One of the advantages of cosmetic treatments like Botox® and dermal fillers is their minimally invasive approach to enhancing your appearance. But even the smallest needle can cause significant bruising. A bruise forms underneath your skin when a blood vessel is damaged and bleeds into the surrounding tissue. This leads to visible purple, black, or red skin discoloration that can take weeks to fade.
At SkinMD, our experienced team makes it easy to include Botox or dermal fillers in your regular beauty routine. We also take extra steps needed to minimize your risk of bruising at each of our convenient locations in Orland Park Evergreen Park, and Chicago, Illinois. One essential part of this process is using special numbing creams during your procedure to constrict the blood vessels in your face.
We also recommend following these five steps before and after your appointment to guarantee the best results possible.
1. Review your medications
The first step to avoiding bruising from a cosmetic procedure involves checking your medications. Before your procedure, tell us about any medicine you take that might have a thinning effect on your blood. These drugs can include both prescription or over-the-counter medications and supplements, such as:
- Coumadin®, Eliquis®, Pradaxa®, and Lovenox®
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, like aspirin and Advil® (ibuprofen)
- Flaxseed oil
- Fish oil
- Other omega-3 supplements
Some herbal supplements, like St. John’s wort, can also thin your blood and increase your chances of bruising from a cosmetic procedure.
2. Take supplements
Just like some medications and supplements can increase your risk of bruising, others can help reduce it, like Arnica montana. This homeopathic supplement comes in various forms, including oral pellets and topical gels, ointments, or creams. For maximum results, we might recommend taking Arnica montana orally in the days leading up to your procedure and continuing with tablets or topical therapies afterward.
We can provide detailed information on vitamins and supplements, along with how to take them based on your individual needs.
3. Pass on the alcohol
Alcohol increases blood flow throughout your entire body by temporarily relaxing and expanding your blood vessels. This increased blood flow can significantly increase the possibility of bruising or bleeding at your treatment sites. Don’t worry, though, you don’t have to give up alcohol permanently. If you’re having a cosmetic procedure like Botox or dermal filler injections, be sure to avoid consuming any alcohol the night before and the day of your treatment.
4. Elevate the area
After your appointment, it’s tempting to head home and lie down to nap or watch television. But lying flat on your back can increase your chances of swelling and bruising.
For the first 2-3 days after having Botox or dermal fillers, keep your head raised higher than your heart and apply ice regularly. Not only will this keep swelling down, but ice makes your blood vessels constrict, which reduces bleeding.
After the third day, switch from applying ice to heat to increase blood flow and flush damaged cells from the treatment site.
5. Avoid vigorous exercise
In most cases, having a cosmetic procedure like Botox or dermal fillers doesn’t require any downtime. However, while you heal you should avoid rigorous activities that increase your heart rate, blood flow, and blood pressure. That’s because these activities can be hard on blood vessels damaged during your treatment. Instead, take a break from the gym or skip Boot Camp and choose gentler exercise options, such as walking.
For more tips on how to avoid bruising with Botox and dermal filler injections, call us at SkinMD or schedule an appointment online today.
