Do you fear facial injectable treatments will leave you looking less like a knock-out and more like you’ve been knocked out? If you have experienced bruising after injectable treatments such as Botox ®, Dysport or Juvederm, black and blue marks can be a real de-motivator for repeat treatments.
So here’s the bruise news. Bruising is a common and normal side effect of injections and is caused by the blood leaking from blood vessels impacted on injection. Not everyone bruises and some patients report that they “always” bruise. Following 3 simple tips can help all patients minimize their chance of bruising – it’s as simple as a 1-2 punch.
1. Avoid blood thinning medications.
Relatively innocuous over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and Ibuprofen thin the blood and make it easier for a bruise to rise to the surface. Patients should avoid these for 7 days prior to injection treatments. If you need to take something for minor pain Tylenol or acetaminophen are better options.
2. Cut out vitamins and herbal supplements.
Natural doesn’t mean safe. Chinese herbs and nutritional supplements carry the same warning for their blood thinning effect as aspirin-containing drugs. Seven to 10 days prior to your injection treatment, discontinue ginko biloba, ginseng, St. Johns’ wort, Echinacea, Vitamin E, and fish oils to name a few.
3. No wining.
Avoid alcohol at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. Alcoholic beverages have similar blood-thinning qualities as aspirin products. Best to abstain.
Avoidance is half the battle when fighting the bruise. Knock out these 3 blood thinning culprits and not only will you look like a knock-out, but you’ll also shine – without the shiner.
For further bruise control, homeopathic Arnica Montana and Bromelain offer natural healing support. Arnica is a non-irritating extract and is widely used as an anti-inflammatory and provides natural relief from pain, swelling and discoloration. For a more extensive list of blood thinning medications, vitamins and supplements or to inquire about Arnica, contact Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa in San Diego, CA.
