Preventing Bruising From Filler
All faces are beautiful, but nobody likes a bruise! Here are our tips to keep bruise-free after your Filler or Thread Lift appointment.
Read on to learn more …
Among the top questions Dr. Godley gets about injectable fillers in Vancouver are:
Are lip injections painful?
What causes bruising after lip filler ?
And especially: How do I prevent bruising from my lip injections or cheek filler?
We’ve all heard the saying “beauty is pain”, but with 25 years as an anesthesiologist under his Gucci belt, Dr. Godley says medical aesthetic treatments shouldn’t have to hurt. — At least no more than absolutely necessary.
Our patients come to Godley Clinic to feel more confident about their appearance. We know the last thing they want is to end up with an unsightly bruise!
Q: What causes bruising after lip filler ? :
A bruise from dermal filler occurs when a needle accidentally clips one of the thousands of tiny blood vessels in our body, resulting in minor bleeding under the skin. Unless you’re dealing with a very amateur injector (ie: a student, or a basement suite special) the skill of the injector has nothing to do with increasing or decreasing chances of bruising after lip fillers. Even for patients who have been getting dermal fillers and injectables for years - any time an injection is administered, there is a risk of bruising.
While we always advise booking your aesthetic treatments at least 3 weeks in advance of any special events, we understand sometimes our schedules and lives aren’t as perfect as they look on Instagram.
SO - here are some ways you can help prevent bruises from fillers, and help a bruise on your lip heal faster! :
Secret Weapon: Arnica Oil
Arnica is an herb that grows mainly in Siberia and central Europe. Arnica is widely used for pain caused by osteoarthritis, sore throat, surgery, and other conditions. Arnica is also useful for reducing bleeding, swelling, and bruising after injections or surgery.
We recommend applying Arnica oil for bruising after lip injections, and also to soothe pain, prevent bruising and encourage healing after PDO or PLA Threadlifts. For extra soothing power keep one of our Arnica rollers chilled in the fridge. ….The steel roller ball feels incredible on irritated or swollen skin.
So... other than Arnica, how DO you avoid bruising from fillers?
1. Avoid medications with blood-thinning side effects before your lip filler or Threadlift.
Sorry - this includes Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Exedrin, and even some herbal supplements like Ginseng and Fish Oil. Aspirin can last up to a month in the body, but for most other blood thinners, stopping their use about a week in advance of treatment is sufficient.
Godley Tip: If you are worried about pain during lip injections, over-the-counter Tylenol is perfectly fine to take – in advance of, and also post-treatment.
2. Try not to drink alcohol 24 hours before treatment.
Unfortunately, alcohol and lip injections aren’t a smart combination because alcohol acts as a vasodilator, which means it causes blood vessels to open and relax. Increased blood flow = Bruise City.
Godley Tip: Instead of alcohol, double up your water intake. Added bonus? Staying hydrated is key to keeping fillers looking their best and helping lips appear pillowy and smooth.
3. Arnica pills.
Ingesting Arnica orally 4-5 days pre and post-procedure can do wonders to stop bruising after lip filler. There is also research suggesting Arnica helps with sensitivity and pain from injections too, due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
Godley Tip: Arnica tablets are available at most health food stores. If you don’t have any Arnica on hand before your appointment, we offer roll-on Arnica oil at the clinic, that you may apply topically after being injected.
4. Apply Ice Packs to the area.
Swelling means inflammation, and inflammation generally means pain. Injections are a form of trauma, and ice is one of the most effective ways to reduce bruising and swelling after lip fillers.
Godley Tip: Keep applying ice at home following your treatment to reduce the body’s inflammatory response.
5. Avoid strenuous exercise post-procedure.
For lip fillers, exercise should be avoided for two days. Following a threadlift, we advise patients to avoid the gym, tanning beds, saunas, infrareds Hot Yoga, and any exercise with inverted poses for a full month following your procedure.
Godley Tip: If you desperately need to get some exercise after lip fillers or threads, try a brisk walk along the sea wall.
6. Mind your cycle.
Whatever you do, try not to book your injectables appointment on the same week as your menstrual cycle. Your pain threshold goes down significantly during your cycle, and your body’s inflammatory response can increase.
Godley Tip: same goes for any other appointment that may potentially involve a bit of pain, such as wax appointments and getting tattooed.
Q: Help! I already have a bruise! How do I get rid of bruising after lip fillers?
Finally, if it’s too late and you’re showing signs of bruising already, we always advise our patients to “AIM -Arnica, Ice, Makeup- and hope for the best.” Bruising from lip fillers generally fades in three to five days, and with the proper maintenance, your fresh fillers will look spectacular for the months to come.
Interested in learning more about Fillers or Threadlifts in Vancouver? We’d love to talk about your lip goals in a consultation!