Sofwave, Botox & Filler: Order and Timing

One of the most common questions we hear from patients planning a lifting session is some version of this: "I want Sofwave, Botox, and filler all in the same window — can I just do them in one visit?" It's a fair question. Bundling treatments feels efficient, and when you're already taking time off, doing everything at once is tempting.

Here's the honest answer: you often can combine them, but the order and the spacing matter more than most people expect. Get the sequence right and you'll usually see less swelling, less irritation, and cleaner results. Get it wrong and you can muddy your recovery or make it harder to judge how each treatment actually settled.

In this article, we'll cover what each of these three treatments actually does, why combining them is popular, how to think about order and timing, what a sensible schedule looks like, the side effects and safety points to keep in mind, and how to decide what fits your skin and goals.

What Sofwave, Botox, and Filler Each Do

Before you can sequence anything, it helps to understand that these three treatments work on completely different layers and mechanisms. They aren't competing — they're addressing different problems.

Sofwave is an ultrasound-based lifting device that delivers focused energy into the mid-dermis to stimulate collagen over time. It's FDA-cleared for lifting the eyebrow, submental (under-chin), and neck tissue, and for improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Because it works by prompting your own collagen to remodel, results build gradually over roughly three months rather than appearing overnight.

Botox is a botulinum toxin injection that temporarily relaxes specific muscles. It's FDA-approved for certain dynamic wrinkles — think forehead lines, frown lines, and crow's feet — that form when you make expressions. It works on movement, not structure.

Filler (dermal filler) adds volume. Most modern fillers are hyaluronic acid gels injected to restore lost volume, soften folds, or refine contour in areas like the cheeks, chin, or lips. Unlike Sofwave, the effect is immediate — you place volume where volume is missing.

So in plain terms: Sofwave tightens and lifts, Botox softens movement, and filler restores volume. That's exactly why people want all three — they cover three different aspects of a refreshed look. But because they act on different depths and heal on different timelines, stacking them carelessly is where problems start.

Why People Combine All Three

The appeal is straightforward: each treatment has a blind spot the others cover. Sofwave can lift and firm, but it won't erase a deep expression line or plump a hollow cheek. Botox smooths movement lines but does nothing for sagging or volume loss. Filler restores fullness but can't tighten loose skin or relax an overactive muscle.

Combined thoughtfully, they can complement each other. A common goal is what some clinicians informally call a "full-face" approach — addressing laxity, dynamic lines, and volume in a coordinated plan rather than chasing one issue at a time. Studies on energy-based lifting suggest collagen-stimulating ultrasound can improve skin laxity, and there's a body of research on combining energy devices with injectables for a more balanced result.

That said, more treatments isn't automatically better. Combining three procedures means three sets of side effect profiles, three healing curves, and more chances for swelling or bruising to overlap. The goal isn't to do everything possible — it's to do what your face actually needs, in an order that lets each treatment do its job cleanly. Individual results vary, and a good plan starts with figuring out which of the three you genuinely need.

How to Think About Order and Timing

This is the heart of the question. When you combine Sofwave with injectables, two things drive the decision: which treatment could disturb another, and how each one heals. Here's the reasoning most clinicians work from.

Energy-based treatment and filler don't love sharing a session. Sofwave delivers focused ultrasound energy beneath the skin. Filler is a gel sitting in the tissue. There's ongoing discussion in the field about whether energy devices can affect freshly placed filler, and the cautious, common approach is to avoid delivering ultrasound energy directly over fresh filler. That's why many clinicians prefer to do Sofwave first, then place filler afterward — or to separate them by a couple of weeks if both are planned close together.

Botox is generally the most flexible of the three. Because it's a small-volume injection into muscle and doesn't create much swelling, it's often the easiest to slot in. Some clinicians do Botox on the same day as Sofwave; others do it a few days apart so any temporary swelling from the ultrasound has settled and the injection points are easy to read. Botox also takes several days to kick in, so there's no rush to time it precisely with the others.

Swelling and bruising windows should not overlap if you can help it. Filler and, to a lesser degree, Sofwave can cause temporary swelling. Stacking everything on one day means every reaction lands at once, which makes it harder to tell what's settling normally versus what needs attention. Spacing treatments out gives your skin room to calm between steps.

