With so many choices for injectable filler treatments today, it's easy to keep a youthful and natural appearance.  But what steps can be taken to ensure these procedures go smoothly with minimal side effects?

At Premier Dermatology, MD we offer the following suggestions to our patients:

Before your treatment:
Bruising is common after treatments.  But there are some things that can help minimize it: avoid taking blood thinners such as aspirin, naproxen (Aleeve), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), vitamin E supplements, fish oil, garlic tablets, ginko biloba, and ginseng for 7-10 days prior to treatments.  Caveat: if a physician has prescribed these for you, do not stop them without checking with the physician first.  Arnica tablets, starting on the day of the treatment, may help prevent bruising, as may bromelin (found in pineapples).  And it goes without saying to have the treatment done with a board certified core physician (dermatologist, plastic surgeon) with cosmetic experience.

During treatment:
Topical anesthetic cream is applied 30 minutes before the procedure to numb the skin.  Since most fillers are pre-mixed with lidocaine (and the ones that aren't can be mixed in the office), the injections themselves should cause minimal discomfort.  Applying ice during and after the procedure helps with discomfort and minimizes swelling.  Using smaller needles and injecting more slowly helps as well.  Proper placement of the filler and physician massage should prevent lumps from forming.

After treatment:
The arnica can be continued to help reduce bruising.  It is usually recommended that patients avoid exercise the day of a filler treatment, to help reduce swelling.  Sleeping on two pillows helps, too.  It's normal to see some swelling for a few days after treatments, especially following lip injections.  It's a good idea to follow up with your physician two weeks after the treatment for an evaluation.  If there are any concerns, always call your physician.  Dr. Bilu Martin's patients can reach her cell phone anytime.       

Even though minor side effects can't always be completely avoided, with a little care and planning, they can be minimized.  A little bit of filler can make a big impact - with little to no downtime!