Appearance takes work. It’s upkeep. It’s change. And sometimes, beauty means bruising. While not all cosmetic procedures result in bruising, there are several that might. This is especially true for procedures like facelifts, rhinoplasty and sometimes injectables.
Bruising after surgery is the result of blood leaking from small vessels, or capillaries, once a surgery procedure is complete. Most vessels are cauterized during surgery, but this “leakage” is caused once the blood pressure returns to normal. Bruising can appear black, dark purple or blue. When a bruise starts to subside, it fades down to green, yellow and brown hues until it returns to the normal and supple dermis you’re used to.
Dr. Azzi prides himself on the very minimal amount (if any) bruising that patients experience after a procedure. While significant bruising is uncommon following Dr. Azzi’s procedures and injections, there are a series of precautions patients can take to decrease their chances of having these unsightly dark spots, especially if you’re using a surgeon other than Dr. Jean-Paul Azzi.
One of the easiest preventative methods is to check what you’re putting into your body with your doctor. There are common medications and vitamins like Aspirin, Warfarin, Vitamin E and Fish Oil that actually increase your body’s chances of bruising.
Also, consider your diet leading up to a procedure. Salt is not good for managing swelling. With that said, there are things you can put in and on your body that are good for bruising. Eggs and yogurt are amazing sources of Vitamin K, which actually help to reduce the appearance of swelling.
Doctor Jean-Paul Azzi’s secret weapon is Arnica Montana. This herb primarily grows in Siberia and central Europe and has been used to decrease bruising for centuries. Arnica can be taken orally or applied topically and should be started a few days prior to your visit. It’s best to continue using Arnica all the way up until your bruising disappears.
Next, ice therapy. Immediately applying a cold compress or ice pack after an injection or procedure can dramatically cut down the amount of bruising that will occur. Be sure not to place ice directly on to your skin. Instead, place something like a towel between the ice and your skin.
Timing is everything. If you know you have something coming up where you need to look your best, it is definitely recommended to schedule any treatment one to two full weeks ahead of that date (depending on the procedure). This will ensure swelling and bruising are gone and that you can look fresh and youthful for the world to see.
Finally, in the event something comes up and you do have a bit of bruising there are different lines of makeup made specifically to help hide imperfections of the skin. Brands like Dermablend and Kat Von D both have products perfect for this sort of thing. If you need to color correct and then apply foundation, use yellow or salmon color corrector to neutralize any purple or blue hues. For blue and green hues, use red to help neutralize the color of the bruise.
Of course, not everyone bruises the same and it’s different from case to case. You might bruise a lot after a procedure, or you may not bruise at all. Regardless, it’s never a bad idea to be prepared.
If you’re nervous about a particular procedure, the best thing to do is talk to a professional like double board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Doctor Jean-Paul Azzi. His offices are conveniently located in Jupiter and Palm City to serve patients across all of South Florida. Call to schedule a consultation today! (561) 429-5403
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