Learning Center

Post-injection bruising is a fact of life. It can happen when the needle nicks one of the thousands of tiny blood vessels in our body, resulting in minor bleeding under the skin. Even if you visit the most talented and experienced injector in the world, you can still get a bruise because these microscopic capillaries are invisible to the human eye.

Now, there are definitely steps you can take ahead of time to minimize your chances of developing an unsightly bruise. Even if you do end up with one, below are some useful post-care tips to ensure it won’t become too severe.

Keep in mind that there are also some advanced injections techniques being used today that dramatically reduce the swelling and bruising associated with dermal filler.

Read on to learn all about post-injection bruising and how to prevent or deal with it once it happens.

One Week Before the Procedure

·  Stop taking any non-essential aspirin, ibuprofen or blood thinners. These drugs inhibit clotting, which can increase bleeding in case the needle punctures a blood vessel. Note: It’s important that your doctor is consulted before you discontinue any medication. Only certified medical professionals should be providing this type of advice to patients.

·  Certain supplements and herbal teas can also promote bruising. If you’re taking fish oils, vitamin E, turmeric, and others, you may want to check with your doctor about which ones to avoid before your injection appointment.

Day of the Procedure

·  Make sure to disclose your entire health history prior to your injection procedure. If you have any underlying health conditions, there should be a qualified health practitioner available on hand should you suffer an adverse reaction during treatment.

·  Consider taking arnica for 1-2 days prior to your treatment. This won’t prevent bruising, but it will minimize its severity and duration should you get one.

·  Avoid strenuous exercise right before your appointment. Exercise such as cardio dilates blood vessels, including in the skin, possibly resulting in bruising.

·  Ask your injector to apply ice and/or numbing cream. These can help constrict blood vessels which can help with bruising and swelling.

·  If you had dermal filler injections you may want to avoid flying on the day of your appointment (and possibly for several days after). In rare cases, the pressurization of the cabin can affect the results of your filler. Also in the extremely rare event you experience an adverse reaction, you would want to have access to a medical professional who can treat you right away.

Day of the Procedure

·  Keep your heart rate below 100bpm to help prevent late-onset bruising.

·  Avoid doing anything upside down, including yoga poses, gardening, cleaning the floor, and other activities that involve inversion.

·  If you notice a small bruise or discolouration starting, apply arnica cream several times a day to prevent the bruise from getting worse and to reduce recovery time.

Cannula Use Minimizes Bruising and Swelling

Most injectors these days administer dermal filler using a cannula instead of needles. A cannula is a blunt tip instrument that delivers filler under the skin through one tiny incision, instead of multiple pokes with a needle. Since it has a rounded edge, it gently traverses capillaries instead of pearcing through them. Many patients report no bruising and minimal swelling after treatment with a cannula.

Keep in mind that some injections still require a needle, such as BOTOX®. Additionally, certain areas of the face are still treated with a needle (such as superficial filling) for best results. 

Give us a call at 613-342-0220 to find out more about anti-wrinkle injections such as BOTOX® and filler, and to learn of any special offers here at the Brockville MediSpa. We invite you to book a personalized consultation with Dr. Steyn. Look better without looking different!