Purple Bruising after Lip Fillers: Why & What Can You Do
Lip fillers are cosmetic procedures that have become increasingly popular among beauty enthusiasts and celebrities. These procedures aim to enhance the volume and shape of the lips.
However, concerns have been raised due to the common aftereffect of purple bruising, which has left many potential patients apprehensive.
This article aims to provide information on the different types of lip fillers, the procedure itself, and what to expect during the aftercare process. And also, we’ll discuss the details of purple bruising after lip fillers.
What are Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers (also known as dermal fillers) are small injections that add volume to areas lacking, with the lips being one of the most common areas targeted. They help enhance or restore the volume and shape of your lips, resulting in a more attractive and youthful appearance.
The main goal of lip fillers is to amplify lip thickness, correct asymmetrical lips, and produce a clearly defined smile. They can help reduce fine lines around the mouth, often called “lipstick lines.”
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Types of Lip Fillers
Lip fillers can be made from various types of materials, each with its own advantages, side effects, and lifespan. The most common type of lip filler is hyaluronic acid-based fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, and Belotero. These fillers are gel-like substances that retain water and can help enhance the lips’ shape and volume.
Other types of fillers include collagen-based fillers, though these are less common due to their shorter lifespan and potential for allergic reactions. Autologous fat injections, using fat harvested from one’s body, are another option.
The Procedure and Typical Aftercare
Getting lip fillers starts with a consultation with a professional to discuss your aesthetic goals and the most suitable filler type. The injection process is usually quick, taking under an hour.
Post-procedure, expect some swelling, tenderness, and bruising, which can be eased with an ice pack. Avoid heavy exercise, sun or heat exposure, and alcohol for at least a day after the treatment.
While results are immediate, the final result will be visible once the swelling and bruising subsides, typically within two weeks.
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Common Side Effects After Lip Filler Injections
Like any cosmetic or medical procedure, getting lip fillers has potential side effects and risks. It is crucial to remember these before deciding to proceed with the treatment.
Temporary Discomfort and Swelling
The most common side effect following a lip filler procedure is temporary discomfort and swelling. It’s a normal body reaction to the tiny wounds caused by the needle during the injections. Usually, this swelling subsides within a few hours to days.
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Redness and Tenderness around the Injection Site
Some individuals might notice a bit of redness or a tender feeling around the area where the injection was administered. This is quite a typical response and usually eases off within a few days. It’s crucial not to touch the affected area or apply cosmetics until the redness and sensitivity have entirely diminished.
Potential Risks and Complications
Although lip fillers are generally safe when performed by a certified professional, potential risks and complications can still occur. These include:
- Infection: Although rare, infection is possible whenever the skin barrier is broken. This includes procedures, including injections.
- Allergic reaction: This is especially important when using particular fillers. Particularly those that are not built upon the compound hyaluronic acid.
- Irregularities or lumps: If the filler is unevenly spread, it could create a rough appearance.
- Scarring or tissue damage: Sometimes, should the filler impede a blood vessel, tissue loss can be a consequence.
Understanding Bruises and Their Colors
While lip fillers’ side effects, like swelling and redness, are expected and generally subside quickly, bruising can be a more visually concerning outcome for many patients. To better understand why bruises – mainly purple ones – may appear after lip filler procedures, let’s delve deeper into what bruises are and why they vary in color.
Different Between Various Bruise Colors
Bruises are caused by injury to small blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface that leak blood into the surrounding tissues. This leaked blood appears as a bruise.
Bruises often undergo a sequence of color changes as they heal, starting as a reddish-blue or purple, shifting to a blue or black hue, turning green, and finally to yellow or brown as they fade.
Every one of these colors represents a distinct phase while healing takes place. It is primarily because of the degradation of the red blood cell protein, the substance that conveys oxygen in the vascular system’s cellular structure.
Why Some Bruises Appear Purple
Initially, bruises appear purple or blue due to the blood trapped under the skin. The skin acts as a ‘filter,’ as the light penetrates and diffuses through this filter, and the pooled blood appears in bluish-purple tones. This is why purple bruising may be evident after a lip filler procedure.
While bruising is generally harmless and resolves independently, some steps can be taken to minimize the risk of bruising following lip filler treatments, which will be discussed in the upcoming sections.
Causes of Purple Bruising after Lip Fillers
Purple bruising following a lip filler procedure can be an unsightly concern for many. There are several reasons why this bruising may occur, which are essential to understand before deciding to proceed with the procedure.
Delicate Lips & Blood Vessels
Our lips contain a lot of blood vessels and are easily damaged, resulting in them being vulnerable to experiencing bruise formation. While undergoing a lip filler treatment, the needle may unintentionally cut or harm these minuscule blood vessels, leading to blood escaping into the surrounding tissues and causing a bruise.
Limitations of Numbing Agents
Most lip filler procedures use a topical numbing agent to reduce pain and discomfort during the process. While these agents can effectively reduce pain, they do not prevent bruising. The physical act of the needle piercing the skin and potentially hitting a blood vessel can still result in a bruise, regardless of whether a numbing agent is used.
Injection Approach & Needle Size
The technique used to inject the filler and the size of the needle can also impact the likelihood of bruising. Highly skilled professionals can reduce bruising by preventing crucial blood vessels.
Similarly, it’s vital to mention that bruises can still happen even with meticulous procedures. Likewise, a tiny needle can lower the chance of striking a vascular structure.
