Cosmetic injectable treatments, such as wrinkle reducers and dermal fillers, can work wonders in filling out lines and wrinkles, but they may cause temporary bruising and swelling. Many patients ask us how to minimize or prevent bruising, and the good news is that there's a lot you can do before and after your appointment to minimize any unsightly coloring – and in some cases, prevent it altogether.

No injector can guarantee that you won't bruise from injectable treatments, but to avoid serious side effects, it's always best to go to the most expert injector in your area. To be on the safe side, don't plan any special events for at least 2 weeks after your injectable appointment. Remember, treatments can take 1 to 2 weeks for results to fully settle in, so unless something is really off, most minor problems will resolve with patience.

If you're just having a wrinkle reducer treatment (Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin), these suggestions are still good to follow, even though bruising is less common. However, dermal fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse, Sculptra, and Bellafill are slightly more invasive, and following these instructions will help prevent bruises or reduce their appearance more quickly. Please visit https://wellmedicalarts.com/pre-and-post-injectable-instructions/ for additional information and videos.

Here are a few pre and post-treatment tips that can help you avoid unnecessary bruising:

1. Avoid Aspirin & NSAIDs

2. Avoid Wine & Alcohol

3. Avoid Green Tea, Vitamin E, and Herbal Supplements

4. Skip the Gym

5. Choose a Qualified Injector

6. Apply Ice

7. Use Numbing Cream

8. Consider Anti-Bruising Supplements such as Arnica Montana

9. Practice Sun Protection

10. Plan Accordingly

If you do bruise, continue icing the affected areas, take Arnica as directed, and use a high-level concealer to hide temporary bruises. For lip bruises, lipstick can do the trick. The intensity and duration of your filler or Botox side effects will depend on the treatment aggressiveness and your individual healing characteristics, but they normally last for one to two weeks after the treatment.