Day-by-day recovery
What to expect —
from treatment day to week two.
Day of treatment
Mild redness and sensitivity — normal
Expect mild redness, slight swelling, and skin sensitivity immediately after the session. This is a normal response to the focused ultrasound energy — the skin has been treated at depth. Avoid makeup, active skincare, and heat. Apply only gentle moisturiser if needed. Rest. The redness fades within 2–4 hours for most clients.
Days 1–2
Tenderness and possible mild swelling
Some clients experience tenderness to touch around the jaw and cheekbones — particularly where bony areas were treated at higher intensity. Mild swelling is possible. Both are normal and expected. Avoid strenuous exercise, sun exposure, and heat. You can return to work. Light makeup can be worn from day 2.
Days 3–7
Settling — most visible reactions resolve
By day 3–4, redness and swelling should be fully resolved for most clients. Some clients notice a mild tingling or numbness sensation around the jaw area — this is temporary nerve sensitivity from the ultrasound energy and resolves within 1–2 weeks. Gradually reintroduce skincare actives from day 5 — watch for sensitivity before applying retinoids or AHAs to treated areas.
Week 2 onwards
Full routine resumed — results building
Return to your full skincare routine by the end of week 2. The collagen remodelling process is now underway — results build gradually and are not yet visible. Maintain daily SPF use. Avoid excessive UV exposure. First visible changes typically appear at 4–6 weeks; the clearest results at 3 months.
Normal vs concerning
What is expected —
and what warrants a call to the clinic.
✓ Normal — expected responses
Mild redness — fades within 2–4 hours for most clients
Mild swelling — particularly around jaw and cheekbones, resolves within 24–48 hours
Tenderness to touch — around treated areas for up to 7 days
Tingling or mild numbness — around jaw area for 1–2 weeks; temporary nerve sensitivity
Small red marks at shot sites — these are the ultrasound delivery points and fade within hours
Skin feeling tight — a sensation of tightness in treated areas is a positive sign of the treatment working
! Contact the clinic if you notice
Significant bruising — some bruising is possible but extensive bruising should be assessed
Blistering or burns — not expected from Ultraformer MPT when delivered correctly
Intense pain worsening after 48 hours — discomfort should decrease, not increase, over time
Skin changes spreading beyond treatment areas — redness or swelling that expands rather than contracts
Prolonged numbness beyond 3 weeks — occasional nerve sensitivity beyond 2 weeks should be discussed with the practitioner
Any fever or flu-like symptoms — systemic symptoms after a cosmetic treatment should always be assessed medically
What to avoid and when
Activities and products —
and when you can resume them.
Heat exposure — saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga
Heat increases inflammation and can prolong redness and swelling
Avoid for 48 hours
Strenuous exercise
Elevated heart rate and sweating increase inflammatory response in treated tissue
Avoid for 24–48 hours
Direct sun exposure
UV on reactive skin post-treatment can trigger hyperpigmentation
Avoid for 48 hours — SPF after that
Retinoids and AHAs
Active ingredients sensitise the skin and can cause excessive irritation on post-treatment skin
Resume from day 5–7
Makeup on treated areas
Skin pores may be slightly enlarged immediately post-treatment — heavy product increases congestion risk
Resume from day 2
Alcohol
Alcohol dilates blood vessels and can increase redness and swelling duration
Avoid for 24 hours
Blood-thinning medications (if elective)
If not medically required, aspirin and ibuprofen increase bruising risk in post-treatment tissue
Avoid for 48 hours
Protecting your results
Long-term aftercare —
how to make results last.
Ultraformer MPT results last 12–18 months. How you care for your skin in the months following treatment directly affects how long and how well those results are maintained.
Daily SPF 30+
The single most impactful aftercare step. UV exposure degrades collagen — directly counteracting what the treatment built. Apply mineral SPF every morning, reapply if outdoors.
Hydration and retinoids
Hyaluronic acid supports the collagen-building environment. Reintroduce retinoids from week 2 — they stimulate additional collagen production and extend treatment results.
Plan a 12-month maintenance session
Most clients plan a maintenance Ultraformer MPT session at the 12-month mark to sustain results. The maintenance session is often shorter and at a lower price point than the initial treatment.
Common questions
Downtime and aftercare —
what people ask.
Can I go to a social event the same evening?+
For most clients, yes — provided the event does not involve significant heat (outdoor summer events, hot restaurants) or alcohol. Redness typically fades within 2–4 hours. If you have a high-profile event the same evening, allow at least 4 hours post-treatment as a buffer. Book your appointment for the morning to give skin time to settle.
When can I get botox or fillers after Ultraformer MPT?+
Allow at least 2 weeks after your Ultraformer MPT session before any injectable treatments. The tissue needs time to settle. Conversely, if you have recently had botox or fillers, allow them to fully integrate (2 weeks minimum) before your Ultraformer MPT session.
What happens if I skip the aftercare steps?+
Skipping SPF is the most consequential omission — UV exposure in the weeks following treatment degrades newly stimulated collagen and shortens result duration. Skipping heat avoidance in the first 48 hours may prolong redness and swelling but typically doesn't affect final results. The aftercare steps exist to protect the result, not just your comfort.
My skin looks the same at 2 weeks — is something wrong?+
No. Two weeks is too early to assess Ultraformer MPT results. The collagen remodelling process takes 4–6 weeks to produce the first visible changes, with peak results at 3 months. Judging the treatment at 2 weeks is like judging a garden at day 3 of planting. Trust the timeline and maintain your aftercare routine.