Ultherapy

Bruising, swelling and tenderness can occur in the treated area. Bruising may not be evident for several days following the treatment. Most common areas for bruising are along the jawline and cheekbone. Even without bruising, tenderness to the touch is expected. This is usually most evident along the jawline and cheekbone and most often noted when touching your face, washing or applying makeup. This will not interfere with eating, talking or moving your facial muscles. Irritation of peripheral sensory or motor nerves is uncommon but can happen. This can result in temporary patches of decreased sensation or some weakness of facial muscles. When this occurs it is always temporary and usually resolves within three weeks

You can expect none or some of the following symptoms immediately after the procedure. These symptoms may persist for up to four weeks. Most patients have very mild symptoms but, as with any medical procedure, each patient experiences it uniquely. Symptoms always subside over time. There have been no reports of long lasting complications. The treated area may be slightly pink for up to a few hours.

There are two phases of correction after Ultherapy. The first is collagen contracture, which literally is occurring as we perform the procedure. As a result, many patients will appreciate a subtle, but distinct, improvement in their appearance within a few days following the treatment. Ultimately the more impressive correction is from collagen stimulation. Your body responds to the pinpoint thermal injuries placed in the deep tissue by creating new collagen fibers. Collagen fiber formation can take several months, so the final results from Ultherapy may take up to 6 months.

Since the procedure stimulates a person’s own collagen production, how long the results last depends on the individual. While results appear over two to three months, they can last up to a year or more. The treatment produces new collagen on the inside, but the individual’s natural aging process will dictate how long that translates into visible results on the outside. Future touch-up treatments can help provide more control over the aging process, which varies by individual.

The majority of patients only need one treatment; however, some may benefit from more than one treatment, depending upon the severity of skin laxity they have and their body’s own biological response to the ultrasound and the collagen-building process. Follow up treatment intervals will vary but there are two ways to approach maintenance –more frequent small touch ups and less frequent full treatments.