Ultherapy Q&A
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Is Numbness a Side Effect of Ultherapy?
asked 1 year ago by East Orange3693 in East Orange, NJ
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 1,098 times
Tags: cheeks, jaw, neck, numb, side effects
I had ultherapy a few days ago and had a nerve block for pain. I am wondering whether the lingering numbness in my neck and jaw/cheeks is caused by the ultherapy or by the nerve block. I would like to know if this is a reported side effect of ultherapy and how long it is likely to last.
5 answers to Is Numbness a Side Effect of Ultherapy?
+4
Temporary numbness has occurred with ulthera
The ultrasound can hit a small sensory nerve temporarily disrupting it's function - these are relatively uncommon and have resolved over the time of a few days to weeks in the cases I've heard about. As in surgery, nerves that get pulled or injured with electrocautery usually recover over a few weeks and at times longer (months). In the same manner, sensory nerves thought to trigger the onset of migraines can as well be irritated during treatment possibly causing the potential onset...
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+3
Does Ultherapy cause numbness?
With Ultherapy, ultrasound energy is concentrated approximately 3-4 mm below the skin surface to induce new collagen formation. Any structure that runs in this space can be effected by the treatment. The small cutaneous nerves run in this space and it is not unusual for them to be effected leaving temporary numbness. We have seen this with our patients and it resolved spontaneously in about 1 month.
Joseph Campanelli, MD
Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon
Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Numbness and Ultherapy
Cases of numbness of which I've heard have all been transient for a few days to weeks and have resolved by themselves. The fine nerve endings may respond to the ultrasound heat from Ultherapy by not conducting their normal impulses until they heal. See your doctor discuss your situation.
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+1
Numbness after Ultherapy
Numbness after Ultherapy treatment is a well recognzied side effect. It is generally temporary, and usually wears off after several weeks. There is no specific treatment to help it resolve more quickly. Do not be concerned about this.
+1
Skinnumbness following Ulthera
The symptoms that you are experiencing are not from the nerve block. It is not uncommon in the period following Ulthera that you may experience transient numbness. In our practice we have not had any patients that had the symptoms persist for more than two weeks. Having had the procedure myself, I had a single area on my forehead that did affect the sensory nerve over a small portion and it was about 10 days before it resolved.
Christopher Tolan, M.D.
Saint Paul Facial Plastic Surgeon
Saint Paul Facial Plastic Surgeon
