When should I postpone or avoid a lifting treatment?
Lifting is postponed or not performed if there are wounds or severe acne in the area, or an implanted device such as a pacemaker.
Safety & Aftercare · Q46
Safety & Aftercare · Q48
Lifting side effects: common reactions and rare effects
Question: What are the side effects of lifting treatments?
Short answer
The common side effects of lifting are redness, swelling, bruising and tenderness when pressed, and they are generally temporary. Burns or blisters, nerve symptoms such as numbness or tingling, and uneven skin surface have rarely been reported, and duration and severity vary between individuals. If symptoms last longer than expected or seem unusual, contact the clinic where you were treated.
Key points
- Common: redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness; mostly temporary
- Ultherapy studies: nerve symptoms usually resolved in 2-6 weeks
- Thermage maker: redness ~24 hours, swelling usually within 5 days
- Thread lifts: skin dimpling and visible threads also reported
- Contact the clinic if symptoms last longer than expected
What are the common side effects after lifting?
The common side effects after lifting are redness (erythema), swelling (edema), bruising and tenderness when pressed, generally reported as mild to moderate.
In a HIFU (ultrasound) lifting meta-analysis, the common adverse reactions were redness, edema, swelling, bruising and tenderness, reported as generally mild to moderate. Pain during treatment is reported as moderate, with large individual differences.
Duration differs by device, area and individual. Figures for one device cannot be applied directly to another, so it is a good idea to check the guidance for the device you were treated with.
| Type | Common reactions | Rarely reported |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound (Ultherapy) | Redness, swelling, linear welts, tenderness, bruising | Nerve symptoms, burns, nodules, changes in vision |
| Radiofrequency (Thermage FLX) | Pain during treatment, redness, swelling | Burns or blisters, uneven surface, numbness or tingling |
| Thread lift | Swelling, bruising | Skin dimpling, visible threads, infection, thread extrusion |
What reactions have been reported after Ultherapy?
According to the Ultherapy PRIME instructions for use, the side effects reported in face and neck clinical studies were mild and temporary.
Redness usually resolved within a few hours, swelling usually within 3-72 hours and linear welts usually within 1 week. Discomfort after treatment may last from 2 hours to 2 days, and tenderness to touch and occasional bruising for about 2 days to 2 weeks.
Inflammation of motor or sensory nerves can cause temporary localized muscle weakness, numbness or tingling, which was reported to usually resolve within 2-6 weeks. Burns can occur with improper technique and may leave scars. After marketing, nerve symptoms lasting several months, nodules, volume loss and changes in vision have also been reported, but because these are voluntary reports, their frequency cannot be estimated.
What reactions occur after Thermage FLX?
According to Thermage FLX safety information, the most common effect during treatment is mild to moderate pain, and redness and swelling are common after treatment.
It explains that redness usually resolves within 24 hours and swelling usually within 5 days, though it can last up to several weeks.
It also notes rare possibilities of burns from heating of the upper skin layers, blisters or scabs and scarring, as well as uneven skin surface more than 1 month after treatment, numbness, tingling or temporary paralysis lasting up to several weeks, subcutaneous lumps mainly in the neck (usually resolving within 1-2 weeks) and darkening of the skin (usually resolving within several months).
What side effects have been reported with thread lifts?
In a thread lift meta-analysis, swelling and bruising were common, and skin dimpling, visible or palpable threads, abnormal sensations, infection and thread extrusion were reported.
A meta-analysis of 26 studies reported swelling in 35%, skin dimpling in 10%, abnormal sensations in 6%, visible or palpable threads in 4%, infection in 2% and thread extrusion in 2%. The risk of complications was higher with non-absorbable threads and in people aged 50 or older.
CELITA Clinic advises not opening your mouth wide or laughing broadly for 2 weeks after a thread lift, and explains that small dimple-like indentations become natural as swelling goes down. Symptoms that may not resolve on their own, such as infection or thread extrusion, may need treatment.
Which symptoms mean I should contact the clinic?
Contact the clinic where you were treated right away if symptoms continue beyond the expected period, or if you have burns or blisters, changes in vision or difficulty speaking.
A check is also needed if numbness, tingling or localized muscle weakness lasts longer than expected, or if infection, thread extrusion or irregular contours are suspected after a thread lift.
CELITA Clinic provides aftercare cards in each language, and after treatment you can contact the clinic at the main number, 051-928-0409, or through the messaging channel you used to book.
FAQ
Do all side effects need treatment at a clinic?
Most temporary reactions, such as redness or mild swelling, are reported to settle over time. However, if they last longer or get worse, have them checked at the clinic.
Is there anything I can do before treatment to reduce side effects?
It helps to share all your medications, supplements, previous treatments and whether you have any implanted devices. CELITA Clinic checks your skin before treatment with AI skin analysis and an ultrasound probe.
What should I be careful about in daily life after treatment?
CELITA Clinic advises avoiding alcohol, smoking, saunas, swimming and strenuous exercise for 1 week and not rubbing the treated area. Gentle cleansing and makeup are fine after 2-3 hours.
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.