Onda or Sofwave for a Less Defined Jawline?

Key answer: Start with under-chin fullness versus loose skin

Hello, I am Dr. Kim Yeon-jin, Chief Physician at UHCELL Clinic Gangnam.

If your jawline looks less defined, I recommend first identifying what you want to change: fullness beneath the chin, skin that looks loose, or both. DEKA describes Onda as a microwave device, while Sofwave’s manufacturer describes its device as using ultrasound technology. That difference alone does not establish which will give you a better result. The treatment area, goal, and proposed device configuration also matter.

I recommend approaching this comparison with a question about your goal, rather than the device name or perceived intensity: What would you like to change about your jawline? Here is how I suggest reading the manufacturers’ descriptions and preparing for a consultation.

Is your concern fullness beneath the chin or loose skin?

Try describing your goal in one of these ways:

• I want to reduce the fullness beneath my chin.
• I am more concerned about loose skin and a less defined jawline than fullness.
• Both concern me.

These descriptions help communicate your desired change. They are not a way to diagnose fat or skin as the cause yourself. I recommend adding where you notice the change and what looks different, rather than simply saying your jawline is sagging. A skin assessment is then needed to clarify the area to evaluate and the treatment goal.

How do the manufacturers describe Onda and Sofwave?

DEKA’s official Onda information describes a microwave device with Deep and Shallow handpieces that act at different depths. Its description of the Shallow handpiece includes skin tightening and treatment beneath the chin. If you are considering Onda, I recommend asking which handpiece is proposed for that area and why, rather than deciding by the device name alone.

Sofwave’s official manufacturer website describes ultrasound technology for improving skin laxity and lifting. This is the manufacturer’s description of its applications, not a direct comparison demonstrating greater jawline improvement than Onda.

Comparison point	Onda	Sofwave
Energy described by the manufacturer	Microwaves	Ultrasound
What to look for in the official description	Differences between handpiece applications, including Shallow’s skin-tightening and under-chin applications	Descriptions of ultrasound technology for skin laxity and lifting
A question to bring to your consultation	Which area beneath my chin would be treated, with which handpiece, and for what goal?	Which area of loose skin is being assessed, and what change is the treatment intended to achieve?

I would not reduce the choice to “Onda for volume, Sofwave for loose skin.” Onda’s manufacturer also includes skin tightening in its application descriptions. Conversely, Sofwave’s lifting description should not be treated as evidence of fat reduction beneath the chin. The first question is whether the proposed treatment goal matches the change you want.

Compare the same outcomes, not just improvement figures

A change in under-chin fullness and a change in skin laxity answer different questions. When clinical results are discussed, I recommend looking beyond a single improvement figure and asking:

• What condition did the participants have, and which area was treated?
• Was the outcome a fat-related change or a change in skin laxity?
• How was the outcome assessed, and how long were participants followed?

Rather than grouping numbers from different outcomes under “jawline improvement,” I recommend checking whether each outcome matches your goal. A manufacturer’s explanation of its technology also needs to be distinguished from clinical results comparing both devices under the same conditions.

If an overseas authorization or labeling claim is discussed, ask which country it applies to and which treatment area and purpose it covers. I recommend keeping that separate from authorization in South Korea and from any guarantee about your individual result.

What should you ask about discomfort and recovery?

I do not recommend choosing the supposedly less painful option, or assuming treatment will not affect your schedule, based on the device name alone. Sofwave’s official manufacturer website also notes that results and experiences vary between individuals. Before committing to a schedule, request an explanation that fits the proposed treatment area and conditions rather than assuming a fixed recovery period or a pain-free procedure.

For your consultation, I recommend preparing:

• The names, treatment areas, and dates of previous procedures.
• Your current medications and relevant health information.
• Important dates, such as a photo session, business trip, or departure flight.

This is preparation for discussing the device’s contraindications, precautions, and expected skin reactions. It is not a checklist for deciding on your own whether treatment is suitable.

I also recommend asking which reactions to monitor after treatment and when to contact a medical facility. If your stay in Korea is short, discuss how to make contact before and after departure and how follow-up assessment will be arranged.

What should you clarify at our Gangnam clinic?

Our Gangnam clinic’s official published menu lists both Onda and Sofwave. You can review our Onda lifting information. A menu listing, an available appointment, and the device configuration proposed for your treatment are separate points to confirm.

At our clinic, treatment planning is based on an individual skin assessment. Comparing these two treatments does not mean you should assume that both are needed or that they should follow a fixed sequence. I recommend asking what goal each proposed treatment serves and what role it would have in your plan, taking your previous procedures into account.

For a subsequent visit, discuss the treatment goal and criteria for reviewing progress rather than starting with a universal repeat interval.

After reviewing the treatment information, bring the areas you want to change and your previous treatment records to your consultation. Alongside “Which device is better?” I recommend asking, “What is the treatment goal for my jawline?”

※ Skin reactions and recovery times vary between individuals. Please consult a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.