EVER WONDER WHY YOU BRUISE SO EASILY?
- Posted on: Sep 10 2023
Have you ever noticed a bruise somewhere on your body and thought to yourself, “How did that happen? I don’t remember doing anything that could cause a bruise.” Well, it could be from a supplement that you take.
While it’s not the most common knowledge due to the fact that packaging requirements can leave this information off, there are many herbal supplements that have a blood-thinning effect, including:
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Feverfew
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Grapeseed
- Kava
- Capsicum
The effects that these oral supplements have may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. This will prolong your healing time, cause bruising, or require touch-ups on permanent makeup.
None of these side effects are the end of the world, but keep in mind that if you bleed more than the norm, it can make it more difficult to get the results you desire. Some of the most common medications include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. But, it doesn’t stop there.
Does Fish Oil Cause Bruising?
Many patients don’t realize until scheduling a treatment that some of their herbal supplements, including fish oil, need to be put on pause as well. Fish oils or omega-3 fatty acids can cause bruising, and the blood-thinning effect leads to more bleeding during and after treatments.
Did you know that omega-3 fatty acids aren’t just found in fish oil supplements and fish? They are also in a variety of healthy foods we consume every day. While omega-3 fatty acids are healthy and provide the body with anti-inflammatory properties, reducing or eliminating them temporarily before any treatment(s) that may include bleeding and/or bruising will lead to the smoothest recovery.
High levels of omega-3 fatty acids are found in:
- Flaxseed oil
- Nuts (highest in macadamias)
- Sesame seeds
- Avocados
Papain and bromelain, which are common digestive enzymes, may also increase that risk and are naturally found in papaya and pineapple. Certain herbs and spices taken as a supplement that are also used in cooking can have an increased bleeding risk as well such as celery, parsley, clove, onion, and turmeric.
Do you enjoy chamomile tea in the evening? It turns out your evening chamomile tea can make you bruise more easily as well. Lastly, let’s not forget vitamin E. Many people take vitamin E for its antioxidant properties and it may already be in your multivitamin.
Pause Supplement Intake Before These Med Spa Treatments*
If you are a client of Always Beautiful Medspa then you know that if you are going to have a treatment that may involve bruising or bleeding, we ask you to stop taking certain medications and supplements up to a week before your appointment. Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that every patient situation is unique. When you meet with a team of specialists, you will have specific advice given for the treatments you’re interested in, related to your medications and supplements.
Examples of treatments that you will likely need to pause supplement intake for include:
- Juvéderm
- Botox & Dysport
- Kybella
- Sculptra
- Vivace RF Microneedling
- Aquagold
- Lasers
- CoolSculpting Elite
- CoolTone
Those who are on anticoagulant medications including Coumadin, warfarin, Pradaxa, Xarelto, or Plavix need to be especially aware and cautious of these medications and herbal supplements.
If you are taking glucosamine for joint health, check your bottle to see if it contains chondroitin sulfate. Glucosamine and chondroitin are often combined together for joint health. Studies show chondroitin sulfate can increase your bleeding and bruising risk.
We recommend keeping a list on hand and referring to it as needed.
Choosing the Best Med Spa Provider Near You
Most people can temporarily discontinue herbal supplements and restart them without any side effects, but anyone who is taking a medication that has a blood-thinning effect, or an anti-coagulant, for medical purposes needs to consult with their doctor before discontinuing for any reason, even if it’s temporary.
Finding a provider that you trust, who has your best interests at heart and your safety top of mind, will make all the difference in your med spa experience. If you’re in the Denver area, the team at Always Beautiful is here to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable – we offer our best advice and state-of-the-art technology to bring you transformational results. Give us a call at (720) 280-7016 to learn more about supplements and med spa treatments.
*DISCLAIMER*
The information provided by Always Beautiful Medical Aesthetics & Cosmetics is for general information purposes only. All information is provided in good faith, with no representation, medical advice, or guarantee of any kind. Please schedule a free consultation with our providers to learn more about medical spa treatments and supplement intake.
Tagged with: Aurora, bleeding, Botox, bruises, bruising, Co, Colorado, Denver, Juvederm, permanent cosmetics, Permanent Makeup, Southlands, Voluma
Posted in: Articles by Date, Botox, CoolSculpting, CoolTone
Meet Ali McCoy Stengel, LE, RN, BSN
Denver Area Aesthetic Injector, Speaker, and Trainer
My name is Ali and I am the founder, owner, and Master Nurse Injector at Always Beautiful® Medspa. I have been in medicine since 2002, although my passion for facial aesthetics began much earlier. Growing up with acne and self-esteem issues, it became my mission to help others feel comfortable in their skin. Bringing beauty and medicine together became the ultimate pairing to educate the patient, staff, and injector for a safe experience and natural results.
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