Minimizing Marks: Effective Solutions for Managing Bruising After Botox®
It’s relatively common for bruising to occur after Botox® or filler treatments. Bruising is one of the most common side effects of both cosmetic procedures.
Fortunately, most post-Botox bruising is temporary, typically resolving within a week. But a week is a long time to walk around with visible facial blemishing. So: what, if anything, can you do to reduce or prevent bruising after Botox?
“Prevent” is a stretch. It’s not always possible to eliminate bruising entirely after an injectable treatment like Botox. However, by taking some simple steps, you can manage the risk of bruising and swelling around the treatment area.
6 Ways to Prevent Bruising After Botox
These aren’t the only ways to prevent bruising after Botox. For example, many patients swear by zinc supplements, which aren’t mentioned in detail here.
Likewise, the most important thing you can do to reduce your side effect risks in general is to carefully choose your provider — and limit your search to board-certified professionals with adequate Botox injection training.
1. Apply Ice Packs After Injection
This bit of advice won’t come as a surprise if you bruise easily. Regularly applying ice packs as directed by your provider can significantly reduce swelling and inflammation around the treatment area by constricting the tiny blood vessels responsible for it. Avoid prolonged cold exposure, though, as that can interfere with the positive results of your Botox treatment.
2. Understand Where to Inject Botox (And Where Not To)
Some Botox injection sites bruise more readily than others. This goes back to the importance of working with a trained provider who’s done hundreds of procedures before. Every patient is different, so experience is vital. And preventing bruising isn’t even that high on the list of reasons to work with an expert; inexperience can lead to more serious side effects too.
3. Make Sure You’re Not Taking Any Medications That Interact With Botox
Over-the-counter blood thinning medications like NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen) and prescription blood thinners like Coumadin and Eliquis can increase your risk of bruising after Botox (and could make you a poor candidate for treatment for other reasons). So can foods and supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including flaxseed oil and fish oil. If you’re not sure about a particular medication or supplement, ask your provider before treatment.
4. Avoid Alcohol Soon Before and After Treatment
Avoid drinking any alcohol for 24 hours before your Botox treatment and for 24 to 48 hours after treatment. Alcohol is a blood thinner that can worsen and prolong Botox-related bruising.
5. Don’t Lay Down for Several Hours After Treatment
If you lay down too soon after Botox treatment, you can disrupt the body’s natural healing process and worsen any bruising that would have occurred anyway. Laying down can also interfere with Botox’s action on the treated muscles, weakening the visible effect.
6. Avoid Strenuous Exercise, Facial Massage, and Other “Disturbing” Activities Soon After Treatment
You can lay down within four or six hours of Botox treatment, but you shouldn’t engage in strenuous exercise or massage the treatment area for at least a day afterward. You want to give the medication time to “settle” to prevent bruising and maximize potential results.
