Botox® and fillers are fantastic options for those who want to have tighter, younger-looking skin. But many people shy away from these treatments after learning about side effects associated with them. Severe side effects, such as brief drooping of the eyes or open wounds, are unlikely to occur in most patients.
However, many people experience temporary bruising after receiving these treatments, especially on the face, which can be noticeable. And you can make it a point to stay out of the limelight for a week or so after your procedure. But wouldn’t it be better to prevent bruising altogether?
At Colorado Skin Care, we want to make any treatments you receive as smooth and painless as possible. That’s why Kimberly Stone, MD, wants to offer you a number of tips and tricks to prevent bruising after Botox or fillers. And there are plenty of easy ways to do this so you can look your best as soon as possible.
You’re likely to experience some bruising with these treatments, but if you avoid certain medications and substances, the bruising will be much less severe. For example, patients who take blood thinners should discuss these with their provider and see if it’s possible to go off them for a few days, as they strongly increase the severity of bruising.
In addition, drinking alcohol thins the blood and increases the risk of bruising and bleeding, both of which can directly affect your post-treatment recovery. If you’re planning to go out to the bar with your friends for happy hour, maybe postpone this until a week or so after your treatment.
Finally, it’s important to remember that over-the-counter NSAIDs are also blood thinners. So, try to avoid taking ibuprofen, aspirin, or any of their brand name medications before or after your treatment.
This might seem obvious, but many patients can’t resist touching, poking, or pulling at their skin, post-procedure. We have to remind you that the Botox or fillers should be allowed to settle comfortably on their own and that any manipulation could lead to further trauma for the area, resulting in more bruising. So, as much as possible, keep your hands away for 48 hours.
Avoiding exercise for the first few days after an aesthetic treatment will ensure that you don’t bruise as easily or as intensely. When you exercise, the blood vessels in your body start pumping blood faster. This is great… unless you’re healing, in which case, you’ll only experience more intense signs of such, including bruising.
Now, you heard what we said about manipulating the skin post-treatment, so you’re going to want to be very careful with this tip. However, placing a cold or cool compress onto your injection site can help immensely with bringing down the swelling or bruising after Botox or filler injections.
Applying the compress is something you can start right away. In fact, it’s going to be very effective for controlling bruising during the first 24 hours. It can also help with pain and discomfort. Just make sure you do it without applying pressure.
The last tip we have for you is often overlooked by our patients. You’re going to want to protect your face from the sun for at least several days or as much as a week for best results. And this doesn’t just mean sunglasses.
At least for the first few days, make sure to stay inside and avoid direct sunlight. If you absolutely have to go out, try wearing a large hat that covers your face. It’s much safer than going out unprotected, and it’s best to avoid any creams or lotions on the face for the first 48 hours (and yes, this includes sunscreen).
Often, many people worry that their friends or family will immediately be able to tell that they’ve gotten Botox or fillers because of the dreaded facial bruising. But, if you follow these general rules, the bruising will be much milder and sometimes even unnoticeable.
If you’d like to make an aesthetic appointment in the Denver, Colorado, area, call Colorado Skin Care today at 303-740-4883 or book online. We look forward to connecting with you!