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Most commonly, patients experience mild redness and mild soreness in the areas treated after Ultherapy. Uncommonly, patients can experience swelling and bruising but this is a small percentage of patients. Patients who have skin sensitivies or think they have sensitive skin can develp welting / hives after treatment but resolves in 1-2 weeks with conservative over the counter remedies.
The most common side effects are swelling, bruising, tingling, numbness and tenderness in the treatment area. The swelling commonly peaks at around day three and if bruising develops its usually on the upper jawline but can present anywhere. Welts can occur using the 1.5 depth transducer and usually resolve anywhere from 20 minutes to two days.
We see welts in 30-40% of our patients after Ulthera, especially under the chin. This is related to higher energies and # of lines we use, as well as patient skin factors. It is not a complication.These last 5 -7 days and usually are not too noticeable. The occurrence of droopy mouth and droopy smile occurs in ~ 1 % of our patients and will clear in 4-5 weeks. This occurs because of muscular swelling as well as nerve inflammation (neuropraxia) of the marginal mandibular nerve (located along jawline). Although troubling, this condition always improves, but not always in 1 -2 weeks as others may report.
Welts can be a rare occurrence post Ulthera treatment, but if itdoes happen, it usually last a few hours to a couple of days. There is no wayof knowing whether or not you are specifically at risk for having welts occur,but it is a risk. If you ever have any post treatment concerns about anytreatment, it is important that you contact your physician immediately.
Hi Mrs. Kitty, How is Chester and Mr. Dillion (Gunsmoke reference)? It is not common to have welts with lines after Ulthera treatment. This occaisionally may occur. It results poor or improper contact of the transducer with the skin, or from repeated energy placed in the same spot. Fortunately the welts respond very well to ice, and usually disappear within 10 to 20 minutes. The longest that I have heard welts lasting is about 1-2 days. The lines are the "lines" from the individual Ulthera pulses. The skin may be red for an hour or two after treatment, but we have not seen any rashes in our practice. The only other side effects of Ulthera that I am aware of are temporary muscle weakness around the mouth, the longest that I have heard it lasting was about 3 weeks, and I have seen one burn in a patient treated elsewhere. The burn was a line on the cheek that eventually healed without a significant scar. As with all aesthetic treatments, be sure to choose your treating physician most carefully. See video reference below! Good luck and be well. Dr. P
