How Much Bruising Is Normal After Fillers?

Bruising is a normal side effect after the dermal fillers due to trauma from the needles. The side effect disappears after hours. This blog discusses the extent of bruising and how one should maintain the bruising below normal.

If you want to eliminate wrinkles, fine lines, and loose skin on your face, face filler is an ideal solution. However, face filler injections are prone to risks like bruising, swelling, and bruising. The human face has many blood vessels under the skin making it more susceptible to bruising. Bruising occurs when blood vessels get pierced, leaking blood into the tissue under the skin. It is normal to get bruised when an injection is administered.

Bruising that takes 5-7 days after injection is considered normal. If it takes more than this period, it may be a more severe complication called a hematoma. A hematoma is a mass collection of blood outside the blood vessels. If the mass gets infected, it may cause the death of the surrounding tissues. Bruising mainly occurs in areas where the skin shows more signs of aging; this includes under the eye, in the tear troughs, and the upper lip. Areas with nasolabial folds and marionette lines also have a higher chance of getting bruised from the filler injection. Bruising may be avoidable if the procedure is carried out correctly.

Cause of Bruising

Bruising may result from prior injection reasons or after-injection reasons. The

following reduce bruising;

Pre-Injection Tips

In the UK, the aesthetics industry is almost unregulated. For this reason, there is an increase in unqualified cosmetic doctors performing face filler procedures. Make sure you choose a cosmetic doctor capable of injecting correctly. The injection technique can significantly determine the extent of bruising on the patient. Aesthetic creams are mainly used to numb the area of injection. They also can constrict blood vessels and reduce bruising.

Avoid using medications, supplements, and foods that can thin your blood. Blood thinners tend to make blood hard to clot, thus increasing the chances of bruising. They include aspirins, fish oils, vitamin E, Ginseng contents, Excedrin, and some food ingredients like garlic.

Avoid taking alcohol 1 to 2 days before the injection. According to De Boulle &Heydenrych (2015), alcohol relaxes and opens blood vessels. It is better to avoid taking alcohol altogether.

Eating pineapple can reduce the chances of bruising. According to Konda &Thappa (2013), taking homeopathic products before the procedure can prepare the body against the formation of a hematoma.

Post Injection Tips

Wait for at least 24hrs before applying any makeup, especially on the injected area.

Avoid any vigorous activities like exercises after injection. Preferably at least two days after injection.

Avoid getting filler injections shortly before you attend an event; you can have the treatment done at least two weeks before the event to allow your face some recovery time. Please do not touch the area at least 6 hours after treatment unless while cleaning it. Clean the area to avoid bacterial infection. 

How to Know That Face Filler Treatment Was Done Badly

Bruising is not a reason to say your injection procedure was poorly done. Even though a lousy injection technique can cause bruising, mild bruising is normal. However, the signs can make it evident that the procedure was not done correctly, depending on the area of filler injection. These include:

• Lips appear bumpy. Lips develop hard lumps that fail to disappear days after the injection day. It may be caused by allergic reactions, hypersensitivity, or poor-quality filler. Getting the procedure from an inexperienced cosmetic doctor can bump the lips due to uneven injection, injecting too much filler into the lips, and too superficially.
• Lips assume asymmetrical shapes. This is a result of a poor injection technique.
• The face looks too full. A young face is usually even and has no loose skin. Using too much filler will make a face look full and lumpy.
• Injected cheeks may change how your eyes look. The purpose of this filler injection is to increase the volume in your cheeks. Seeing all your cheeks when you face down means that the filler added was overdone.
• Your nose looks wider than usual. One of the negative effects of nose filler is the nose appearing wider after injection; this appearance is referred to as an avatar nose.
• Chin appears too long. Fillers can be used to correct chin asymmetry and give a natural look. If the chin seems too long and pointy, it could signify too much filler.

Severe and prolonged pain in the area of injection. Oranges et al. (2021) stated that pains resulting from filler injection should only be moderate but not severe. They should only last for a short period after injection. Pain may be a result of bruising and swelling. Prolonged pains should not be taken lightly. They might be a sign of a complication. According to Sung et al. (2012), prolonged pain may be a sign of lumps and skin damage that may result in severe wounds, painful asymmetric results, necrosis, infections, and allergic reactions in the injected area.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fillers

How Long Does Filler Treatment Take?

The time taken depends on the area being injected and the amount of filler required for the treatment. The process can take about 15 minutes. If the procedure is intensive, like the liquid facelift, it can take 30 minutes to 1 hour. If a numbing cream is used, the patient must wait at least 20 minutes for it to kick in before treatment starts.

Who Is Not a Suitable Candidate for Fillers?

You should not get a filler treatment if you are:

• Pregnant
• Breastfeeding 
• Allergic to any ingredient of the filler
• If your skin has an infection

How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

The hyaluronic acid fillers effect lasts 6 to 24 months after treatment. However, it is important to note that the duration varies from one person to the other because of the difference in metabolism.

Conclusion

Although you do not need to worry about bruising after the filler injection, you must take precautions both before and after the injection to prevent or manage the extent of it. Consult your doctor anytime you experience prolonged bruising to avoid any possible complications. Remember, fillers are supposed to improve your appearance but not to change how you look. You should avoid getting too much filler into the required area. Talk to a good cosmetic doctor to know how much filler is too much and which filler is best to use; make it a priority to choose the best cosmetic doctor for the treatment.

References

De Boulle, K., & Heydenrych, I. (2015). Patient factors influencing dermal filler complications: prevention, assessment, and treatment. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 8, 205.

Konda, D., &Thappa, D. M. (2013). Mesotherapy: What is new. Indian J Dermatol VenereolLeprol, 79(1), 127-34.

Oranges, C. M., Brucato, D., Schaefer, D. J., Kalbermatten, D. F., & Harder, Y. (2021). Complications of nonpermanent facial fillers: a systematic review. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 9(10).

Sung, H. M., Suh, I. S., Lee, H. B., Tak, K. S., Moon, K. M., & Jung, M. S. (2012). Case reports of adipose-derived stem cell therapy for nasal skin necrosis after filler injection. Archives of Plastic Surgery, 39(01), 51-54.