From the team at Alamo Heights Dermatology, serving San Antonio and Bulverde, Texas

We spend a lot of time talking with patients about sun protection and skin cancer risk, because San Antonio’s climate makes that conversation especially important. But UV exposure and heat don’t just raise skin cancer risk. They also accelerate the breakdown of collagen, the protein responsible for keeping skin firm and smooth. We want to walk through that connection and where Sofwave fits into supporting skin that’s spent years in this climate.

How San Antonio’s Climate Affects Your Skin’s Collagen

Living somewhere with year-round sun and long stretches of heat has real effects on the skin’s structure, beyond the sunspots and texture changes patients usually notice first.

Exposure Factor	What It Does to Skin	Why It Matters Here
UV Radiation	Breaks down existing collagen and elastin fibers in the skin	Compounds year-round in a high-UV climate like San Antonio’s
Heat Exposure	Increases inflammation and oxidative stress in the skin	Can add to the visible effects of collagen loss
Cumulative Sun Exposure	Thins the dermis and reduces the skin’s own collagen-producing capacity across the years	Makes collagen-support treatments increasingly relevant for long-term San Antonio residents

How Sofwave Supports Collagen Where Sun and Heat Break It Down

Sofwave uses SUPERB (Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam) technology to deliver controlled heat precisely at 1.5mm in the mid-dermis, where collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid are actively produced. An integrated cooling system called Sofcool protects the skin’s surface throughout treatment.

The clinical evidence behind Sofwave includes:

• 40+ peer-reviewed publications
• 68% average collagen increase confirmed by biopsy (Suh et al., 2025)
• 33% average elastin increase confirmed by biopsy (Suh et al., 2025)
• Documented stimulation of hyaluronic acid production in the dermis
• 1 million+ treatments worldwide, no fat atrophy events reported in published data
• 7 specific FDA aesthetic clearances
• Results lasting 12 months or longer from a single session

Why This Matters Beyond Sunscreen

Sunscreen and regular skin checks remain the foundation of protecting your skin here in San Antonio, and nothing replaces that. But for skin that’s already spent years under intense sun and heat, prevention alone doesn’t rebuild what’s already broken down. Sofwave works on the collagen that’s already there, stimulating new production directly, which makes it a natural complement to the sun protection habits we already recommend.

Is Sofwave Right for You?

Sofwave may be worth discussing at your next visit if you:

• Have mild to moderate skin laxity in the face, neck, or body
• Have spent significant time in a high-sun, high-heat climate
• Want a treatment backed by published, biopsy-confirmed evidence
• Want little to no downtime

What to Expect With Sofwave at Alamo Heights Dermatology

Treatment is a single in-office session, typically taking about an hour depending on the areas addressed. Topical numbing cream is applied approximately 30 to 45 minutes before treatment begins to ensure your comfort throughout the session. Most patients describe the sensation as brief pulses of warmth. There is little to no downtime, though temporary redness or mild swelling can occur for a few hours.

• Weeks 8 to 12: Noticeable lifting and tightening as new collagen matures
• Following months: Continued improvement as collagen remodeling progresses
• 12 months and beyond: Results lasting a year or longer from a single session

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does sunscreen alone prevent collagen loss?

A: Sunscreen is essential for preventing future UV damage, but it doesn’t rebuild collagen that’s already broken down. Treatments like Sofwave work on the collagen that’s already there, while sunscreen protects against further loss.

Q: What evidence supports Sofwave’s results?

A: Sofwave is backed by 40+ peer-reviewed publications, including biopsy-confirmed data showing a 68% average increase in collagen and a 33% average increase in elastin (Suh et al., 2025), along with documented stimulation of hyaluronic acid production.

Q: What is Sofwave FDA-cleared to treat?

A: Sofwave has 7 specific FDA aesthetic clearances, including eyebrow lifting, submental and neck lifting, facial lines and wrinkles, cellulite reduction, acne scar improvement, and arm skin laxity.

Q: Is Sofwave safe for the facial fat compartments?

A: Yes. Sofwave targets the mid-dermis at 1.5mm, above the fat layer. Across 1 million+ treatments, no fat atrophy events have been reported in published data.

Q: How long do results last?

A: Results can last 12 months or longer from a single treatment session, with full results typically visible within 8 to 12 weeks.

Q: Is there downtime after Sofwave?

A: Little to none. Most patients return to their normal activities immediately, though temporary redness or mild swelling can occur for a few hours.

Q: Who is a good candidate for Sofwave?

A: Patients with mild to moderate skin laxity, especially those who have spent years in a sun-intensive climate like San Antonio, are good candidates. A consultation with our team will confirm whether Sofwave fits your goals.

Schedule Your Consultation in San Antonio or Bulverde

If you’d like to talk through whether Sofwave fits your skin goals, we’d love to meet with you. Every consultation at Alamo Heights Dermatology starts with an honest assessment from our team.

Schedule your consultation with Alamo Heights Dermatology today.

San Antonio, TX: 131 W. Sunset Rd, Suite 101, San Antonio, TX 78209 | (210) 255-8447

Bulverde, TX: 121 Bulverde Crossing Rd, Suite 110, Bulverde, TX 78163 | (830) 380-3031

alamoheightsderm.com