Do's and Don'ts to prevent bruising after injectable treatments.

Dermal fillers are my go-to for plumping lips, sculpting the face, and reversing signs of aging.  Although they are very safe and well-tolerated, bruising can happen!  After years of experience and thousands of procedures performed, I’ve come up with a few tips that can help prevent bruising and swelling.  

DO schedule your appointment at least 2 weeks before an important event -  it will give time for the swelling to go down and the filler to settle. 

DO start taking arnica tablets 1-2 weeks before your scheduled treatment.  This over-the-counter herbal supplement has been used for centuries to combat bruising and swelling. Arnica also comes in a gel form, which you can apply after your injection as well.

DO keep ice handy, and apply gently to treated area a few minutes at a time - 30 minutes on, 30 minutes off. 

DON’T take blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, or vitamin E at least 1 week before your treatment. 

DON’T drink alcohol 2-3 days before your treatment. 

DON’T exercise or sit in a sauna or steam shower for 24 hours after the procedure - this increases blood flow, which can exacerbate bruising. 

DO remember that all the preparation and arnica in the world can’t replace well-placed filler done by an experienced injector, but also keep in mind that bruises happen, even to the best of us!