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

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