Lifting Downtime & Care
Swelling, bruising, tenderness, makeup, exercise timing and when to call us.
8 questions
Q17. How much downtime does each lifting treatment have?
Lifting downtime depends on the type of treatment: in Ulthera studies swelling usually lasted 3 to 72 hours, the Thermage manufacturer says swelling usually settles within 5 days, and for thread lifts edema is reported to generally settle within 2 to 4 weeks. Most manufacturers explain that daily activities are possible after treatment, but the degree of swelling and bruising varies from person to person. At CELITA Clinic, the expected recovery period for each treatment is explained during the consultation.
Read more: How much downtime does each lifting treatment have?Q18. How long does swelling last after lifting, and how can I reduce it?
Swelling after lifting lasts different lengths of time depending on the treatment: usually 3 to 72 hours in Ulthera studies, usually within 5 days according to the Thermage manufacturer, and generally 2 to 4 weeks in thread lift studies. To reduce swelling, do not rub the treated area, avoid alcohol, smoking, saunas and strenuous exercise for 1 week, and use cold compresses as advised by the medical team. Duration and degree vary from person to person.
Read more: How long does swelling last after lifting, and how can I reduce it?Q19. What should I do if I get a bruise after a lifting treatment?
Bruising is one of the common reactions after lifting; in Ulthera studies occasional bruising settled within 2 days to 2 weeks, and in thread lift studies it generally settled within 1 to 3 weeks. Usual care is to apply a cloth-wrapped cold pack for the first 1 to 2 days and not to rub the treated area. Ordinary bruises usually improve within 2 to 3 weeks, and if a bruise has not gone after 3 weeks or the skin color changes unusually, contact the clinic.
Read more: What should I do if I get a bruise after a lifting treatment?Q20. Is soreness or tingling after HIFU lifting normal?
Soreness, tenderness to the touch and temporary tingling after HIFU (ultrasound) lifting are reactions reported in clinical studies. Ulthera clinical data reported that post-treatment discomfort resolved within 2 hours to 2 days, tenderness within 2 days to 2 weeks, and nerve effects such as tingling usually within 2 to 6 weeks. However, if symptoms last beyond these periods or you have blisters, changes in vision or difficulty speaking, contact the clinic right away.
Read more: Is soreness or tingling after HIFU lifting normal?Q21. When can I wash my face and wear makeup after a lifting treatment?
According to CELITA Clinic's general aftercare instructions, you can gently wash your face and wear makeup from 2 to 3 hours after a lifting treatment. The basics are not rubbing the treated area and combining gentle cleansing, plenty of moisturizer and sunscreen. How much redness or swelling remains and how fast you recover vary from person to person, so if you see a wound or blister on the skin, contact the clinic before applying makeup.
Read more: When can I wash my face and wear makeup after a lifting treatment?Q22. When can I exercise, drink alcohol or use a sauna after a skin treatment?
According to CELITA Clinic's general aftercare instructions, avoid alcohol, smoking, saunas, swimming and strenuous exercise for 1 week after treatment. Most daily activities such as walking can be done right away, but how long swelling or bruising remains and how fast you recover vary from person to person. There may be additional instructions depending on the type of treatment, so use the aftercare instruction card you received as your guide.
Read more: When can I exercise, drink alcohol or use a sauna after a skin treatment?Q23. What is the downtime after a thread lift, and what should I be careful about?
In studies, thread lift downtime involved swelling that mostly settled within 2 to 4 weeks and bruising within 1 to 3 weeks, generally without treatment, with individual differences. CELITA Clinic advises not opening the mouth wide or laughing broadly for 2 weeks after a thread lift, and avoiding alcohol, smoking, saunas and strenuous exercise for 1 week. It is important to tell the clinic about symptoms that may not improve on their own, such as visible threads, skin dimpling or signs of infection.
Read more: What is the downtime after a thread lift, and what should I be careful about?Q24. Which symptoms after a skin treatment mean I should contact the clinic?
After treatment, vision changes, skin at the injection site turning white, gray or bluish, and unusually severe pain are symptoms that need immediate medical attention. You should also contact the clinic for blisters or burns, swelling and heat that keep getting worse, and tingling or numbness that continues beyond the expected period. Most swelling and redness is temporary, but if things fall outside the expected course, do not wait; contact the clinic at 051-928-0409 or through the messenger you used to book.
Read more: Which symptoms after a skin treatment mean I should contact the clinic?