By Sabina Hagar
Are you worried about bruising after an injectable treatment? Maybe nervous about swelling or discomfort after a laser treatment? Understanding how to minimize the downtime effects of aesthetic treatments is crucial. The expert injectors at beyond | AESTHETICS share their insights to help you achieve the best possible outcomes.
Am I Going to Bruise or Swell After an Injection?
The short answer is yes. Bruising and swelling can be expected when undergoing any kind of injectable treatment. Neurotoxins like BOTOX®, Dysport, and Xeomin are less invasive, so the bruising and swelling tend to be minimal. Typically, slight swelling and mild redness at the injection points subside by the end of the day (sometimes even by the end of the appointment!).
Other injectables, such as dermal fillers, Sculptra®, SKINVIVE™, and PDO Threads, tend to cause more bruising, swelling, and longer downtimes. This is because minor trauma occurs during the injection process. Bruising and swelling are simply the body’s natural responses and will start to subside within 24-72 hours after treatment.
What Can Be Done to Minimize Bruising and Swelling?
To reduce the likelihood of bruising and swelling, consider these tips:
Take Arnica: Start taking Arnica a couple of days before and after the procedure. Arnica, a homeopathic remedy from the sunflower family, can help reduce bruising and swelling.
Avoid Blood Thinners: Refrain from taking ibuprofen, aspirin, fish oil, and alcohol before and immediately after the treatment, as these can increase the risk of bruising and swelling.
Drink Pineapple Juice: Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps reduce swelling, bruising, and pain.
Apply Ice: Use ice packs on the injection sites to help reduce swelling.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep the body well-hydrated, which can aid in faster recovery.
Keeping Things Sanitary
Maintaining cleanliness is crucial to prevent breakouts and infections. Here are some tips:
- Avoid touching the treated area. If necessary, ensure hands are clean or use gloves.
- Sanitize anything that comes into contact with the skin, such as phones or glasses, using alcohol.
- Use a clean pillowcase on the night of treatment.
Should Sun Exposure Be Avoided?
Yes, avoiding sun exposure is advisable before and after an aesthetic procedure to ensure the skin isn’t compromised, which can help reduce downtime.
Can Makeup Be Worn Before/After an Aesthetic Treatment?
Coming in with a clean face before your procedure is ideal, however, we will cleanse your skin prior to treatment regardless. You can wear make up after certain procedures but with some specific post-procedure guidelines. With injectables and microneedling, makeup can typically be worn after 12 hours. For ablative laser treatments, wait at least 24-48 hours before applying makeup. With BBL treatments, as long as the skin’s integrity isn’t compromised, makeup can be applied immediately. Applying makeup too soon can irritate the skin and extend downtime.
Is Certain Clothing Recommended?
Wearing clothing that is easy to pull over the head or soft and gentle on the skin is ideal after certain aesthetic treatments. This helps avoid irritating the treated area through rubbing, pulling, or scratching from clothing.
Enhance Your Beauty with Confidence
Every patient’s recovery time will vary depending on their body and the treatment received. Hopefully, these tips and tricks help minimize downtime after any aesthetic treatment. For those seeking professional guidance, expert injectors, like those at beyond | AESTHETICS, offer valuable insights into achieving the best results.
For personalized advice regarding a full range of minimally-invasive treatments, schedule a consultation at beyond | AESTHETICS in Camarillo and Ventura, California. Start your journey to a more confident you today.
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