Bruising is a common and normal side effect of plastic surgery. After plastic surgery, the surgical site will be bruised. It occurs to the blood left over after the intervention. During the surgery, incisions will be placed that may shear the blood vessel, thus leading to the accumulation of blood under the skin. This causes bruising, which often leads to discoloration of the affected area.
While bruising after plastic surgery can naturally disappear in the weeks following the intervention, there are many patients who want to expedite the process of healing the bruises. Fortunately, there are a number of options to treat bruising after plastic surgery, and the use of Arnica is an effective way to get rid of the bruising earlier.
When left untreated, bruising can disappear on its own within 2-3 weeks following the procedure. In the start, the bruise will be red, which will then change color to purple, black, and then yellow or green over time. After 2-3 weeks, the bruise will change color to brown, which can look aesthetically unpleasant.
While the use of compression garments, ice packs, medications, and heat will help decrease the bruising, arnica has been found to be more effective in the treatment of bruising. Studies indicate that supplements like Arnica Montana and SINECCH are helpful in decreasing bruising.
So, you may wonder: what is in arnica that helps reduce the bruising?
Arnica is a plant found mostly in Europe, North America, and Siberia. The plant’s flower has been used in medicines for centuries now. Arnica has anti-inflammatory properties that help decrease swelling. It also contains chemicals called flavonoids, which heal and bolster injured or damaged blood vessels, hence decreasing the discharge of blood under the skin. When the blood seepage is contained, the bruising decreases.
Arica for bruising is available in the form of a homeopathic cream, ointment, and pellets. A number of studies have already been substantiated into the anti-bruising properties of arnica. In my practice, I often recommend arnica in the form of Bruise stick ointment or cream to my patients after plastic surgery. The cream or ointment is applied to the affected skin.
Standardized arnica pellets are also available in grocery stores but they are not effective against bruising. Bruisekare pellets can also be used with the approval of a board-certified plastic surgeon.