Ultherapy® – Making National Headlines!

Pre Procedure Instructions:

• Stop any medications that thin your blood, as bruising is possible. If you are unsure about whether your medications are blood thinners please review this with our providers prior to your treatment. Over the counter medications like aspirin, daily large dose anti-inflammatories and fish oil supplements may also exacerbate bruising and should be discontinued.
• We highly recommend starting arnica montana, an oral homeopathic supplement which has been shown to reduce bruising and swelling. You should start 3-5 days prior to the procedure and continue for up to two weeks following the procedure if you do experience bruising.
• It is recommended that pre-procedural analgesics be discussed with your provider.

During the Procedure:

• During your treatment a variety of ultrasound transducers (the hand piece which delivers the ultrasound energy) may be used. Each transducer treats different tissue depths, from deep to shallow. The deep transducer is usually applied first and you will feel more sensation than the shallower transducers.
• The sensation can be likened to a Fourth of July Sparkler “spark” touching the surface of your skin – fine sparks of heat that dissipate immediately. Most patients find the sensation unpleasant but tolerable. You can ask for a fan which will allow you to direct cold air where you need it. This helps tremendously with the level of sensation. There are many adjustments which can be made through the treatment if you find yourself sensitive. Please let your provider know how you are feeling so we can make those adjustments as necessary.
• Some patients experience a toothache type discomfort for several minutes after an area has been treated. The pre-procedural analgesic of choice will help considerably. Immediately after the procedure the treated area may look slightly pink like you have had a facial. Rarely, some spots of bruising may be already visible, but typically bruising is not evident until 2-5 days after the session.
• To minimize risk of bruising we will give you ice packs and recommend icing and holding pressure on your cheeks and jawline for about 10 minutes after the session. If your forehead was treated you may have a mild headache, stinging, or hair pulling sensation in your scalp following the treatment. When this occurs it usually last less than 24 hours but on rare occasions can continue to be sporadically bothersome for up to a week.

What to expect after the procedure:

• You may experience some of the following symptoms for up to 4 weeks following the procedure. Most patients have very mild symptoms but, as with any medical procedure, each patient experiences it uniquely.
• The treated area may be slightly pink for up to a few hours.
• Bruising, swelling and tenderness can occur in the treated area. Bruising may not be evident for several days following the treatment and often is greenish in color by the time it becomes visible. 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 (usually the muscle which pulls the corner of the mouth downward). When this occurs it is always temporary and usually resolves within three weeks.

Aftercare Instructions:

With the exception of possible bruising there is no downtime after your Ultherapy. You will be able to return to your normal daily routine and exercise program immediately after the procedure. You may immediately apply makeup following the treatment and there are no post-procedure limitations on activity.

Results of the procedure:

There are two phases of correction after Ultherapy: collagen contracture and collagen stimulation. 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.

Schedule My Consultation

If you’re ready to schedule your Ultherapy or simply want to learn more about the procedure, our doctors can give you the answers and reassurance you need to make the decision that’s right for you. To schedule your private consultation, call 212-628-7300.

212-628-7300