How to Help Control Bruising Before Restylane Injections for Tear Troughs?

I would avoid all blood thinning products such as aspirin, motrin, advil, excedrin, alleve,etc. 7-10 days prior to injection.  In addition I would ice the area for 10-15 minutes before and after the injection. You can also take Arnica (homeopathic medication) before and after the injection to minimize the bruising. Pineapple juice can also help break down the byproducts of hemoglobin in your blood and minimize visible bruising.

Even with all these measures taken, some people may just bruise more than others. Sometimes this is due to technical reasons where the injector inadvertently injures a small blood vessel which can cause bruising.

Consult with an experienced injector or surgeon prior to your planned injection.

Best wishes,

Dr. Bruno

Thank you for your question! In my clinic I use Cearna OcuMend hydrogel patches. I recommend applying the patch directly onto the treatment area both before and after the injections. The OcuMend gel patches will minimize the chance of bruising and swelling, as well as speed up the healing time of an already developed bruise. This product has 50X the potency of standard gels and works great. Best of luck,Dr. Kian 

 I always tell patients to avoid alcohol, aspirin or ibuprofen products for a few days before and after to prevent bruising.  Other supplements that may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising include fish oil, ginkgo, ginger, ginseng, garlic.  Taking arnica starting a few days before and icing for 48 hours off and on after injection is also helpful.  However, even in the best of circumstances, it is possible to get bruising after injection of any filler.  Just to be safe I would plan your injection appointment such that you can have a day or two off from important social engagements if you need to. 

The simplest  way to avoid  bruising before getting filler treatments- especially for sensitive areas like lips or under the eyes--, is to avoid
medications and supplements that might be affect blood clotting. Over the counter medications include Motrin, Advil , Excedrin and baby aspirin.  Supplements to avoid are green tea,
flax seed oil and fish oils 3 days before and after treatment. 
Arnica oral tablets and Bromelain  are easy remedies  to reduce
the degree and length of time of bruising and can be taken 3 -5 days following
the treatment.#bruisingwithfillers   #bruisingtreatments  #remediesforbruising

In the future, the best way to minimize bruising
- especially for sensitive areas like lips or under the eyes, is to avoid
medications such as aspirin, Ibuprofen ( Motrin and Advil) and non-steroidal
anti-inflammatories such as Alleve or Naprosyn that might be taken for sports
injuries . Other culprits of bleeding and bruising tendencies are green tea,
flax seed oil, Omega -3s and alcohol or caffeine intake the day before
your treatment!
Arnica oral tablets are an easy remedy to reduce
the degree and length of time of bruising and can be taken 3 -5 days following
the treatment.#arnicaforbruising   #Restylaneinjectiontreatments  #controllingbruising

Although it’s unusual for patients to develop bruising
following the use of injectable fillers, this complication is occasionally seen
when tear trough deformities are treated with Restylane. For this reason, it’s
important to be very careful when these injections are performed.It’s
important that steps be taken to minimize the potential for bleeding prior to
these injections.These steps include
avoiding drugs that increase the potential for bleeding.These include Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve and
Aspirin to name a few.In addition, many
specialists recommend stopping herbal supplements prior to Restylane injections
as well.The majority of providers
recommend icing the area prior to and after Restylane injections.In addition, many specialists recommend the
use of arnica prior to dermal filler injections.When
these steps are taken, the potential for bleeding following Restylane
injections can be decreased, but never totally eliminated.It’s important to contact your provider if
you’re concerned about bruising following this procedure.Your provider should be able to take steps to
minimize the potential for this type of problem.

This is a common question that people ask. I have discussed this numerous times and have written an article on this. There really isn't much research out there, but I did my best to summarize some of the key points. It is broken down based on an article that has been published. Before the injection, during the injection and after the injection. Let me know what you think,James P. Bonaparte, MD, MSc, FRCSCHead and Neck Surgerypracticing in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryAssistant Professor, University of OttawaOttawa, Ontario, Canada

There are many options for helping the bruising. Bruisestick ointment contains both Arnica montana and Bromelain to control bruising. 

To minimize bruising you should avoid aspirin for two weeks before injections, and for two days before you should avoid nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents such as Alleve, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, vitamin E supplements, Fish Oil, Garlic tablets, Ginko biloba, Ginseng and avoid exercise immediately following the injections.  Taking Arnica montana and bromelain may help minimize bruising. Slow injection technique and a small needle help. Sometimes the doctor mixes the Restylane or Juvederm with local anesthetic with epinephrine that can minimize bleeding.  The topical application of vitamin K creams immediately after the injections might minimize bruising.

1. Avoid aspirin, Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen, all NSAID products 2 weeks before and after the injections. (If you take blood thinners, speak to your doctor about discontinuing these medications)

2. Stop all herbal supplements and vitamins 2 weeks before and after the injection.

3. Eat fresh pineapple and/or take Bromelain supplements three days before and 1 week after injections. (I have not found topical creams or Arnica to work as well as Bromelain)

4. Ice the injected areas 20 minutes on and off for about 3-4 hours after injection.

5. Do not exercise after the injections.

6. Sleep with your head on two pillows the first night.

7. Remember, despite doing all the things on this list,  any time a needle is inserted into the skin, bleeding and bruising can occur. If bruising occurs, use ice compresses for the first 2-3 days, then on the third day begin using to warm compresses.