I had Ulthera a little over 4 weeks ago and have Neuropraxia. Would steroids speed up my recovery?

Question

I, obviously, had a bad reaction to my Ultherapy. My doctor has left it up to my discretion as to whether to prescribe steroids for me. It is now 4 weeks after the procedure and my face is still twiste (it went from really bad to slight twisting (but it is very uncomfortable), my jawline is still quite sore (like it would be if it was black and blue) and I have numbness and pins and needles in my neck. I get sharp and throbbing pains in my glands from time to time.

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Neuropraxia following Ultherapy is rare and anatomically most likely near the jaw or jaw line treatment lines especially in thin people. Excessive pain in the jaw during the treatment indicates that this may be occuring and settings should be reduced to prevent this problem. Steroids can be helpful and the quicker they are initiated, the more likley it is that the problem will resolve. Talk to your doctor for more guidance. Read the Ultherapy book for more information about this procedure.

Edwin Ishoo, MD · Answer

This is a rare but reported complication of Ultherapy which aims to deliver a highly focused ultrasonic energy deep to you facial skin to create sufficient trauma to cause new collagen deposition and eventual contraction and soft tissue lift. Sometimes, such enery can stun a near by or aberrant nerve. It is difficult to offer relevant recommendation without knowing your medical history and reviewing your before and after pictures as corticosteroids are not without potential complications especially with certain comorbidities. Neuropraxia describes a peripheral nerve condition where the nerve is intact but not transmitting impulses. This may be motor or sensory. The condition is generally temporary and usually recovers within a few weeks but may be prolonged. Corticosteroids are thought to be useful in the first couple of week to reduce possible inflammation which may be compressing the nerves. I'm not certain that 4 weeks out, corticosteroids would be useful, so the pros and cons need to be discussed with your doctor. However, you may used NSAIDs such as aspirin, motrin or advil to reduce inflammation and moderate any discomfort from dysesthesia you describe.

I had Ulthera a little over 4 weeks ago and have Neuropraxia. Would steroids speed up my recovery?

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Ultherapy

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I had Ulthera a little over 4 weeks ago and have Neuropraxia. Would steroids speed up my recovery?

Answers (2)

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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.