Does scalp numbness and tingling go away or could it be permanent damage?

Question

I had ultherapy treatment almost two months ago and am still feeling numbness and tingling in my scalp, especially on the left side. I see from your responses to another patient, this should subside in a few days, but could last up to 6 weeks. It has already been 8 weeks and doesn't feel like it is getting better. Could this be permanent? My doctor has recommended steroids. Will this help?

Robert Nemerofsky, MD · Answer

Numbness in the scalp after Ultherapy treatment to the brow region is due to irritation of the supraorbital nerve which is purely a sensory nerve and has no motor function. Unlike surgery, there is no cutting and thus the risk of any permanent injury is almost nil. Ultherapy works by generating heat beneath the skin to help stimulate collagen, unfortunately the supraorbital nerve is very close to the area being treated. The nerve can sometimes be irritated or bruised as a result. The fact that it continues to improve after 6 weeks, means that it is NOT permanent. Nerves can take up to 2 years to completely heal, but this is usually from a complete transaction. I typically do not give steroids to my patients for this and simply assure them that it will improve. I know it can be troublesome and worrisome for you as the patient, but this is not uncommon. In fact, I tell all of my patients that you will have some discomfort in the scalp region after the procedure, but it will eventually resolve. In the 7 years that I have been performing Ultherapy I have not had any permanent nerve injury.

Does scalp numbness and tingling go away or could it be permanent damage?

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Does scalp numbness and tingling go away or could it be permanent damage?

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Everything you need to know about Ultherapy

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.