Bruise Management After BOTOX®

BOTOX® remains the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in the country, with more than 7.7 million treatments performed in 2019. Our patients certainly seem to appreciate the rejuvenating effects of BOTOX and other medical spa types of services at our Baton Rouge, Hammond, and Denham Springs offices.

While BOTOX is a simple, nonsurgical procedure that requires no downtime, post-treatment reactions such as bruising can occasionally happen. In this blog post, we’ll talk about what causes post-injection bruising and explain what you can do to ease it.

Why do I bruise after BOTOX?

Bruising after receiving a BOTOX treatment is rare, but it can happen to some. Even the best physicians can cause a patient to bruise after administering BOTOX. It often occurs when the needle knicks a blood vessel, allowing blood to leak below the skin’s surface and causing the surface to appear reddish and/or purple.

Chances of bruising increase in patients on blood thinners, such as aspirins and ibuprofens, and we discuss the use of NSAIDS and more in the video below. The risk of bruising also increases in patients who frequently drink alcoholic beverages. Such ingestions increase blood flow, which increases inflammations to the treated area. You can read more about some of the issues contributing to bruising in this article published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.

How do you get rid of bruising from BOTOX?

Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce bruising or manage it if it occurs.

Arnica Montana

We advise patients to use VitaMedica’s Arnica montana before and after BOTOX treatment to relieve bruising and swelling. Arnica montana is a natural product that comes from a plant organically grown in the United States and Europe, and it can be purchased in the office without a prescription.

Ice Packs

Applying ice packs to the treatment area also reduces the chance of getting a bruise by reducing blood flow to the area. While ice is extremely effective in bruise reduction and should be applied before and after a BOTOX treatment, it should never be applied directly to the skin. Instead, use ice wrapped in a thin cloth. If you’ve had dermal fillers such as JUVÉDERM® injected at the same time, using ice packs can also help reduce the swelling that sometimes follows lip injections. You can learn more about the benefits of combining BOTOX with dermal fillers in this related blog post.

Vitamin C

We also encourage taking vitamin C and eating foods high in bioflavonoids to strengthen blood vessels. Such foods include citrus fruits, red bell peppers, broccoli, and green teas.

How long does bruising last after BOTOX?

If you still see bruising in the treated area, no worries. Bruising usually lasts between 2 and 3 days, but it can last up to 7 days in some cases. Keep in mind that everyone heals differently and at their own pace. You can see some of our real patients’ results in our BOTOX before-and-after photo gallery.

If you’re ready to explore whether BOTOX is right for you, choosing a qualified team at a respected plastic surgery office in Baton Rouge can help ensure you achieve excellent results. Use our online form to request a consultation or call us at (225) 399-0001 in Baton Rouge, (225) 399-0011 in downtown Baton Rouge, (985) 902-7770 in Hammond, or (225) 900-7002 in Denham Springs.

Published 8/29/2014; Updated 11/3/2020