Can You Stop Bruising After an Injection?

Understanding Bruising After Injections

Why It Happens

Bruising after an injectable treatment can occur when the needle inadvertently impacts blood vessels, causing blood to leak under the skin. Although usually mild and temporary, the reaction during treatment varies with each person. The size of the needle, the application technique, and skin sensitivity all affect the likelihood of bruising.

Types of Injections That May Cause Bruising

Bruising may result from a variety of treatments, including:

• Dermal Filler Treatments: Especially cheek filler treatments are known for causing bruising due to the abundance of blood vessels in the face that can be disturbed.
• Aesthetic Laser Treatments: While not an injection treatment, it can cause similar effects.
• Non-Invasive Cosmetic Treatments: Some treatments that do not involve injections can still lead to bruising.
• Invasive Treatments: More aggressive cosmetic procedures carry a higher risk of bruising.

Cheek filler treatment or under-eye fillers require careful application to avoid damaging blood vessels. Conversely, procedures such as aesthetic laser treatments often have a lower risk of bruising. Nonetheless, even the perfect non-invasive treatment may lead to some bruising, necessitating plans for post-procedural and post-operative care.

Step 1: Apply Cold Compress

When and How to Do It

• Cold packs should be encased in a soft towel to protect the skin.
• Before treatment, place the pack on the targeted area to prepare it.
• After the injection, apply cold compresses occasionally during the first 24 hours to reduce swelling.
• Cold compress application constricts blood flow, aiding in swelling reduction.

Precautions

• Always include a protective layer, like a cloth, between ice packs and your skin.
• Monitor your skin’s reaction to the cold compress; discontinue use if negative reactions occur.
• Never apply ice directly against the skin to prevent skin damage.

Step 2: Elevate the Affected Area

Benefits of Elevation

• Addresses Swelling: Elevating helps manage swelling by keeping the area above the heart, which supports efficient blood circulation and prevents fluid buildup.
• Enhances Healing: Improved blood flow to the affected site can speed up the healing process following an injection.

Proper Elevation Techniques

• Positioning: Utilize pillows to maintain the injured area comfortably above the level of your heart, optimizing blood flow.
• Avoiding Obstruction: Ensure the elevation position does not compress blood vessels, allowing uninterrupted circulation to aid recovery.

Step 3: Use Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers If Necessary

After an injection to address minor pain, over-the-counter medications can be an option. Select products that aren’t considered mild blood thinners to reduce the chance of bruising.

Recommended Pain Relievers Search for medications designed for discomfort following injections, as these generally come with a lower risk of blood-thinning effects. It is crucial to use products that are not blood thinners to minimize bruising.

Dos and Don’ts

• Do choose acetaminophen-based medications: These medications help with pain and lack blood-thinning properties.
• Don’t opt for aspirin pain reliever or particular NSAIDs: These have blood-thinning effects and could lead to increased bruising.
• Do follow the dosage instructions on the label: This prevents the overuse of any pain medications.
• Don’t mix different blood thinners: Consult a healthcare provider before adding new pain relief options if you are already using blood-thinning medications.

Step 4: Apply Warm Compress After 48 Hours

The Reason Behind It

Begin using a warm compress two days after treatment to aid the healing process. The warmth helps blood vessels to dilate, improving blood flow to the area. Good circulation helps clear bruising byproducts and reduce swelling.

How to Safely Apply a Warm Compress

• Soak a clean cloth in warm water (ensure the water is not hot).
• Wring out excess water from the cloth.
• Place the cloth on the affected area for 20 minutes.
• Repeat this process throughout the day, maintaining a safe and comfortable temperature.

Step 5: Gentle Massage Around the Bruised Area

Technique for Safe Massage

To support a bruise-free experience:

• Start by applying a small amount of arnica cream to the area.
• Use a light touch to gently massage the cream in circular motions over and adjacent to the bruise.
• This technique helps dissipate blood pools under the skin, promoting quicker healing.

Why It Helps

• Arnica, known for its anti-bruising properties, aids the healing process.
• Gentle massage enhances circulation and helps resolve the accumulation of blood that causes bruising.
• This process facilitates the skin’s recovery, making the healing process more efficient.

Additional Tips for Preventing Further Bruising

Avoiding Certain Medications and Supplements

• Refrain from taking blood-thinning medications to lower the likelihood of additional bruising post-injectable treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before altering any medication.
• Opt for noninvasive treatments to diminish the risk of bruising.

Wearing Protective Clothing

• Choose attire that shields the treated region, especially when engaging in activity that could lead to bruising.
• Postpone strenuous, vigorous, and heavy exercise after treatment to prevent exacerbating any bruising.
• Gentle exercise is preferable during recovery from noninvasive treatments.
• Consider using arnica under the guidance of your healthcare professional to help manage bruising.

Try Pineapple to Minimize Bruising

If you like pineapple, eating it during the first couple of days after your injection might help to reduce the appearance of bruises. Pineapple contains enzymes that are thought to reduce bruising. There’s only anecdotal evidence to support this claim, though, so if you really dislike pineapple, don’t force yourself to eat it. If you do, go ahead and snack on it.

When to See an Experienced Provider

When it comes to getting Botox or another injection, technique matters. A provider who has ample training and plenty of experience administering fillers or other injectables will typically have the skill to limit the amount of bruising and side effects patients experience.

Another benefit of working with an experienced provider is that they are better able to recommend a filler or injectable to you that will cause the least amount of bruising. Thicker fillers do tend to be associated with bruising, in part because they need to be injected more deeply into the skin. Your provider can give you tips and pointers to help you choose an injectable that will provide the results you want with minimal side effects.

Talk to Your Provider About Any Medications You Take

Before your treatment, you’ll need to sit down with your provider and discuss your aesthetic goals and medical history. The consultation is a good time to bring up any medications or supplements you take, as some medicines can increase the risk of bruising after an injection. For example, common pain relievers such as ibuprofen and aspirin thin the blood, making bruising more likely. The same is true of some supplements, such as Vitamin E and St. John’s Wort.

While you might be able to temporarily stop taking some medicines or switch to another option in the weeks or days leading up to your injection, if you’re taking a prescription for an ongoing condition, you probably can’t stop taking it. You’ll want to discuss your options with your provider and also talk to the doctor who is treating your condition before you schedule an injectable treatment.

Dr. Paul Vitenas and the staff at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, Texas offer a wide range of injectable procedures, from Botox to Juvederm and beyond. To learn more about your injectable options and what you can do to minimize side effects after treatment, call 281-810-9083 today.