Swelling is common to experience up to two weeks after the procedure. Yet, many bounce back after a few days. Some experience longer-than-usual swelling. These are outliers and aren't representative of the whole.
Ultherapy Recovery: The First Two Weeks
Although I didn't experience any downtime from Ultherapy treatment, there were some invisible swelling and mild tenderness to recover from in the first two weeks.
Ultherapy Side Effects
These can include swelling, redness, soreness, bruising, and numbness or tingling. The treated skin areas can sometimes become flushed or red in the hours after the procedure, and short-term sensations including tingling, swelling, and tenderness may occur.
There is virtually no recovery time.
Since Ultherapy is not surgery and not invasive, your recovery after a 60-90 minute in-office procedure is virtually immediate. You will need someone to drive you home after the procedure, but most times you can go about your day the same day as the procedure.
You can expect none or some of the following symptoms immediately after the procedure. These symptoms may persist for up to four weeks. Most patients have very mild symptoms but, as with any medical procedure, each patient experiences it uniquely. Symptoms always subside over time.
Do not use the following products 3 days before or 3 days after your treatment or until pinkness has subsided): Retin-A, retinoids, or similar vitamin A compounds, harsh scrubs or exfoliating products and bleaching creams. Avoid tanning or prolonged sun exposure 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after treatment.
To this day, Ulthera maintains that “no permanent injuries to facial nerves have been reported” from Ultherapy procedures. Ultherapy users have also reported eye damage following the procedure.
Thermage is better for patients who care more about addressing the texture and quality of sagging skin. It has the power to tackle problematic issues like cellulite or drooping fat thanks to its emphasis on contouring. However, Ultherapy is generally more effective when it comes to stimulating deeper skin layers.
Ultherapy treatments stimulate the skin from the inside out to smooth and tighten many areas, including the face, jowls, eyes, and brow. Ultherapy is also effective for lifting the skin on specific areas of the body, including the neck, chest, knees, and stomach.
Ultherapy Aftercare
The swelling shouldn't last longer than a few days, but you can help to keep swelling at bay by sleeping with your head elevated on a few pillows and avoiding strenuous exercise immediately after the treatment. You shouldn't see too much bruising after an Ultherapy treatment.
But they all have this follow-up question: “Does Ultherapy hurt?” In general, Ultherapy doesn't cause pain. Because this treatment uses ultrasound energy to trigger skin tightening, patients will feel a heating sensation and tingling below the dermis.
Your face may be swollen and bruised. It may take 5 to 7 days for the swelling to go down, and 10 to 14 days for the bruising to fade. It may be hard to eat at first.
Sleep on an extra pillow at night to help reduce the swelling for the first four days after the procedure. Apply a cool compress or a wrapped ice pack for 15 minutes every one to two hours as needed, during the first 24 to 48 hours.
Jennifer Aniston, Christie Brinkley, Vanessa Williams, and Paulina Porizkova are just a few of the stars who use Ultherapy as their go-to alternative to old-school facelifts. If you've ever wondered how everyone in Hollywood is all endlessly youthful—but still natural—it's probably Ultherapy.
When Used Together. Ultherapy and Sculptra work synergistically with each other. While Sculptra adds volume to the face, Ultherapy lifts and tightens the skin. Both modalities stimulate collagen production, so there's a definite advantage to having both.
Facetite is minimally invasive & performed through poke hole incisions while Ultherapy is non-invasive. Facetite results are seen with one treatment while Ultherapy typically requires a series of treatments. Facetite is a comfortable procedure while Ultherapy, in general, has mild to modest discomfort.
Collagen is a protein that contains structural fiber that firms the skin and gives elasticity properties. Ulthera slows down the aging process by stimulating collagen production. This helps the skin to maintain a youthful appearance for at least 2 more years. Ultherapy is a natural procedure with very few side effects.
However, although it can cost over $4,000 for a full-face treatment, the price can be lowered depending on the specific area or areas you want treated. Most patients who undergo Ultherapy are so satisfied by the results that they don't consider the cost a waste of money.
Unlike CoolSculpting, Ultherapy doesn't destroy fat cells. Instead, this procedure uses ultrasound energy to stimulate the buildup of collagen which can result in some tightening and toning of the loose skin. Over 2-3 months, patients who receive this treatment see noticeable results which can last up to 6 months.
What can I take if I have discomfort after my Ultherapy® treatment? Please DO NOT TAKE any NSAIDS like Aspirin, Motrin, Aleve, Advil, Naproxyn, etc. They will stop inflammation and will bring in a suboptimal results.
Post Treatment Instructions for Ulthera
Wash skin with cool water and a gentle cleanser. No other harsh products for one week. If the skin is slightly pink or red in areas following the treatment, avoid hot water when washing or showering until the 'blush' has subsided (usually within an hour).
A: Ulthera will not affect thyroid nodules
The thyroid area is avoided because of the cartilage that is close by. It has nothing to do with the thyroid gland.
This treatment is not painful, but you may experience a warm sensation beneath the surface of the skin due to collagen stimulation. However, before your treatment, we will apply a topical numbing cream to completely remove any chances of discomfort.
You'll be able to wash your face and wear make up pretty much right away. But you might want to hold off on applying strong, irritating ingredients for a few days or until you get the go-ahead from your surgeon. The skin is often red and tender after the treatment.