Summary
- The reason is because your tiny blood vessels can be pierced during injection. It is very common around delicate areas like crow’s feet. Your skin type, lifestyle, and current medication are also some of the factors why it happens.
- To prevent this, you should avoid blood-thinners and avoid consuming alcohol 3–7 days prior to the treatment. An experienced clinic is also important.
- For post-treatment, it is recommended to use cold compresses, arnica, vitamin C and K, and hydration. You should also avoid any heavy exercise and excessive heat for 24 to 48 hours.
- If you notice any persistent or increasing bruising for more than 10–14 days, severe swelling, signs of infection, immediately communicate to your clinic for medical action.
What You Will Learn
- You will learn about why bruising happens after Botox and who are the people who are at most risk.
- You will learn to identify simple steps on how to prevent it or minimise bruising before and after treatment.
- You will learn about different safe home remedies and when is the best time to seek professional advice.
- You will learn about how to confidently address bruising concerns and manage its appearance.
Understanding The Reason Behind Bruising After Botox
Bruising after botox is one of the common side effects that you might encounter. You don’t need to worry because it is typically harmless and will fade after a few days from the time of your treatment. This happens when the tiny needle accidentally nicks a small blood vessel under your skin. A small amount of blood leaks into the surrounding tissue which leads to bruising. This side effect is very common and even the skilled injectors or clinic could not completely prevent it from happening.
Anyone can experience bruising after botox, however, there are certain people who are more prone to it because of their anatomy. If you have thinner skin, especially with aging skin, or you are also taking any blood-thinning medications, you are most likely to develop bruises after your treatment. Your lifestyle could also affect the visibility of it. If you often drink alcohol or do intense exercise 24 hours before your treatment, this could possibly happen. Bruising is not something that you should be worrying about but, if it becomes persistent and you have had it, you need to contact your clinic and have it checked.
What Are The Common Factors That Lead to Bruises After Botox
- Bruising usually depends on the specific area being treated and the technique used by your injector. If you are treating crow’s feet, which is usually the skin under your eyes, this area is usually thin and sits over a dense network of tiny blood vessels. The vessels are too close to the surface that’s why even if your injector is skilled enough doing it using a fine needle, it could still possibly create a minor bruise afterwards.
- Prior to your treatment, the things you do have a huge impact on the possibility of having bruises. What you eat, drink, and take as medicine will be one of the few leading factors in bruising after botox. Make sure to avoid consuming any alcohol too because it also plays a huge factor in causing bruises. Most clinics in the UK usually recommend avoiding any alcohol intake and blood-thinning medications for at least 28 to 48 hours before your scheduled treatment.
- Genetics is also one of the reasons why you could possibly develop bruising after botox. Most people have more fragile capillary walls that are easily broken under the slight pressure of a needle. As the skin naturally ages, your skin type also needs to be assessed because as your skin loses collagen and becomes thinner, this could increase the risks of bruises afterwards.
- After your botox treatment, you will then be advised not to have an intensive exercise for at least 24 to 48 hours. Doing high-intensity exercise right after Botox is a leading cause of bruising because it gets your heart pumping and increases blood pressure. It is best to rest for a few hours and avoid any high impact activity.
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Verified Before & After
Verified Before & After
Is It Dangerous to Experience Bruising After Botox?
Bruising is after botox is completely normal and not considered dangerous. It is one of the common minor side effects of any injection-based treatment. This would usually appear after a few hours of the treatment and will eventually disappear after a few days. This usually looks like small blue or purple dots within your skin. While yes it is considered normal and not dangerous, you still need to monitor it after your treatment. Usually it fades after a week, if you notice that your bruising is still visible after a week, you should seek help with your clinic. If you experience severed, throbbing pain, and extreme swelling, this is not a normal side effect of bruising and this will need immediate medical attention.
Make sure to discuss with your clinic about the possible side effects of it especially with bruising so you would know what to monitor after the treatment.
How to Manage Bruising After Botox
- Home remedies & care tips
There are a few home remedies that you can do if you experience bruising after botox. The most effective home remedy is applying a cold compress to the area. This could help the blood vessels to shrink and stop any minor bleeding under your skin. You should wrap the ice in a piece of clean cloth and apply it to your skin for 10 to 15 minutes every hour during the first day. Aside from this, you can also apply Vitamin K cream directly to the bruise. Combining all these, a complete rest, staying hydrated, and avoiding any intensive heat for at least 48 hours can help you gradually fade the bruises after botox.
- Preventative measures before and during treatment
It’s not about taking care of your skin after the treatment, what you do before Botox is also important. Make sure to avoid consuming any alcohol too because it also plays a huge factor in causing bruises. Most clinics in the UK usually recommend avoiding any alcohol intake and blood-thinning medications for at least 28 to 48 hours before your scheduled treatment. Make sure to also look for qualified and skilled clinics that will perform your Botox. Choosing a highly qualified team that uses advanced techniques significantly lowers your risk.
- Concealing bruises through make up
If you need your bruises for an event, colour-correcting makeup is the solution for you. Bruises change colour as they heal, so you’ll need to use the opposite colour to cancel them out. Colour correctors are mostly green, peach, and yellow. Gently dab over the bruise with a clean finger or sponge. You should not rub it, as this could irritate the area as it heals. After doing this, you can now apply your usual foundation on top of it.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does bruising after Botox typically last?
Bruising usually takes 3 to 7 days. However, it still depends on your skin and could sometimes lead up to 14 days.
- Can I apply ice after Botox treatment?
Yes. Cold compress is one of the most effective remedies to bruises. Just make sure to wrap it using a clean cloth before applying it to your skin.
- When should I contact my practitioner about bruising?
If it’s been weeks and bruising worsens. During this time you might also experience pain along with the bruises, make sure to seek your clinic’s help right away.
- Is bruising after Botox a sign of danger?
No. Bruising is completely normal for any injection-based treatment and considered as minor side effects of it.However, there might be cases in which you may experience severe bruising which often depends on your anatomy.
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