Can the use of anti inflammatory drugs before treatment with Ulthera compromise the effectiveness of the procedure?

We are one of the very few clinics in California that offers both Ultherapy and Thermage and we routinely provided ibuprofen and/or intramuscular Ketorolac for pain relief and have not seen it to impact efficacy as far as lifting or skin tightening benefit of these noninvasive technologies.

One component of Ultherapy facial tightening is derived from the immediate contraction of the SMAS connective tissue layer from the heat generated by the ultrasound energy reaching this depth. This is the layer that is often sewn by plastic surgeons during a facelift procedure.  The second mechanism of facial tightening involved by Ultherapy is from collagen production, that occurs for as much as six months, or more, after the procedure.  Whether or not the reduction in inflammation caused by taking corticosteroids or nonsteroid antiinflammatory agents (Motrin [Advil], Alleve or others) during or after the procedure lessens the beneficial tightening effects of collagen production from Ultherapy, has not been studied to my knowledge, in a double blind placebo controlled study with precise measurements of tissue tightening. This is a theoretical question only at this time. In fact, despite many physicians administering these agents during the procedure to ameliorate the pain involved, many patients develop good lifting and tightening. I have seen this with my patients who have undergone Ultherapy in my NYC practice.

Anti-inflammatory medications (and sometimes other medications) are commonly given to patients before an Ultherapy treatment to help with pain during the procedure.  I do not believe that having anti-inflammatory medication 5 days before your Ultherapy treatment would have any negative effect on your result.