermatologist with 30 years in lasers and energy-based devices, and Harvard
Medical School laser course faculty.
Sofwave uses ultrasound energy to lift and tighten loose skin without surgery, needles or downtime. Most
patients need one session, and results keep building for about 12 weeks. At The West Institute, Dr. Tina West — a board-certified dermatologist whose practice has focused on non-surgical care
since 2000 — performs and plans every Sofwave treatment.
Patients come from Washington, DC, Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring and
Northern Virginia.
Why Dr. West For Sofwave
- Non-surgical lifting has been her focus since 2000. The West Institute was built on Skip the Scalpel: lifting and tightening without surgery.
- She teaches device-based treatment. Faculty for Current Concepts in Cutaneous Laser Surgery at Harvard Medical School and the ASLMS Advanced Laser Skin Resurfacing Course; Fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.
- She combines treatments for better results. For hooded upper lids she pairs Sofwave’s precise handpiece with Laser-Coring™.
How Does
SofwaveTM Work?
Sofwave delivers ultrasound energy that heats the dermis, the middle layer of skin where collagen and elastin are made. That heat stimulates new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which firms and lifts loose skin over the following weeks.
What is Sofwave FDA-cleared for?
- Improving fine lines and wrinkles
- Lifting the eyebrow, neck and submental (“double chin”) area
- Improving the appearance of acne scars
- Short-term improvement in the appearance of cellulite
Am I a candidate or Sofwave?
Sofwave is suitable for all skin types and tones, and for adults of most ages. It’s a good fit if you’re concerned about:
- Jowls
- Drooping or lax skin
- Low eyebrows or eyelid hooding
- Laxity on the neck, chest, arms, thighs, abdomen or other areas
For hooded upper lids, Dr. West uses Sofwave’s “precise” handpiece along the brow bone, sometimes combined with Laser-Coring™ to remove a small amount of eyelid skin non-surgically. For some patients, this may replace the need for surgical eyelid lifting.
Let's Get Started
Dr. Tina West is a board-certified dermatologist and leading expert in cosmetic dermatology, laser surgery, and body contouring procedures. For over 30 years, Dr. West has dedicated her practice to providing natural-looking results and full patient satisfaction. Dr. West invites you to visit The West Institute for a friendly and informative consultation.
Let's Get Started
How many Sofwave treatments will I need?
Most patients need one. Some benefit from a second, depending on the area, how much laxity there is and how their skin responds.
Why Choose Dr. Tina West?
Choosing a dermatologist means trusting their judgment, experience, and approach to your care. At The West Institute, Dr. Tina B. West brings decades of cosmetic dermatology experience to help you make informed treatment decisions.
- Dual board-certified expertise. Dr. West is board-certified in dermatology and internal medicine, bringing a broad medical perspective to skin health and aesthetic care.
- More than 30 years of experience. In private practice since 1996, she combines extensive clinical experience with an individualized approach to treatment.
- An educator and published physician. Her background includes teaching in advanced laser surgery courses and publishing in peer-reviewed journals, including Dermatologic Surgery and the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
- Trusted by patients. The West Institute’s 363 five-star Google reviews reflect patients’ experiences with the practice, its team, and their care.
Explore your options with Dr. West and discuss a treatment plan tailored to your skin, goals, and medical history.
How long do Sofwave results last?
Some patients see a change within a week. Skin regeneration continues for up to 12 weeks, with significant results by 3 months and continued lifting for at least a year. Results don’t “wear off”; you keep aging naturally, so many patients repeat Sofwave about once a year as maintenance.
Can Sofwave lift jowls and the neck?
Yes. Jowls, the jawline and the neck are among the most common areas Dr. West treats with Sofwave.
See real results:
How much does Sofwave cost?
Cost depends on the areas treated (face, neck, brow, body). Dr. West gives you a personalized quote at your consultation.
"I was very interested in the SofWave device, as it is highly rated and suitable for all skin types. No downtime is an added bonus… I can already see a difference and am very happy with the results so far."
Schedule Your Chevy Chase, MD Sofwave™ Treatment Today!
Dr. Tina West, board-certified dermatologist and founder and owner of The West Institute, is proud to offer Sofwave™ to her patients in the Washington metro and beyond. If you want to learn more about what this groundbreaking treatment can do for you, schedule your Sofwave™ consultation by calling (301) 986-9378 or filling out our online contact form.