How to Minimize Bruising After Facial Procedures

Do you really have to turn into an ugly duckling on the way to ultimate beauty? It depends on the procedure, but many cosmetic procedures create some temporary bruising. Tiny blood vessels beneath facial skin are easy to rupture, which spills blood into surrounding tissues and causes discoloration. There are, however, two bits of good news. One, bruises on the face clear up faster than anywhere else on the body. Two, there are things you can do before and after your procedure to minimize the funky blues, purples and greens.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Arnica montana
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Grape seed proanthocyanidins
• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• Topical arnica cream
• Ice packs
• Rosehip seed oil
• Topical vitamin K
• Yellow concealer

Before the Procedure

1. Boost bruise immunity with vitamin C. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain C plus bioflavoids, which strengthen fragile capillaries and help prevent bruising. One of the bioflavoids found to help is rutin, which is plentiful in buckwheat, giving you the perfect excuse for a big stack of buckwheat pancakes!
2. Supplement with about 9 mg of zinc each day.
3. Start taking arnica montana two days before your procedure. Take it every eight hours, and continue for 10 days.
4. Include grape-seed extract in your diet or skin care regime. It’s a powerful anti-oxidant with bruise-prevention qualities.

After the Procedure

5. Apply ice packs to affected areas when you get home. Ice the area for 10 to 20 minutes, then take a break. Repeat every two hours.
6. Apply a washcloth, soaked in hot water, for 20 minutes, three times a day once the first 24-hour period is passed. This will open up blood vessels so they can quickly carry away spilled fluids and cells under the skin.
7. Apply topical creams twice a day directly to any developing bruises. Look for ones that contain arnica or vitamin C. You can also try rosehip oil with a hint of vitamin K.
8. Camouflage any bruising with yellow-tinted concealer or cover-up. Bruises are mixtures of red and blue pigments, so applying the opposite color on the color wheel, yellow, can neutralize their appearance.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen before the procedure to minimize bruising.
• Continue taking pre-procedure supplements for at least a week after the procedure.
• I bruise easily, and I swear by arnica gel. It’s found in the health-food store and makes any kind of bruise disappear amazingly quickly.
• You can take a vitamin C supplement before the procedure, but be sure to drink plenty of water if you do so to reduce a risk of kidney stones.
• Never apply heat right after a procedure. It causes tissue swelling that can increase bleeding and worsen a bruise.
• Some people react negatively to vitamin K. Test any lotions containing this ingredient in an inconspicuous spot before using on your face.