Bruising – How to Prevent It, How to Treat It

If you are attending ArtMed for any treatment that involves injections (Botox, Xeomin, Belkyra, PRP, dermal filler, sclerotherapy) please understand there is a risk of bruising. Avoiding bruising entirely is not possible but you can certainly minimize the risk. 

Bruising is very common after dermal filler treatments. Some studies state that it occurs in roughly 19% – 24% of patients, while others have concluded that figure to be as high as 68%. 

The areas where the skin shows the most visible signs of aging are also the most likely to bruise after filler injections, namely around the upper lip, under the eyes, and in the tear troughs. If you’re getting injectable treatments to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds and marionette lines, take note that these areas are also prone to bruising. 

Prior to filler treatment: 

Avoid the following products and supplements, which are known to thin the blood and increase risk of bruising: 

• St. John’s Wort 

• Ginger 

• Ginkgo biloba 

• Ginseng 

• Vitamin E 

• Green tea 

• Krill oil 

• Flaxseed oils 

• Fish oils and Omega-3 

It’s best to talk to your doctor before stopping any regular medications that have been prescribed. But if you can, avoid the medications and supplements listed below for 2 days before and 1 day after treatment.  

• NSAIDS – aspirin, Advil®, Motrin®, Aleve®, naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin  

Prescription blood thinners should not be discontinued but if you take these medications, you should expect bruising with injections: 

• clopidogrel, and warfarin, dabigatran, enoxaparin, ticlopidine, and dipyridamole, rivaroxaban (Xarelto), dabigatran (Pradaxa), apixaban (Eliquis) and edoxaban (Lixiana)   

Eliminate alcohol before and after treatment  

Alcohol acts as a vasodilator — it causes blood vessels to relax and open AND it interferes with blood clotting. Even small amounts, like a glass of wine or a shot of hard alcohol (mixed drinks) can trigger this effect and increase your risk for bruising after injections.  

• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before and after treatment to reduce your risk of bruising at injection sites (women are more affected by alcohol so avoidance 48 hrs before and after is ideal)  

How to Actively Prevent Bruising 

Anecdotal evidence suggests eating pineapple 2-3 times a day for the first two days prior to your injections will help prevent bruising. 

Both before and after your procedure you can also take Arnica montana, a homeopathic remedy said to soothe sore muscles, treat bruises, and relieve post-procedure pain. Arnica montana comes in several forms, including pellets and as a topical gel. You can purchase a high-quality formulation such as Boiron arnica montana 30CH.  Take 5 pellets 3X per day for 2 days prior to your filler appointment.   

Post-procedure, you can continue ingesting Arnica pellets or instead apply an Arnica gel, or cream directly to the affected area. If bruises do start to appear, however, it’s recommended that you continue applying Arnica in order to reduce swelling and minimize discoloration at the injection site. 

Avoid the gym for a few days 

After your procedure, you should avoid going to the gym or doing any rigorous exercise. Exercise increases your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood flow, making it harder for any capillaries damaged by the injection to heal. So, for the first little while just opt for less strenuous forms of physical activity like walking. 

Finally, choosing an expert injector to perform your treatment is key to making sure you don’t experience any unnecessary bruising. An expert injector will apply an anesthetic cream, also known as numbing cream, to your face prior to injections to constrict the blood vessels and make bruising less likely. Anesthetic creams will also keep you more comfortable throughout the procedure. 

injections. This will reduce the likelihood of further trauma to the blood vessels, which could result in additional swelling and bruising. 

Some other natural options to manage bruising: 

Tea bags   

Place a cooled tea bag on a bruise and leave it there for an extended period to help it heal faster (the best type is comfrey if you have it). 

Vinegar 

Soak a cloth with white vinegar and place it on your bruise for up to 60 minutes (cut it with water if you find the smell too strong). 

Vitamin K   

Eat leafy green vegetables, (which are high in Vitamin K) the days before your filler appointment and you’ll be more resistant to bruising. 

Witch-hazel:   

Place a cloth soaked with distilled witch-hazel to the area of the body that is swollen. 

Ice Packs   

Always the old standby. Using them will reduce any redness and swelling. 

Broad Band Light Therapy 

If you’re experiencing significant bruising after a filler injection, you may benefit from a BBL treatment. BBL uses light to target specific areas of the skin with extreme bruising. The light is then converted into heat, which cauterizes the blood vessel and breaks up the bruise without disturbing the surrounding skin. Most patients only require 1treatment, but those with more severe or extensive bruising might need more. If you were treated with dermal fillers at ArtMed we offer complimentary BBL s to expedite bruise resolution at ArtMed. Please call 519-824-4567 to book your free bruise management BBL. 

Makeup to cover bruises: 

If you’d like to cover the bruised areas, feel free to use makeup to cover them up as much as you can (Wait at least 48 hours post injection). Just be careful because you want to avoid pressing down too hard on the skin, which could further injure the area. There are many excellent make up products for covering birthmarks, tattoos, scars and these can be an excellent option to cover a bruise.