Are There Any Ways to Prevent Bruising After BOTOX®?

BOTOX^® and other neuromodulators work by temporarily relaxing the facial muscles that contribute to the formation of wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes. These injections contain a safe, purified substance that is administered to stop wrinkles from forming whenever you squint, smile, frown, or raise your eyebrows. One of the aspects of cosmetic treatments that many people wonder about is: Can bruising occur after BOTOX^®? Our Los Angeles-based Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team knows that patients want a youthful, more relaxed appearance from cosmetic injections, but don’t want to deal with bruising on the face that may cause embarrassment or prompt questions from others. Additionally, you might not want the rest of the world to know that you’ve had cosmetic injections, no matter how well-administered they are.

Although finer needles are used for neuromodulators, which are injected more superficially than fillers, there’s still a possibility of bruising. BOTOX^® is a minimally invasive procedure, but there are some minor, temporary side effects associated with it, including bruising and swelling. Whenever there’s a needle injection, bruising can occur if small blood vessels accidentally get cut and minor bleeding occurs under the skin, causing an unappealing black and blue blotch. There’s always a risk of bruising, especially in the sensitive skin areas that are injected—even if the injector is very skilled. If you want to reduce bruising, there are steps you can take before the treatment and after to minimize this side effect.

• Don’t consume alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours before your appointment
• Plan to have your appointment at least two weeks before a major event
• Avoid blood thinning medications such as aspirin, along with other seemingly innocuous foods and drinks such as green tea, ginger, and cinnamon for at least two weeks before as they hinder blood clotting
• Take supplements like arnica and bromelain before and after injections
• Apply an arnica cream to the injection site
• Consider a laser treatment in the following days
• Ice the treatment areas when you get home
• If bruising does actually occur, a good concealer followed by a foundation can help you conceal the discoloration

Can bruising occur after BOTOX^®? Our Los Angeles-based Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills can provide a more detailed answer. Fill out a contact form or call us today at 310-246-0495 to request an appointment.