Alcohol after Ulthera: how many days after treatment can you drink?

The standard for alcohol after Ulthera is to avoid it for about a week after treatment. Ulthera concentrates heat in the deep layers of the skin to create small thermal coagulation points, so if alcohol dilates blood vessels, internal swelling and bruising can become larger and last longer. The day of treatment and the next day are when swelling is especially noticeable, so it is best to avoid drinking at that time.

Alcohol after Ulthera: why should you avoid it?

Ulthera focuses ultrasound at set depths within the skin to create thermal coagulation points in the fascia layer and dermis. While these areas recover, a mild inflammatory response and internal swelling occur in the surrounding tissue. Alcohol dilates blood vessels and makes the body retain water, which can increase this swelling and slow how quickly it goes down.

Small bruises that form where blood vessels pass also tend to spread when you drink. Rubbing your face or sleeping face down while drunk puts pressure on the treated area, which is another reason to avoid it.

Alcohol after Ulthera: what should you do at each stage?

At our Suwon clinic, we advise avoiding saunas, drinking, peeling treatments, and scrub products for about a week after Ulthera. From the day of treatment through about three days, swelling and throbbing are most noticeable, so avoid alcohol, and after that, the basic rule is not to drink heavily until a week has passed.

If swelling and bruising have subsided after a week, you can drink as usual, but if the jaw or cheekbone area still hurts when pressed, it is best to cut back for a few more days. If you have a scheduled drinking occasion such as a work dinner or wedding, let us know during consultation, and we recommend scheduling the treatment earlier.

Care to follow along with avoiding alcohol after Ulthera

You can wash your face and wear makeup right after the procedure, and for 3 days, wash with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser. Pay attention to sun protection and moisturizing, and also take about a week off from exercise that makes you sweat heavily and saunas. Swelling may last from a few days to longer, depending on the person.

Rarely, if white line-shaped marks appear, swelling and pain get worse day by day, or a feeling of numbness in part of the face lasts a long time, please contact the clinic. If you are taking blood-thinning medication, please let us know before the procedure.

Swelling after Ulthera in Suwon: how many days does it last and how can it be reduced?

View Ulthera treatment information

FAQ

Q. Is one glass of beer okay on the day of Ulthera?

A. It is best not to drink even a small amount on the day of treatment. Right after the procedure is when internal swelling builds up, so if alcohol dilates blood vessels, swelling and bruising can get worse, and the effect shows more clearly on your face the next morning. It is best to avoid drinking occasions for about three days.

Q. Does drinking after Ulthera reduce its effect?

A. It is hard to say that alcohol stops collagen regeneration; the main problem is that swelling and bruising become larger and last longer. However, frequent heavy drinking and smoking can burden skin recovery, so the standard is to take a break for about a week.

Q. I drank after Ulthera and my face is very swollen.

A. Sleeping with your head raised and gently applying a cold pack wrapped in a towel may help, and avoid alcohol for the rest of the period. If the swelling does not decrease after three days or pain and warmth get worse, an examination is needed, so please contact the clinic.