What are your thoughts on SINECCH?

Years ago, I visited a famous plastic surgery friend of mine in Santa Monica, California who swore by Anica, so I gave it a try.  I was truly unimpressed.  For years, I have been using DMSO.  This is a liquid made out of a wood product.  It is the world's best anti-inflammatory.  It decreases swelling at an amazing rate.  It also gets rid of bruising because it opens what are known as choke vessels.Choke vessels are a redundant system of blood vessels within the body that open up under low oxygen tension, i.e. when someone is choking you.  Have you ever wondered why someone's face turns red during a MMA fight when a rear naked choke is applied to their neck?  Well, it's because choke vessels open up because of low oxygen tension, therefore more blood in the face, therefore more redness.  These choke vessels bring more white blood cells into the area when DMSO is applied.  The white blood cells actually leave the blood vessels by a process known as diapedesis.  These white blood cells go out into the injured tissue, they eat up injured red blood cells as well as the loose hemaglobin (the bruise) so that it makes bruises go away amazingly quickly.We opened our new surgery center 2-1/2 years ago and have been using DMSO from Day 1.  Just to give you one example, my overnight nurse will spray a face after a facelift every half hour all night, and by morning, we have no bruising.  I am sure Arnica is better than no anti-swelling medication at all, but DMSO beats arnica every day and every night.

Thank you for your question. This is a choice of your surgeon. Our patients like to take it, and it seems to be safe. Will it help?.....Perhaps. I haven't seen any good studies showing a clear benefit, but patients do report they feel it has helped them, so we provide it for them, and they use it when appropriate. I hope this helps!

I'm not familiar with that particular brand, however most studies show that Arnica montana probably doesn't do much. However, some of my nurses and patients believe that it really helps.  It the dosage found in over the counter formulations it is likely safe and at worst will not cause harm. 

I do not know the specifics of the brand, but arnica is reasonable.  I would search for the surgeon who you
feel is most likely to give you
the best results. Look at reviews and before and after pictures on that
surgeon's website. Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Have found uniformly these products do not do much.Depending on the procedure I do use intra-operative and sometimes post-op steroids, as there are very good studies showing decreased swelling, bruising etc. These studies were randomised and double blinded ( the best type of study). Most importantly check with you plastic surgeon, do not take any meds he / she does not know about. You will also have to trust his / her protocols as we all develop them help us achieve the best possible results.Good LuckStephen M. Davis,MD, FACSGreen Hils Plastic Surgery

Some people swear by Arnica treatment, yet many studies are equivocal and do not show any benefit. Best to ask your surgeon his preference.