Bruising is an unwelcome risk with many cosmetic procedures, particularly with injections of Botox/Dysport, dermal filler and biostimulants like Sculptra. No one likes to have a bruise on their face to explain, especially when you are a person with work and social commitments. In this blog we will discuss how to reduce the risk of bruising from these procedures that result in a better version of yourself.
What is a bruise exactly and how long do they take to go away? Bruises are a collection of blood under the skin that can occur when an injury to the skin ruptures a small vein. The body reacts to bleeding by first sending in cells to stop the bleeding and then cells to clean up the blood. The body’s bruise clean-up process or the time it takes for a bruise to go away is usually ten to fourteen days.
Which procedures cause the most risk for bruising? Any time a needle is injected into the skin, there is a risk of bruising. The three most common procedures performed in a medical spa with needles are Botox/Dysport, Sculptra and dermal filler. Botox/Dysport is used for relaxing expression lines around the eyes and forehead. Sculptra is used to stimulate your body to create new collagen. Dermal filler is used to replace collagen in the cheeks, lips, jaw line and lines around the mouth. Patients should be aware of the risk of a bruise and schedule these procedures at least two weeks before any event that they don’t want to have a bruise.
Are there medications that increase the risk of bruising with cosmetic procedures? Patients who take ibuprofen, aspirin, fish oil, prescription blood thinners and some vitamins are at highest risk for bruising. It is best if patients stop these medications five days prior to their cosmetic injectable procedure, if it is allowed by their physician. Patients who are not able to stop these medications prior to their aesthetic procedures should make their aesthetic provider aware of this.
Is there anything you recommend to prevent bruising? Alcohol consumption should be limited the day before the procedure for best results. Some patients have found that taking an herbal supplement called Arnica montana a few days before and after the procedure causes less bruising. Bromine which is found in pineapple is another natural way to prevent bruising. We retail a supplement in our office called Silagen in our office that is a combination of Arnica Montana and Bromein. It may also help bruising resolve faster if taken after the injectable procedure.
Besides Silagen, is there any other treatment to make a bruise resolve faster? A laser that targets blood under the skin can reduce the time that a bruise is visible if treated in the first 72 hours of bruise occurrence. This intense pulse light (IPL) device breaks up the blood under the skin so that the cells that come and clean up the bruise can act more efficiently.
Are there any other tricks that reduce the risk of bruising with cosmetic injectable procedures? There is a portable device that allows your provider to see the veins under the skin. This device can be used prior to injectable procedures to map out the veins so as to avoid injecting the needle near them, when possible. Using this device can help reduce the incidence of bruising dramatically, especially with Botox/Dysport injections. The “vein finder” device works best for illuminating superficial veins. Sculptra and dermal filler injections are often deeper and so the “vein finder” device is less effective for preventing bruising.
If you are interested in a consultation with Dr. Norris or Ania Peek, NP to learn more about cosmetic procedures that enhance your beauty with the least amount of bruising, call Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa at 815-780-8264 or text us through our website.
-Dr. Norris