How long does swelling last after lifting, and how can I reduce it?
How long swelling lasts after lifting depends on the treatment; it is managed by not rubbing the area and avoiding alcohol and saunas for 1 week.
Lifting Downtime & Care · Q18
Lifting Downtime & Care · Q17
Lifting Downtime by Treatment: Swelling, Bruising, Soreness
Question: How much downtime does each lifting treatment have?
Short answer
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.
Key points
- Ulthera swelling usually resolves within 3 to 72 hours (clinical data)
- Thermage swelling usually within 5 days, may last several weeks
- Thread lift edema generally 2 to 4 weeks, bruising 1 to 3 weeks
- For Onda and Shurink, guidance is given in consultation instead of figures
- All periods are general ranges and vary by person
How much downtime does Ultherapy PRIME have?
Ulthera clinical studies reported generally mild, temporary reactions, with redness usually resolving within a few hours and swelling within 3 to 72 hours.
According to the instructions for use, welts usually resolved within 1 week, post-treatment discomfort within 2 hours to 2 days, and tenderness to the touch and occasional bruising within 2 days to 2 weeks. The manufacturer explains that daily activities can be resumed after treatment.
Rarely, nerve effects such as temporary numbness or tingling can occur, and they were reported to usually resolve within 2 to 6 weeks. Durations vary from person to person.
| Treatment | Redness | Swelling | Bruising and tenderness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultherapy PRIME (clinical) | Usually within a few hours | Usually 3 to 72 hours | Tenderness and bruising 2 days to 2 weeks |
| Thermage FLX (manufacturer) | Usually within 24 hours | Usually within 5 days, possibly several weeks | Neck lumps usually 1 to 2 weeks |
| Onda and Shurink Universe | Explained in consultation | Explained in consultation | Explained in consultation |
| Thread lift (research) | No figure available | Generally 2 to 4 weeks | Bruising 1 to 3 weeks |
How much downtime does Thermage FLX have?
The manufacturer of Thermage describes downtime as minimal, but notes that redness usually resolves within 24 hours and swelling usually within 5 days, and can last up to several weeks.
The manufacturer's safety information also mentions rare reactions such as burns, blisters and scabs, numbness and tingling, and lumps under the skin mainly in the neck area. Lumps in the neck are described as usually resolving within 1 to 2 weeks.
Even though the manufacturer describes little downtime, the degree of reaction differs from person to person, so if you have an important event, it is a good idea to mention it in advance during the consultation.
What about Onda and Shurink Universe?
Manufacturer figures for recovery periods were not found for Onda and Shurink Universe, so guidance is given during the consultation based on the general types of reaction and your condition.
A HIFU meta-analysis reported that common adverse reactions were redness, edema, bruising and tenderness, and that they were generally mild to moderate. Shurink Universe is also a HIFU device, but the durations in the Ulthera instructions for use are not applied to it directly.
For Onda, a study of East Asian patients reported only mild, temporary side effects, but evaluation of long-term safety is described as still lacking.
How much downtime does a thread lift have?
Studies report that after a thread lift, edema generally settled within 2 to 4 weeks and bruising within 1 to 3 weeks without special treatment, so recovery tends to take longer than with device-based lifting.
Visible threads, skin dimpling and thread migration that remain beyond 4 weeks are classed as late complications and need to be checked separately. CELITA Clinic advises not opening the mouth wide or laughing broadly for 2 weeks after a thread lift.
CELITA Clinic's official FAQ recommends that, if you are traveling, treatments that can cause bruising or swelling such as a thread lift be done on the last day of your trip.
FAQ
What should I avoid during downtime?
CELITA Clinic's general aftercare advice is to avoid alcohol, smoking, saunas, swimming and strenuous exercise for 1 week and not to rub the treated area. Gentle face washing and makeup are recommended from 2 to 3 hours after treatment.
Can I choose the day of treatment with downtime in mind?
CELITA Clinic is open until 8 p.m. on weekdays and until 5 p.m. on weekends, so you can book to fit your schedule. It is a good idea to check the expected reactions for each treatment during the consultation before choosing a date.
What if it lasts longer than the period I was told?
If swelling or tingling continues beyond the expected period, or if you have symptoms such as blisters, changes in vision or difficulty speaking, contact the clinic. You can reach it through the main phone number or the messenger channel you used to book.
Important
This article is general medical information, not a diagnosis or treatment. Results, recovery time and side effects vary with each person's skin, and whether a treatment suits you is decided after consultation with a doctor. If you notice unusual symptoms, contact the clinic that treated you right away.
Sources
All questions in Lifting Downtime & Care
- Q17. How much downtime does each lifting treatment have?
- Q18. 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?
- Q20. Is soreness or tingling after HIFU lifting normal?
- Q21. 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?
- Q23. 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?