How long does bruising and swelling last after using Voluma? (Photo)

Bruising can unfortunately occur with any filler.  Injection technique can lower the likelihood of a bruise, but it is not possible for an experienced injector to not bruise any patients.  Management of a bruise may require use of antibruising gel pads, herbal medications such as Arnica, and use of lasers to expedite the bruising.Swelling after Voluma can be a result of the following factors

-Deep bruise- Not all bruises are at the surface and this localized swelling can take weeks to dissipate

-Injection technique- Injections of the product can create depositions which can create lumps if not properly transitioned.  Since Voluma is not hydrophilic (does not tend to absorb water), Voluma tends to be a what you see is what you get type of filler.  

Consult your treating physician for the best course of action.  

Hi and thank you very much for your question and photo. Unfortunately swelling and bruising is a common side effect after hyaluronic acid fillers, including volume, and may last up to 2 weeks in most cases. Arnica and bromelain pills will help decrease the swelling and bruising, as will avoiding blood thinning medications such as ibuprofen, alive, excedrin, aspirin, vitamin e, fish oil. It is also good to ice often and you are able to wear make - up. Follow up with your physician if anything worsens. Hope this helped! Best wishes.

I am sorry you bruised. Unfortunately this is the most common side effect of any facial injection. Since you were treated in the upper cheek, I would suspect a deeper blood vessel may have been injured, leading to a settling of the bruise into the tear trough area. After 48 hours you might want to alternate heat and ice to speed clearance of the bruise. It should be improving within the week, and may take up to two weeks to clear. Topical Arnica cream may be helpful, and I would sleep elevated for a few more days. If you have a child or pet, you can say they bumped your cheek, or that you are having terrible allergies. To minimize bruising risk, we have patients discontinue non-acetaminophen pain relievers, fish oil and Vitamin E, as well as other anti-inflammatory supplements like turmeric prior to injections. We also advise no yoga or cardio exercise the day of treatment, use of ice, and sleep elevated. Good luck, and I hope this clears quickly for you!

Voluma usually does not produce a large amount of swelling, although there is always the risk of some bruising. Swelling normally is down within a few days and brushing can last 7-10 days.   

Generally, bruising and swelling from Voluma last only a week or two. In the meantime, you can continue to ice the area, keep your head elevated, and use arnica for the bruising. You are also free to use makeup to cover the bruising if you are worried about people asking about it. If you are concerned, visit your injector for a follow-up.

Bruising happens when the needle disrupts a blood vessel.  The amount of bruising depends on how much blood accumulated in the skin.  A small bruise can go away in a few days, but a larger bruise can take 2+ weeks.  The area under the eye and the marionette areas are especially prone to bruising, unfortunately. There are some things that you can do to minimize bruising: 1) Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil for 1 week prior to procedure (Note: I don't ask patients who are on aspirin or blood thinners for a medical reason to stop their medication for fillers)2) Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before/after the procedure3) Avoid getting overheated with exercise/sauna/spicy food for 24 hours after the procedure4) Take an anti-bruising medication - arnica, excipial, etc5) Icing after the procedure6) sleeping with your head elevated for a few days after the procedureThere are some things that I can do to minimize bruising:1) where appropriate, I can use a cannula (blunt-tipped needle)2) If I see bruising, I can immediately apply pressure - this helps to keep the bruise small3) We can use light/laser to hasten the resolution of bruising

Bruising and swelling are unfortunately common side effects following any dermal filler injection. The risks can be minimized by following proper protocol such as avoiding blood thinners beforehand, and by visiting a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with high levels of expertise and experience, but unfortunately there is no real way to 100% prevent it from happening. Generally, you can expect it to last anywhere from a few days for up to two weeks. It is always prudent to phone call your physician and make them aware of later onset swelling that continues to worsen.

Thank you for your question and for sharing your experience.  I'm sorry that you are experiencing swelling and bruising after your Voluma treatment. Icing during and after the procedure definitely helps with swelling and bruising reduction. If you feel swollen, then I would continue to ice on and off for 5 to 10 minutes every hour for the first day or two.  In addition, you may  want to consider using arnica as well as IPL to help treat the bruise correctly if your injector offers this. 

Bruising after injections is normal and can vary in severity. Definitely discuss your concerns with your injector, and as mentioned in other posts, icing and head elevation can help improve symptoms. Arnica and bromelain can sometimes help with swelling and bruising as well. When icing, do not apply ice directly to skin to avoid ice burns. Depending on the amount of bruising and swelling, it normally improves in 1-2 weeks and you may use makeup to conceal the bruising.

Thank you for the photo. Some folks will bruise with placement of Voluma. This is especially true of patients who have consumed aspirin, ibuprofen, St. John's wart, gingko, Vit. E, and/or a host of other things known to promote bruising. Our office likes arnica, (an herbal supplement), to decrease the bruising. We also note that ice and elevation of the head at 30 degrees tends to help.  Please tell your experienced injector your concerns.