When it comes to post-treatment bruises, some of us are luckier than others. While some people breeze through without a mark, others are left reaching for the concealer (and hiding from friends) for days. Fortunately, though, there are things you can do. While we can’t promise you’ll never get a bruise again, you can help to help minimise the chances of bruising — or at least make sure any swelling and bruising you experience is minimal.
What is a bruise?
Bruising after a cosmetic treatment is your body’s normal response that occurs when a needle punctures a blood vessel underneath the skin. When this happens, the blood leaks out of the vessel and pools as there’s nowhere else to go. The blood stays there until your body has time to absorb the blood. (You may also experience mild pain and swelling when you bruise.)
Your bruise will change colour, too. First, it will appear red/purple, depending on your skin tone. Then, soon, it will typically turn black and blue. Over time, it will lighten and change colour as it begins to heal.
Healing involves your blood’s platelets to repair the leak in your blood vessels. Platelets stop bleeding within your body, allowing the bruise to heal.
Some areas are more bruise-prone than others.
Be aware that some parts of your face are more prone to bruising than others. It all depends on how ‘vascular’ the area is. For example, the lips are highly vascular and prone to bruising, while the cheeks are less prone. Remember, too, that bruises are harmless, so if you do end up with a tiny shiner, it’s not the end of the world. Incidentally, bruises typically stay with us for around a week, with the most difficult ones lingering for up to a fortnight.
How to minimise bruising
The most important thing you can do to minimise bruising after your cosmetic procedure is to ice the area. After your treatment at Samara Aesthetics, we’ll give you small ice packs you can apply ASAP, even while driving home. Ice the area intermittently — a few seconds on and a few seconds off. Repeat a few times, then give the area rest for an hour or two and repeat. Never ice the area for more than 15 minutes at a time.
Ice will lower the skin’s temperature, slow the blood flow and cause the vessels in the area to constrict. Consequently, the volume of blood leaking out from any punctured vessel will be reduced, minimising your chance of bruising.
There are other things you can do to help prevent bruising. For example:
• Avoid alcohol the night before your procedure.
• Do not take anti-inflammatories, fish oil, aspirin, blood thinning medications or vitamin E for at least 72 hours before your procedure.
• You may take arnica tablets the day before, on the day and the day after treatment to help minimise swelling and bruising.
• Hirudoid cream will also help avoid bruising and speed up healing.
• Avoid saunas, sweaty gym sessions, and hot tubs for 24 hours after treatment to avoid swelling.