Although purple bruising frequently occurs from lip injections, there are a few measures the practitioner and patient can both adopt to lower the risk of it taking place, which we will explore in the next section.
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How to reduce purple bruising after lip fillers
To reduce purple bruising after lip fillers:
- Choose an experienced practitioner to minimize trauma during the procedure.
- Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements, like aspirin and vitamin E.
- Apply a cold compress immediately after the procedure to constrict blood vessels.
- Keep your head elevated while sleeping to reduce swelling.
- Using Arnica or Bromelain to help reduce bruising.
Tips to Speed Up Healing
Here are some tips to speed up healing after getting lip fillers:
- Hydrate: Water helps eliminate harmful substances from the body. That can help decrease inflammation and bruises.
- Healthy Diet: A nutritional plan abundant in vitamins C and K can help heal. These essential elements are vital for tissue recovery and blood solidification.
- Avoid strenuous exercise: Vigorous physical activities could raise blood flow and increase inflammation and bruising. Attempt to relax for the first few days following the operation.
- Use Arnica or Bromelain: These dietary supplements can reduce bruising and swelling. Be sure to consult a healthcare practitioner before starting any new supplement regimen.
- Cold Compress: A cold compress can reduce puffiness and bruises, encouraging speedy recovery.
- Follow Post-Care Instructions: Your healthcare provider will give you detailed guidelines for after-treatment care. Following these instructions thoroughly can quickly improve your recovery.
Keep in mind that the physical body of everyone recovers at different speeds. Contact your medical practitioner if you observe any problematic symptoms or bruising that fail to improve after two weeks.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention after lip fillers if:
- You experience severe or persistent pain.
- Swelling or bruising is excessive or lasts beyond two weeks.
- You notice stubborn lumps or irregularities.
- There are signs of infection like fever, redness, warmth, or discharge.
- You show symptoms of an allergic reaction, like difficulty breathing or facial swelling.
- Skin color around the treated area changes to bluish or whitish.
How Long Does Purple Bruising Typically Last?
Purple bruising is a common, temporary side effect after lip filler procedures. Usually, bruises fade within a week and disappear entirely within two weeks. The bruise color will change from dark purple or blue, to green and yellow, before finally fading.
However, how long bruising lasts depends on individual age, skin tone, general health, and techniques used during the procedure.
Lifestyle factors like smoking and excessive alcohol can prolong bruising, while a healthy diet, hydration, and avoidance of strenuous exercise can speed up the healing process.
Concealing Techniques for Purple Bruising
Purple bruising after a lip filler procedure can be concealed using color correction techniques with makeup. Use a yellow or orange-toned corrector to neutralize the bruise, followed by your usual foundation or concealer. Choose gentle, blendable, and highly pigmented makeup products.
Summary
While purple bruising is a common side effect of lip fillers, it can be effectively managed. Choosing an experienced practitioner, adhering to pre and post-procedure care, and understanding when to seek medical attention are all crucial.
Natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments can speed healing, while makeup techniques can conceal bruising. Despite minor setbacks, lip fillers remain popular for enhancing lip aesthetics, thanks to their typically safe and transformative results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the bruising typically last?
Most bruises from lip fillers start to fade within a week and are typically gone entirely within two weeks. However, the duration can vary depending on individual factors such as age, skin tone, general health, and the technique used during the procedure.
Are there any immediate solutions to reduce purple bruising?
Although there’s no quick solution to treat bruising, using a cold pack promptly following the process may aid in reducing inflammation and decreasing bruise appearance. It is crucial to remember that this technique might not entirely minimize bruising, but it contributes to the healing process. Non-prescription topical remedies such as arnica and additional supplements like vitamin C and pineapple enzyme bromelain can also contribute to expediting the healing process.
Is it normal to have severe bruising after lip fillers?
Although minor bruising occurs frequently, severe or prolonged bruising might point to a more serious concern, for example, a blood vessel obstruction.
What precautions should I take before getting lip fillers?
Before the process, refrain from drugs and supplements that can thin your blood, like aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E. These can lead to bruising. Additionally, select a skilled and knowledgeable professional to decrease potential issues.
Can I speed up the healing process?
Yes, staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, avoiding strenuous exercise, and using home remedies such as arnica can help reduce the duration and severity of bruising.
Are there any risks involved in using home remedies for bruising?
While most home remedies for bruising are generally safe, they might only be appropriate for some. It’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider before initiating any new supplement or topical regimen, particularly if you have existing health issues or are currently on medication.
When should I seek medical attention for severe bruising?
In the event of severe or widespread bruising lasting beyond two weeks, it’s crucial to contact your healthcare provider immediately. You should also alert them if you notice other complications like lumps, irregularities in the lip area, excessive swelling, pain, pronounced redness, or any signs of an infection.
Can certain medications or medical conditions contribute to severe bruising?
Yes, people on certain medications, such as blood thinners or those with clotting disorders, might bruise more easily. Discussing your medical history with your practitioner before any procedure is essential.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2021). Dermal Fillers: Minimally Invasive Procedures.
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). Bruise: Why it changes color.
- Funt, D., Pavicic, T. (2015). Dermal fillers in aesthetics: an overview of adverse events and treatment approaches. Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology.
- American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. (2021). Lip Enhancement.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice.