Lidocaine, does it lessen the effects?

Question

Hi, I want to have a third Ultherpy treatment but I need lidocaine shots to get through it. I've since heard the shots lesson the effectiveness of the treatment. Since it's so expensive, I want the most bang for my buck. Do the shots really make the treatment less effective? Thanks. And yes, I tried it with just the oral pain meds and that didn't work for me.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

This is not a question that can be answered with one answer.  It depends on how much local anesthetic is used and if the tissues are very swollen during the treatment vs. a small amount of anesthetic that doesn't change the thickness (temporarily) of the skin and soft tissues. On the other hand, making the area numb and allowing the patient to have a more thorough treatment can create a better result.  If the tissues are temporarily more swollen from the anesthetic (if local injections in the treated area are done compared with regional blocks done away from the exact site) the doctor may be able to provide treatment with all transducers including the 4.5mm deepest.  I have been able to accomplish this on the forehead and have had some excellent results of forehead lifting, whereas, without the local anesthetic filling out the forehead, the 4.5mm transducer is too deep as the forehead bone is closer to the skin's surface compared to the cheek and its underlying structures. This is an off-label use of the device and your physician should discuss it with you thoroughly. Also this changes a procedure that is thought not to have down time with a treatment that can have bruising and swelling afterwards from the injections.

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

If lidocaine is used as a block, it's far enough from the treatment surface that it should not practically or theoretically affect results of Ultherapy.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

It is theoretically possible that lidocaine injections might lessen the effect of Ultherapy by expanding the tissue space which would in turn lessen the density of the treatment sites. However, Ultherapy is done differently than it was until recently, with lower energy settings but better results. Most patients tolerate the treatment very well.

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Have done hundreds of cases and never used lidocaine and don't recommend it for Ultherapy as I don't thin you need it.

Daniel Shapiro, MD · Answer

Lidocaine injections should not affect the results of the Ultherapy treatment, especially in the small doses given.

Lidocaine, does it lessen the effects?

Answers (8)

Answer: Don't need lidocaine for Ultherapy

Answer: Don't need lidocaine for Ultherapy

Answer: Lidocaine, does it lessen the effects?

Answer: Lidocaine, does it lessen the effects?

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Lidocaine, does it lessen the effects?

Answers (8)

Answer: Don't need lidocaine for Ultherapy

Answer: Don't need lidocaine for Ultherapy

Answer: Lidocaine, does it lessen the effects?

Answer: Lidocaine, does it lessen the effects?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Ultherapy

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