Anyone who has ever had a bruise, which is just about everyone, knows how unsightly the sub-dermal splotches can be. Whether you jab your hip on the corner of your kitchen counter or can’t remember running into anything at all, bruises seem to be an unavoidable fact of life. While painful and ugly, even the worst bruising eventually fades. But, when bruises appear on your face, you want them gone before they even happen.

Bruising on your face? Yep. While dermal fillers and Botox are incredibly effective at reversing the signs of aging, they do sometimes come with an unfortunate side effect: bruising. A bruise, or hematoma, happens when small blood vessels burst and the contents seep into the soft tissue beneath the skin. Facial bruising most commonly occurs on the upper lip, under the eyes, and in the tear troughs. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to reduce swelling and decrease the likelihood of bruising post-treatment.

1. Stop taking blood thinners

A week before your dermal filler or Botox appointment, stop taking blood-thinning medications and supplements. Blood thinners can make bruising more likely. A list of medications and supplements to avoid include:

• Aspirin

• Ibuprofen

• Advil

• Aleve

• Naproxen

• Excedrin

• Motrin

• St. John’s Wort

• Ginkgo biloba

• Ginseng

• Flaxseed oil

• Cod liver oil

• Fish oil

• CoQ10

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin E

If you need to take pain medication in the week leading up to your appointment, opt for Tylenol. If you’re taking any of the above medications at the suggestion of your primary care physician, be sure to discuss this with your doctor as well as the practitioner who administers your injection. It’s important to have these conversations prior to treatment.

2. Avoid drinking alcohol

Wine, beer, and liquor, even in small amounts, can have a dramatic effect on the size of your blood vessels. Alcohol is known as a “vasodialator,” which means it enlarges the blood vessels and makes bruising more likely. Avoid drinking alcohol for two days prior to getting dermal fillers or Botox injections and for several days after.

3. Eat pineapple

Not only does it taste great blended into a smoothie, but pineapple also contains enzymes that may help prevent bruising. Eat pineapple two to three times a day in the days following your dermal filler or Botox appointment. The evidence of it working is anecdotal, but it doesn’t hurt to try!

4. Don’t touch the injection sites

Try not to touch or massage the treatment area for at least 24 hours after receiving dermal fillers or Botox injections. Even the slightest amount of pressure can cause added trauma to the blood vessels, which encourages bruising.

5. Apply a cold compress

Use a cold pack before, during, and after treatment. Ice constricts the blood vessels to help reduce swelling and minimize bruising. Lightly hold the compress wrapped in a clean towel against the treatment site for five to ten minutes every hour.

6. Prop your head with a pillow

The first night after receiving dermal fillers or Botox injections, sleep with two pillows under your head. Like applying a cold pack, this simple adjustment helps reduce swelling and decrease your chance of bruising.

7. Take arnica

Holistic practitioners commonly use this homeopathic remedy to treat bruising and soreness. Arnica comes as a supplement and a gel. If you’re taking a supplement, take them four days before treatment and four days after to minimize bruising. If using gel, apply it gently to the treatment site with clean hands every one to two hours for at least the first 24 hours.

Dermal fillers and Botox injections in San Diego

While there are a few pre- and post-treatment things you can do on your own to prevent bruising from dermal fillers and Botox injections, it’s also important to see an experienced injector. An expert and credentialed injector will have used a wide variety of injectables and have mastered a precise technique that minimizes bruising and other side effects.

At Siti Med Spa, our highly trained practitioners have performed hundreds of dermal filler and Botox injections with incredible results. Whether you want to stop the signs of aging in their tracks or restore lost volume in your lips or cheeks, our goal is to provide you with gorgeous, natural-looking results that make you feel radiant.

Call us today to schedule a consultation at (619) 717-8484.