A reasonable general framework many clinics use looks like this:

• Sofwave first: Do the lifting treatment as the foundation, since its results build over weeks.
• Botox around the same time or shortly after: Low swelling, easy to add, and it takes a few days to show anyway.
• Filler last or on a separate visit: Placing volume after the lift lets you judge how much volume you actually need once the skin has been treated, and it keeps fresh filler away from the ultrasound energy.

This isn't a rigid rule — the right order depends on your specific face, which areas you're treating, and your provider's protocol. But the underlying logic (keep energy away from fresh filler, don't pile all the swelling into one day, and let the slow-acting treatments start first) holds across most plans.

What a Sensible Schedule Might Look Like

To make this concrete, here's one common way a combined plan can be spaced out. Your provider may adjust it based on how much you're doing and where.

Some people prefer to consolidate into fewer visits, and doing Sofwave and Botox together while saving filler for a second appointment is a popular middle ground. Others space every step out. There's no single correct interval — the point is to avoid overlapping recovery windows and to keep energy-based treatment separate from fresh filler. Your provider will tailor the spacing to what you're actually getting.

Side Effects, Safety, and Downtime

Combining treatments means combining their side effect profiles, so it's worth knowing what's normal and what isn't before you book anything.

Sofwave: Temporary redness, mild swelling, or tenderness in the treated area are common and usually settle within a day or two. Because it's non-invasive ultrasound, downtime is typically minimal — most people return to normal activities the same day.

Botox: Small bruises or tenderness at injection points can happen and usually fade within a few days. Less commonly, temporary drooping of a nearby muscle can occur if the toxin spreads; this resolves on its own but should be discussed with your provider if it appears.

Filler: Swelling and bruising are the most common reactions and typically settle over several days to a couple of weeks. Rarely, filler can cause serious problems, including vascular complications if the gel affects a blood vessel. This is uncommon but is why filler should only be placed by an experienced injector.

Redness, swelling, and minor bruising across these treatments are common and usually settle on their own. But some signs need prompt attention. If you experience spreading redness, fever, severe or worsening pain, skin that turns pale or dusky, vision changes, or any symptom that feels like it's getting worse rather than better, seek medical care right away. These can be signs of a complication that needs treatment quickly.

A few people should be more cautious or avoid these treatments altogether: anyone pregnant or breastfeeding, people with active skin infections or inflammation in the treatment area, those with certain neuromuscular conditions (for Botox), and anyone with a history of severe reactions to fillers or ultrasound-based devices. Always share your full medical history at consultation. Individual results and reactions vary, and no cosmetic treatment is without trade-offs.

How to Decide What's Right for You

You don't necessarily need all three. The most useful first step is figuring out which problem is actually bothering you.

If your main concern is sagging or loss of firmness, Sofwave is the anchor treatment. If it's expression lines that appear when you move your face, Botox is the targeted tool. If it's flatness or lost volume in the cheeks, chin, or under the eyes, filler is what addresses that directly. Many people have a mix, which is exactly why combination plans exist — but the plan should follow your face, not a checklist.

A consultation is genuinely the most efficient way to sort this out. A provider can look at your skin, tell you which treatments would actually move the needle for your goals, and map out a sequence and spacing that keeps recovery manageable. Combining treatments is common and can work well — it just benefits from a plan rather than doing everything at once because it's convenient.

On cost: because a combined plan depends on how many areas you treat and which treatments you include, pricing varies quite a bit from person to person. It's best to get a specific estimate at consultation rather than assume a fixed number. You can see current offers on our promotions page and details on pricing.

The Bottom Line

Here's the short version if you want the recap:

• Sofwave, Botox, and filler work on different layers — lifting, movement, and volume — which is why they can complement each other.
• Order and spacing matter: a common approach is Sofwave first (with Botox nearby), then filler later or on a separate visit, keeping ultrasound energy away from fresh filler.
• Don't pile every treatment's swelling into one day. Separating recovery windows makes healing easier to read and manage.
• You may not need all three — the right plan follows what your face actually needs, not a full menu.

Like any procedure, combining treatments comes with trade-offs, and what's right for one person isn't right for everyone. Individual results vary.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your skin, your goals, and your budget. If you're considering Sofwave with Botox and filler, a consultation is the best way to find out what fits you and how to sequence it safely. BeautyStone is a dermatology clinic in Seoul's Hapjeong area — see current offers at /en/promotion.