Treatments like Botox® and dermal fillers offer several advantages when it comes to improving your appearance. But, they can also cause significant bruising, even from the smallest needle. A black, red, or purple bruise forms when a damaged blood vessel under your skin bleeds into the surrounding area.

Dr. Bonnie S. Friehling and our team know that when you’re looking to enhance your appearance, the last thing you want is unsightly bruising. That’s why we take extra steps to reduce blood vessel damage when performing aesthetic treatments at our office in Columbia, Missouri. Not only does our team use special numbing creams to tighten these delicate structures in your skin, but we also recommend these five tips to guarantee the best results.

1. Avoid certain medications

Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can thin your blood. When this happens, you have higher risks of bleeding from even the slightest bit of damage.

Common medications and supplements with a blood-thinning effect include:

• Coumadin®, Pradaxa®, Eliquis®, and Lovenox®
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, like Advil® (ibuprofen) and Bayer® (aspirin)
• Omega-3 supplements, like flaxseed and fish oil
• Herbs, like St. John’s wort, ginkgo biloba, and ginseng

If you take any medications, vitamins, supplements, or herbs, let us know in advance. We can make recommendations on what you should avoid taking in the days leading up to your injections to minimize any bruising.

2. Add supplements

While some medications and supplements can work against you when it comes to bruising, others can help. One popular option is Arnica montana. You can use this homeopathic supplement in different applications, including oral forms and topical creams, gels, or ointments. We usually suggest using Arnica montana for several days before and after your treatment for the most impact.

If you want to add supplements to your diet that reduce your chances of bruising, we can make personalized suggestions based on your overall health.

3. Ditch that drink

Sipping on a cocktail may seem like a relaxing idea, but alcohol can also increase your chances of bruising when you have Botox injections or dermal fillers. That’s because alcohol temporarily relaxes and expands your blood vessels, which increases blood flow in your body. Fortunately, this is a temporary reaction, so you only have to avoid alcoholic beverages the night before and the day of your procedure for the best results.

4. Elevate and ice

An easy way to prevent unwanted bruising and swelling is by keeping your head elevated higher than your heart and applying ice at regular intervals. Keeping the treatment site higher than your heart prevents fluids from pooling, while ice reduces bleeding by constricting your blood vessels.

Plan on elevating the area and using ice for the first 2-3 days after your appointment. Then, switch from ice to heat, which increases blood flow and helps flush damaged cells from the area.

5. Take it easy

While Botox and dermal fillers usually don’t require downtime, that doesn’t mean you should resume vigorous activities immediately. They won’t hurt you, but they increase your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood flow, which can lead to unwanted bruising in the treatment site. Instead of taking a run or hitting the gym, opt for more gentle forms of exercise, like walking.

If you’re having Botox injections or dermal fillers, we can offer more tips to prevent bruising. Call our office to schedule an appointment today.