Ultherapy side effects: what is normal, and what is not
Medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · Last reviewed · 3 min read
Most people have mild, short-lived effects after Ultherapy: redness for an hour or two, tenderness when chewing or touching the jaw, and sometimes swelling, small bruises or patches of numbness that settle over days to a few weeks. Less commonly, deep heat lands where it should not, causing a burn, a small hollow from fat loss or temporary nerve weakness. How energy and depth are planned for each area is what keeps those risks low.
Illustration. Each transducer depth targets a different layer.
Key facts
Common, settles
Redness, tenderness, mild swelling, small bruises, tingling or numbness
How long
Hours for redness; days to a few weeks for tenderness and numbness
Uncommon
Welts or burns, small depressions from fat loss, temporary nerve weakness
Lower risk with
Imaging, area-by-area depth choice, conservative plans in thin faces
See a doctor if
Blistering, open skin, worsening pain, or weakness of the smile or lip
Redness and slight swelling are expected for a few hours. Tenderness is the most common lasting effect: the jawline and cheeks may ache on chewing or pressure for several days, occasionally two or three weeks. Small bruises can appear where the transducer passed over thin skin. Some people notice tingling or a numb patch, usually along the jaw, which fades over days to weeks.
Raised lines or welts along the treatment rows sometimes appear and usually settle within days. None of these needs treatment beyond the written aftercare, and none means the treatment has gone wrong.
Less common problems and why they happen
Burns or skin marks happen when energy is delivered too superficially, with poor coupling between the transducer and the skin, or with too much overlap. Small depressions can follow when heat reaches fat that should have been spared, more likely in a face that is already lean. Temporary nerve weakness, such as an uneven smile, has been reported after deep pulses near the course of facial nerve branches; reported cases have usually recovered over weeks to months.
These risks are the reason Ultherapy is planned area by area: which transducers, how many lines, and which zones are avoided. Imaging during treatment is part of that, because it shows the layers before energy is delivered. It is also why the Ultherapy plan for a thin face differs from the plan for a heavier one.
What to do if something is not settling
Tenderness and numbness that are gradually improving can be watched. Send a photograph and a short description if a mark or welt is not fading after a week, if a numb patch is spreading, or if a hollow seems to be appearing. Blistering, open skin, or any weakness of the lip or smile should be seen promptly.
Questions after treatment come back through WhatsApp at +65 8023 7170 during clinic hours (Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm, Saturday 11am to 3pm, Singapore time). Anything that is getting worse rather than better, a blister or open area, or fever needs to be seen the same day, wherever you are.
“Most of what people feel after focused ultrasound is soreness, not harm. The planning is there for the few cases where it would be otherwise.”
Dr Sin YongOn Ultherapy safety
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually several days, occasionally two to three weeks, most noticeable along the jaw on chewing or pressure.
Uncommonly. Small depressions can follow if heat reaches fat that should have been spared, more likely in a lean face. Depth and energy are planned to avoid it.
Temporary nerve weakness has been reported after deep pulses near facial nerve branches. Reported cases have usually recovered over weeks to months.
A patch of tingling or numbness, often along the jaw, is common and usually fades over days to weeks.
It can be assessed. Bring the date, the areas treated and any record of the transducers used.
