Arnica gel vs. Vitamin K gel for healing bruises after a facelift?

Hello,Homeopathy and homeopathic remedies like Arnica are not based in science, and their existence and promotion today is due to  greed leading to exploitation of the patient. Vitamin K is absorbed in the gut and used in the liver to make clotting proteins. As a topical gel, it is an expensive moisturizer that has no effect on bruising. Once again: greed leading to exploitation. Don’t waste your money on either product. 

Hello,My patients use both after all facial plastic surgery procedures to enhance their recovery. Bruising resolution has been shown to be faster with our protocol.Good luck,Dr. Shah

We have lots of experience with Arnica, both orally and topical. It seems to work quite well. The oral form seems to help prevent bruising while the topical can help bruising go away faster. We don't have any experience with Vitamin K gel, but by the method of action, I don't feel it will do much for an existing bruise.Andrew Campbell, M.D.Facial Rejuvenation SpecialistQuintessa

Hello and thank you for your question.You may use either of these creams/gels. The bruising will get better with every day that passes. I suggest talking with your surgeon for his/her recommendations. Best of luck! 

Sorry, yes they are wildly popular for this purpose, so much so, that some doctors actually sell these products in their office. However, the enthusiasm does not match up to the scientific evidence. Good studies exist that Arnica does nothing. Which makes sense because it is a homeopathic medication with very little active arnica in the preparation you take. The studies of vitamin K cream are few but they are also not supportive that it is helpful. Every good lie has a grain of truth. Vitamin K is an important part of the normal coagulation system but that is unrelated to a vitamin K cream. Save your money. What is important is following your surgeons direction to avoid dietary supplements before surgery that inhibit platelets. 

Dear jelllyb,
every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello and thanks for your question. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that arnica gel and vitamin K gel can be used to reduce bruising and speed up recovery following surgery. However, clinical trials remain inconclusive. You may not experience any noticeable improvements during your recovery while using either product, although they are both safe to use if you’d like to test them out. To learn more about optimizing your recovery, contact your board-certified plastic surgeon. Hope this helps!Michael Eisemann M.D.
Plastic Surgeon
Houston, Texas

Arnica Montana is a homeopathic drug that is claimed to reduce bruising and swelling. Anecdotally, many patients and plastic surgeons feel that Arnica does have a benefit. There are, however, conflicting reports in the valid scientific literature about these claims. Bromelin (Bromelain), another homeopathic medication, is a mixture of enzymes found naturally in the juice and stems of pineapples and also purported to reduce swelling, bruising, inflammation and pain after surgery. This supplement, which is often taken along with Arnica, is also controversial with regard to efficacy.There is no valid data about topical Vitamin K gel and post-op bruising.
I would suggest you find a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)  that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person. It is critical that he or she should be aware of all medications, supplements, minerals, vitamins, and herbs that you are taking, because they may interfere with normal blood coagulation, healing, and anesthesia.

Robert Singer, MD  FACS

La Jolla, California

Either product is useful. In the U.K. we would prefer Arnica gel, ideally this is started prior to surgery though 

Hi,
It is very difficult to compare arnica vs Vitamin K for bruising after facelift. I would use both if they is severe bruising but make sure you discuss it with your doctor. In general any bruising will eventually go away after several weeks, so a tincture of patience will help too!
Hope this helped.
Dr. Hamrah @drhamrah