Tackle ageing, sagging skin and acne scars: How this tailored treatment lifts and smoothens

The skin changes as one ages, and not always in ways you’d like. Wrinkles and fine lines gradually appear, marking the passage of time. For those who’ve dealt with acne, the story doesn’t end there. Old acne scars, already a source of frustration, can become more pronounced with age.

These skin concerns – wrinkles, fine lines, and acne scars – are common complexion woes. 

Dr Charlene Goh, medical director at SL Aesthetic Clinic explains: “Collagen supports skin structure and elasticity, and its production starts declining from our mid-20s. A decline in collagen production and, subsequently, skin elasticity and facial volume contribute to fine lines and wrinkles.”

She adds: “Collagen loss may also lead to thinner skin, which could make atrophic or ‘sunken’ scars more pronounced. The skin’s ability to repair itself also diminishes, potentially causing old scars to look more visible.”

One way to address this issue is to stimulate the skin’s cells to produce more collagen, which can help improve the appearance and texture of the skin’s complexion, says Dr Ko Wei Xiang, senior executive doctor at SL Aesthetic Clinic. 

He explains: “The skin is like a mattress: firm, smooth and well supported when new, because it has strong springs inside, like collagen. Over time, the springs start to wear out, and the mattress begins to sag and develop dents.

“This is similar to what happens to your skin as you age – collagen breaks down, causing wrinkles and volume loss. Stimulating collagen production is akin to replacing these old springs in the mattress, and is needed for skin to be firmer, smoother and plumper again.”

SL Aesthetic Clinic offers a minimally invasive Sofwave treatment that targets these skin concerns. According to the clinic, the technology has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in revitalising skin texture.

The device used in the treatment works by sending ultrasound waves that penetrate 1.5mm into the skin – where the collagen, or the “springs” are located, says Dr Chen Kailun, senior executive doctor at SL Aesthetic Clinic. 

He adds that the energy triggers a controlled heat-induced response in which the existing collagen contracts, like the tightening of the springs of a mattress. Additionally, the ultrasound waves cover a larger area, and each treatment lasts about 40 minutes. 

“The heat energy will promote the production of collagen and elastin in the skin, just like adding new ‘springs’,” he adds. “Over time, the skin appears firmer and smoother.”

If you are concerned about the heat energy produced, Dr Chen says the device has a cooling mechanism that continuously works to lower the temperature of the skin’s surface during treatment – like a fan blowing the surface of the skin, even while there is a heating pad below. 

This cooling system also helps protect the deeper layers of the skin from heat damage, as temperatures can go up to 65 deg C, which is considered optimal for the treatment.

The Sofwave treatment typically begins with a consultation with a doctor who will assess your suitability, followed by a personalised treatment plan. Before treatment, additional skin preparation may be done. Numbing cream, painkillers and nerve block injections may be prescribed to manage any discomfort. For reducing the appearance of fine lines, it lifts sagging skin, leaving it looking revitalised. If your goal is to improve acne scars, Sofwave stimulates new skin growth to even out scar tissue and smoothen the complexion.

Post-treatment, skin may appear slightly red with minimal swelling, which typically resolves from a few hours to within a week, says Dr Ko, adding that most clients can apply make-up and resume daily activities without any special post-treatment care. 

However, he advises strict sun protection for at least two weeks and to avoid activities such as swimming for two to three days post-treatment, as well as saunas and hot baths for one week. Prolonged contact with chlorinated water can irritate the skin, weaken its barrier and cause dryness, which may hinder recovery, says Dr Ko. Similarly, hot baths and saunas can dry out the skin, with the excessive heat potentially reducing the treatment’s benefits.

Dr Goh recommends about three treatments, each spaced four to eight weeks apart. “Certain treatments such as Botox and filler injections, or even laser, can be done during the same session, as they target different parts of the face,” she says. 

While ultrasound procedures like Sofwave are generally safe and effective regardless of skin type, Dr Chen cautions its use for certain individuals. 

These include pregnant women, as not enough information is known about the safety of energy-based devices during pregnancy, even if the ultrasound waves are focused only on the face.

Those with severe acne and open wounds should also avoid the procedure, he says. When skin is already compromised, applying heat energy could aggravate the condition, or even introduce bacteria into the broken skin.

“It is generally better to treat active acne first with appropriate methods before considering collagen-stimulating treatments like Sofwave,” Dr Chen adds.

Besides Sofwave, SL Aesthetic Clinic also offers various other skin-lifting treatments. During the initial consultation, the doctor will help create a tailored treatment plan to address your concerns.