It is important to realize that bruising is a frequent, but fortunately temporary, complication of fillers. According to studies of FDA clinical trials that involved over 2600 patients, 67% of all dermal filler patients bruised. Bruising lasted more than 7 days 26% of the time. Dermal filler injections around the lips reported the highest level of bruising. Nasolabial fold filler patients appear to have experienced the least bruising.
It is best to avoid planning important work or social events for 2–7 days following treatments. If you are a person who bruises easily, you may need to allow up to 2 weeks for healing. Most bruises can be covered effectively with makeup and many do not require cover-up at all. However, while most bruising resolves within 2–7 days, sometimes bruising can last up to 2 weeks or longer. For that reason, it is important to plan accordingly for important work and social engagements.
The Do’s and Don’ts to Avoid Bruising
1) Avoid Certain Medications
Aspirin, NSAIDS (ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil, Motrin, naproxen) and NSAID containing products (Excedrin, cold medicine, Midol) decrease the ability of platelets in your blood to aggregate and form clots. If platelets cannot clot, they cannot seal off the tiny capillaries that are disrupted during your injectable treatments. That makes the likelihood of a bruise significantly greater. If pain medication is necessary, consider taking Tylenol. Aspirin and NSAID medications can have a prolonged effect and need to be stopped 1–2 weeks prior to treatment to be most effective.
Patients on warfarin (Coumadin) or Plavix should not stop those medications without first consulting their prescribing doctor. Be sure to let your treating doctor know you are on these medications before any treatment.
2) Avoid Alcohol
Avoid wine and alcohol 1–2 days before your treatment and one day following treatment. Alcohol can have a similar anti-platelet effect as does aspirin. Avoiding alcohol before your treatment and for 24 hours after treatment can significantly reduce your potential for bruising.
3) Avoid Green Tea, Vitamin E, Fish Oil, and Herbal Supplements
Various supplements can have an effect similar to prescription blood thinners and markedly increase your chance of bruising. Because so many herbal supplements have unpredictable effects on bleeding and bruising, it is recommended that you stop all supplements at least one week before your treatment and for one week following treatment.
4) Avoid the Gym
It is recommended that you avoid vigorous exercise 24-48 hours following your treatment and to keep your heart rate under 100. Increasing your heart rate and blood pressure can cause damaged capillaries to leak and result in more bruising. It is also important to avoid squeezing or massaging treated tissues for several hours following treatment, unless your doctor advises you otherwise. (Certain injectables such as Sculptra require massage after treatment–follow directions of your physician).
Conclusion
By avoiding certain activities and supplements, you can ensure that your recovery is the most optimal, making it easier for you to obtain the desired results of your treatment.
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