Aquacool Face Mask - Does It Really Help to Reduce Bruising and Swelling After a Facelift and Lower Eye Lift?

The aquacool mask works well.  So do frozen peas, crushed ice, etc.  The most important thing is that you use a cooling method for the first 24-72 hours post-op per your surgeons direction.

  A cool compress or a cooling mask likely have similar effects.  These items may help with short term swelling and bruising following surgery.

Aquacool face mask for facelift, lite lift,  q lift, mini lift

there is no scientific evidence that this works better than ice, frozen peas etc

JH

There are lots of ways to cool the tissues of the face for the purpose of minimizing swelling.  The technique is unimportant.  Cost and user-friendliness are the major factors in deciding.

Frozen peas (over a dry cloth to prevent frostbite to the healing tissues, and taken off every half-hour or so) are cheap, easy to use, conform to the shape of your nose, eyes, and face, and can be reused, not to mention eaten when their "extra use" is complete. Such a deal!

Aquacool can certainly avoid frostbite, and can be used more or less continuously (at least during the day), but taking a "rest" from cooling is not a bad idea either. Too much of anything can actually increase the risk of healing difficulties.

Arnica montana preparations (over-the-counter) can also help the absorption of bruising, but avoiding nausea and vomiting (or dry-retching) is much more helpful in preventing the bruising in the first place! The same goes for avoiding constipation, and excessive lifting or exertion.

Also, sleeping with your head above heart level (put a sofa cushion under your mattress; don't try to sleep on "extra" pillows) will allow gravity to pull swelling out of the face more rapidly than being flat at night (at the same level as your heart, causing more swelling to have to be dealt with when up).

BTW, careful and precise surgery is much more of a determinant of bruising and swelling than use of ANY device!

So, ultimately, your choice depends on what you'd prefer to do. Nothing wrong with Aquacool, but not a clear-cut advantage over the basic and standard measures easily followed by ALL patients. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

There are no studies that this method of cooling is any better than any other method of cooling.  So if you are being asked to pay extra for this device, I do not believe that it is really any better than any other form of icing.  Save yourself a few buck and used ice compresses.  Also save your money, there is also no evidence that the arnica is effective at reducing bruising after surgery.  Hope this information helps.

While this is a great mask a bag of frozen vegetables has the same
advantages.  Save your money!

"Dr.D'

Great device, waste of money. It is so much cheaper to buy a bunch of bags of peas and split them up into little zip lock packs. Put them in the freezer and you will have a bunch of Aquacool's waiting for you when you get home. It is so normal to have bruising and swelling. In fact you can be sure you will have swelling and bruising. Cooling the face for the first 72 hours can really help. Being that said you should follow your surgeons advice. You do not want to cool facelift flaps too much because you can compromise early blood flow and risk tissue death if you over do it. Make sure you remove the peas about every 30 mins. Never place the peas directly over the skin, use a cloth. Good luck.

Technology is wonderful but save your money. Frozen baby vegetables work just fine. The key is diligent application, elevation of your head and not to strain. I am also in strong agreement with Dr. Tholen that meticulous surgery is a critical component in avoiding brusing. Some bruising is unavoidable because this is surgery but you can reduce this by complying with pre and post op instructions.

I have used this device and find it easy to use and more beneficial than iced peas.   This device circulates cool water to help reduce bruising/swelling and help with postoperative pain.   I still encourage patients to use antibruising pills, wear compresion garments,  and sleep/rest with their head elevated to bring the swelling down quickly.

I wish you a safe recovery and amazing result!!