Soft Palate Tightening (LightScalpel CO₂ Laser)

What is Soft Palate Tightening?

Soft palate tightening is a minimally invasive laser procedure that helps reduce snoring and improve sleep quality by gently stimulating collagen in the tissues of the soft palate. As the collagen remodels and strengthens, the soft palate becomes firmer and less likely to collapse or vibrate during sleep. The result is improved airway stability and quieter, more restful nights.

Why Consider Soft Palate Tightening?

A relaxed or floppy soft palate is one of the most common contributors to snoring and disrupted sleep. This treatment may be helpful for patients who experience:

  • Snoring that disrupts their own sleep or their partner's
  • Mild sleep-disordered breathing related to soft palate collapse
  • Desire for a non-surgical, comfortable treatment option

How Does It Work?

The procedure is performed using the LightScalpel CO₂ laser, which delivers gentle energy to the soft palate tissues. This stimulates natural collagen production and tissue remodeling without cutting or removing tissue. To keep the procedure comfortable, patients gargle with a liquid lidocaine solution as a topical anesthetic.

What Happens Next?

Some post-operative soreness is expected — often described as a mild-to-moderate sore throat — lasting for the rest of the day and sometimes into the next. As healing occurs, the soft palate gradually becomes firmer and more supportive. Depending on the severity of symptoms, multiple treatments may be recommended for best results. Soft palate tightening can also be combined with other therapies — such as myofunctional therapy or oral appliances — to achieve long-term improvements in airway function and sleep quality.