Bruising after filler injections, while often harmless, can be annoying. You’re excited about the new aesthetic additions to your look, but the bruises can distract from the enhancements and make you feel like all eyes are on you. Luckily, there are a handful of things you can do before and after getting filler to help reduce the appearance of bruises and lower the chances of getting them in the first place.
Featured experts
- Kenneth Beer, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in West Palm Beach, FL
- Marina Peredo, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Sue Ellen Cox, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Durham, NC
What can cause bruising after filler?
“Annoying though it may be, bruising is an occasional result of putting a filler in,” says West Palm Beach, FL dermatologist Kenneth Beer, MD. “Typically, this occurs when a needle pierces or grazes a blood vessel. Unless there is significant damage, the blood is usually cleared by the body in that time.” However, he notes that if a bruise is a result of grazing a larger vessel, it may take more than two weeks to heal or require treatment with a pulse dye laser (more on that later).
Needle trauma can happen with anyone, but it’s more likely in some, like those more prone to bruising and those on certain medications, says New York dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD. Additionally, alcohol consumption makes bruising more likely as it decreases platelet function, she adds.
When to worry about a post-filler bruise
While post-filler bruises are generally nothing to worry about, you should keep an eye out for other signs of issues to be safe. For example, “If a bruise continues to expand, it would be concerning,” says Dr. Beer. Dr. Peredo notes that if a “patient suddenly develops severe pain at the injection site or there is blanching or mottled bluish-purple discoloration of the skin, one has to worry about intravascular occlusion,” a rare but serious complication that can occur after dermal filler injections. “It happens when the filler material is accidentally injected into a small arteriole, which leads to reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to the affected area,” and has serious potential consequences.
How to quickly get rid of bruises after filler
Be preventative
There are a handful of things you can do before your appointment to help make your healing journey smoother. Dr. Beer says picking the right injector is the first order of business. “Making sure that you are being treated by someone that knows the anatomy and is not just taking chances when they are injecting is also key to getting less bruising,” he says.
Durham, NC dermatologist Sue Ellen Cox, MD and Dr. Peredo recommend avoiding blood thinners like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, flaxseed, ginger, ginseng and celery root one week before treatment. Dr. Beer notes that it’s important to talk to your doctor about stopping any medication before doing so. Dr. Peredo also suggests skipping alcohol for 24 to 48 hours ahead of the treatment and holding off on vigorous exercise the day of.
Try topical products
Dermatological science has advanced so that there are some topical products to help with bruising. “For mild bruising, topical products like Alastin Inhance [Alastin INhance Post-Injection Serum ($69)] can be effective,” says Dr. Cox. Ask your doctor what products they recommend for your aftercare.
Pulse dye laser
Dr. Beer notes that if a bruise doesn’t heal, it may call for treatment with a pulse dye laser. Dr. Cox uses Vbeam to help reduce the appearance of bruises following filler and notes it works best when done one to two days post-injection. “A bruise that forms after injections may be treated with pulse dye laser and typically improves fast,” says Dr. Beer.
