I had Ultherapy on Saturday and a day or two later took Ibuprofen for a headache. Will it affect my results?

Question

Also can I continue taking vitamins including fish oil after procedure ?.....Thank you

Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS · Answer

While taking ibuprofen may cause some bruising, it is unlikely to impact your results.  It will take time for the thermal ( heat) areas to transform into collagen and result in tightening.  That will take 3 months at least. Sincerely, 
Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS
Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Paul Flashner, MD · Answer

Great question! Taking ibuprofen once or twice for a headache post treatment will not be detrimental to your results but you might not want to be taking it consistently.  Actually, it is recommended to take 800mg Ibuprofen one hour prior to Ultherapy for pain reduction during the treatment and in clinical trials that has not impacted results.  However, Ultherapy uses micro-focused ultrasound energy to create a thermal injury directly into the collagen layer of the skin which causes inflammation and ultimately the healing response is what causes the tightening result we see in the skin. If you consistently, on a daily basis, take an anti-inflammatory medication you could be prematurely reducing  the inflammatory response that Ultera produces, and conceptually at least, this could give you less than optimal results.  Although I am not aware of any studies that document this, I just wouldn't recommend taking daily anti-inflammatories after Ultherapy.   
Hope that helps,
Paul Flashner, MD

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

No, ibuprofen and your supplements won't negatively impact your results. Keep in mind, a combination approach would give the most improvement with Ultherapy. I recommend Ultherapy with RF treatments, lasers, microneedling/PRP or sculptra to get increased collagen, tightening and improve skin tone.  I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Norman M. Rowe, MD · Answer

Good afternoon and thank you for your question,Ibuprofen taken after Ultherapy can potentially cause additional bruising but it should have no negative impact on the results of the treatment.Have a nice day.

Grant Stevens, MD · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question! We do not find that patients taking a few doses of Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories have much of an influence on results overall. Ideally you wouldn't take large doses of them or steroids. We have never advised against resuming supplements after treatments, except maybe those that are know to have very potent anti-inflammatory effects. You can look forward to wonderful lifting and tightening to occur over the next 6 months or so! Our patients love their Ultherapy results! Best, Dr. Grant Stevens

Sheryl D. Clark, MD, FAAD · Answer

Dear Michelle4444:Congratulations on deciding to have Ultherapy for tightening and lifting your skin and improving skin texture! You did not mention if you are treating lip lines, forehead furrows, jowling, smile lines, eyelid wrinkles, neck or chest lines, abdominal or arm laxity, or trying to lift your brows. No matter what area you treated, taking ibuprofen for one day will not affect your results, although it is best to take Tylenol for pain rather than aspirin or ibuprofen for the next few months.Be patient and you should be happy in three to six months even though you took ibuprofen for a headache!I will be demonstrating Ultherapy and offering free consults, discounts, and a few lines of treatment to anyone who wants to see what the treatment is like on the 25th.All the best,   Dr. Clark

Manu B. Aggarwal, MD · Answer

Taking ibuprofen (Advil, motrin, Alleve, naproxen, etc.) after Ultherapy may cause some additional bruising in the treated areas (though not well-studied or documented). However, it is safe and should not affect results. If you feel you are needing to take it regularly for a few days after your treatment, I would suggest getting in touch with your treatment provider and discuss your symptoms.

Lisa Vuich, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Your limited dose of Ibuprofen would not be expected to affect your Ultherapy results. I would however avoid anti inflammatories (including the fish oil) for 12 weeks to be sure you do not interfere with the effects of the treatment. Tylenol products are fine to use as needed.
Best,
Lisa Vuich, MD

I had Ultherapy on Saturday and a day or two later took Ibuprofen for a headache. Will it affect my results?

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