Even with meticulous adherence to all the guidelines, bruising with injections remains a possibility. Studies indicate that a significant percentage, ranging from 19% to 68%, may experience bruising post-injections. This wide range shows the fact that virtually anyone can develop bruises from injections. All individuals must grasp this warning to prevent potential disappointment, surprise, or confusion in the future.
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What Happens Under the Surface When You Bruise?
A bruise is essentially a hematoma, formed when tiny blood vessels rupture, causing the leakage of their contents into the soft tissue beneath the skin. Bruising commonly occurs in areas such as the upper lip, under the eyes, and in the tear troughs.
What Tips and Tricks Can You Use Before Treatment to Try and Stop Bruising?
Some tricks you can do to help avoid bruising include:
- One week before injections avoid the following medications/supplements: aspirin, NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin, etc.), St. John’s Wort, Vitamin E, Multivitamins, Krill Oil, Fish Oils, Flaxseed Oils, Omega-3, Gingko, Ginseng, Garlic and Glucosamine
- Eat FRESH pineapple, as it contains bromelain that has been known to decrease bruising. You can also take bromelain supplements 2 weeks before injections.
- Start taking Arnica tablets 5 days before injection.
- No alcohol consumption 3 days before injections.
What Tips and Tricks Can You Use After Treatment to Try and Stop Bruising?
Having taken proactive measures to avoid bruising before injections, here’s a list of steps you can take after the injection to minimize the occurrence of bruises:
- Apply Arnica gel five times/day to reduce swelling.
- Use cold packs on the injected area for the first eight hours.
- Avoid using medications/supplements listed above for two days
- If your lips were injected, do not put pressure on them with a straw, water bottle, etc. for one week
- Don’t put any type of pressure on your face after injections (i.e. getting a massage) for 2 weeks
- Yes, you can use makeup, but wait 24 hours post-injection to avoid any bacteria getting into your injection sites which can lead to infection.
Best Filler Injector in Northern Virginia
If you are interested in learning more about filler injections, we are proud to have the best filler injectors in Northern Virginia! Contact Reston Dermatology and Cosmetic Center today to schedule an appointment.