4 Tips on Preventing Bruising From Cosmetic Injectable Treatments

One of the reasons cosmetic injectables are so popular is that they’re largely side-effect-free, except for post-injection bruising, which you can minimize, if not avoid, with these practices.

It’s no exaggeration to say that cosmetic injectables, such as dermal fillers and neuromodulators like Botox®, represent a revolution in the way we approach aging. Instead of invasive surgery, we can get dramatic results with just a few simple injections.

Given these benefits and the ease of cosmetic injectables, it’s little wonder that there were nearly 20 million cosmetic injectable treatments performed in the United States in 2024.

Another great benefit of cosmetic injectables is that side effects are minimal, and the most common complaint — post-injection bruising — is minor. Still, it’s a side effect that you can avoid or minimize if you follow a few simple strategies.

Our Skin Shop MedSpa team, including Dr. Tiffany Su and Dr. Hui “He” Kang, has extensive experience with cosmetic injectables, and here’s what we’ve learned about minimizing post-injection bruising.

1. Choose the correct injectors

The first thing you should prioritize is finding a clinic that features accredited, experienced, and highly trained injector providers. At our med spa, this expertise comes from the top with Dr. Su, a key opinion leader in the world of injectables.

Dr. Su has served as a national trainer for cosmetic injectable manufacturers, such as Jeuveau®, and was also a former national trainer for Derma Medical and Cosmetic Injector Academy.

In these roles, Dr. Su doesn’t just follow best practices; she created them, and this includes practices centered around delivering injections in a way that minimizes bruising.

For example, Dr. Su understands that the angle and movement of the needle matter as much as the location. The amount of the injection and site prep can also contribute to bruising.

So, from the start, you’re in excellent hands with Dr. Su, who makes every effort to avoid post-injection bruising after dermal filler and neuromodulator treatments.

The Venus Versa Pro is a versatile machine that combines several technologies for aesthetic treatments:

Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF): This is the technology that aids in bruise treatment. PEMF works by increasing blood circulation and encouraging the body's natural healing response to resolve bruises faster.

2. Ice and more ice

There are also steps you can take to minimize bruising, and a key one is icing the injection site after your treatment for about 10 minutes every couple of hours for the first day.

3. Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements

Another great way to prevent bruising is by avoiding medications and supplements that can thin your blood, such as:

Ibuprofen
Aspirin
Garlic
Tumeric
Ginkgo biloba
St. John’s wort
Vitamin E

If you’re taking blood thinners for your health, please continue to take them — some minor bruising is a small price to pay for your overall health!

4. Avoid vigorous exercise

If you love to really push yourself during exercise, we recommend giving it a rest for a couple of days after your cosmetic injectable treatment. Now is not the time to work out until you’re red in the face, as this added blood flow can lead to bruising.

With the right choice in provider and some effort on your part, it is possible to avoid or minimize post-injection bruising. Keep in mind that some people bruise easily, and this might be the price of entry for your great results.

If you have more questions about bruising after cosmetic injectables or you’d like to schedule your treatments today, contact our office in Houston, Texas, at 713-701-1717. You can also schedule an appointment online by clicking the book online feature at the top of the page.