Minimizing Bruising After Facial Filler Injections
Reversing visible signs of aging that have developed on your face without having to go through extensive plastic surgery can be accomplished through the use of various injectable fillers and neuromodulators (Dysport® and BOTOX® Cosmetic). Facial fillers have become one of the most popular and recommended alternatives to surgery. Dr. Persky is a non-invasive facial rejuvenation expert, practicing with the original fillers (collagen) and ‘toxes since 1985. In Dr. Persky’s hands these treatments are quick, easy, safe, and effective. Although Dysport®, BOTOX® Cosmetic, and injectables can provide patients with excellent and long-lasting results, unfortunately, even non-surgical procedures can come with risks and side effects, one of the most common adverse effects is bruising. There is an old adage, “You bruise ‘em, you lose ‘em!” Dr. Persky does everything possible to minimize bruising in his patients. Thankfully, there are techniques and protocols to minimize this bruising during your treatment.
If you are interested in Facial Filler Injections, please schedule your consultation with Dr. Persky by calling (818) 918-9252. Join our newsletter to receive special offers & promotions exclusively available for subscribers.
What Are Cannula Needles?
Bruising is known as one of the most common complications that come with facial injections. While some patients may experience minor bruising after their treatment for only a few days, others with sensitive skin may not be so lucky. Fortunately, Dr. Persky has found a way to reduce bruising by using the smallest needles possible, and when indicated, a blunt tipped needle not a sharp cannula.
A cannula tip is blunt and round-tipped, it does not cut sharply through the skin, blood vessels, or nerves. Unlike sharp needles, a cannula is much less likely to pierce blood vessels, which result in bruising. Likewise, they are less likely to cause pain by piercing a nerve during the injection. Cannulas may be longer than most needles and can easily reach more areas with fewer entry points into the skin. Because they are less likely to pass into your vein or artery, cannulas cause less bruising and swelling. Most importantly, cannulas add a great deal of safety to your facial filler injections. One of the most dreaded complications of injectable fillers is vascular occlusion. Vascular occlusion occurs when a filler is inadvertently injected directly into an artery or vein. The blocked artery can cause tissue loss, blindness, or even stroke. The chances of entering a blood vessel with a cannula are miniscule compared with a needle. It is critical for patients to choose their injecting physician based on the injecting physician’s expertise, knowledge (particularly of facial vascular anatomy), experience, and skill to minimize the chances of injectable filler complications. Fortunately, Dr. Persky, with his years of facial plastic surgery experience, knows the facial blood vessel anatomy and uses that knowledge to minimize adverse injectable events. In addition, Dr. Persky possesses natural artistic vision to create natural results.
Your Consultation
To minimize bruising during your facial injection treatment, we begin with our initial consultation. Patients with a history of any previous bleeding problems, medications that have “thinned” their blood, or those who struggle with high blood pressure may not undergo treatment until these issues have been evaluated and treated. You will be asked to stop all medication that can increase your chances of bleeding for at least one to two weeks. These medications include:
- Aspirin
- MOTRIN®
- Aleve®
- Advil®
- Anything with Ibuprofen as an ingredient
How Does It Work?
Since the tip of a cannula is rounded and not sharp, it cannot puncture the skin. Therefore it is necessary to use a needle of equal diameter to make a small entrance puncture in the skin through which the blunt cannula is passed. During your treatment, the round, blunt tip of the cannula needle pushes blood vessels and sensory nerves aside while injecting the filler. The opening on a cannula is located toward its tip on the side. While cannula use takes a little bit more time in inexperienced hands, it is well worth the decrease in bruising. With Dr. Persky’s years of experience with cannula use, he finds that not only are complications much less likely, but that the treatments are quicker and much less painful than with standard needle use.
Recovery
If any bleeding occurs during your treatment, manual pressure will be maintained for a few minutes on the treated area. Ice may also be used to reduce the bleeding. If Dr. Persky suspects any possibility of bruising, he will place a small clear Arnica® gel patch on the area. You will be asked to wear the patch for at least six hours and then replace the patch with a new one before you go to bed.
To learn more about cannula needles and to determine if injectable fillers are right for you, please call our office at 818-501-FACE or schedule a consultation with us online today!
Men deserve to look good too!
We are often asked, “Doc, what percent of your patients are men?” Historically, about 10-15% of our facial aesthetic patients have been men. With recent non-invasive, non-surgical treatments that are quick, easy, safe, effective, and require no downtime or much follow up, more men are seeking facial cosmetic treatments.
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery revealed that “men are turning to aesthetic cosmetic procedures, with dramatic increases seen in both surgical and nonsurgical options over the past 5 years, 43 percent increase overall.” Many men are still hesitant to be treated. This prompted us to wonder, “How is it that men are still shy about facial aesthetic treatments? It couldn’t be just about being embarrassed for wanting a smooth forehead, lifted eyelids, excellent skin tone, or a chiseled face? Could it? Well yes, not only they are embarrassed but they also don’t necessarily have the support they need to get what they want. Many men do not know what treatments are available to them! There are so many misconceptions out there. The comments that we hear most from hesitant men are “Cosmetic procedures are for women”, “I want to look like myself”, and “I don’t want my face to be feminized.” This is where the expertise of Michael Persky, MD and Sarmela Sunder, MD comes to the rescue. It takes knowledge, experience, talent, technical skill, and most importantly a natural artistic vision sense to achieve natural beauty enhancement in both men and women. There are differences in the male/female aesthetic. While most women strive to look younger, most men wish to look rich and powerful. Drs. Persky and Sunder appreciate the subtle different aesthetics in the treatment of men versus women.
Women LOVE a man who takes care of himself, beyond the shower and occasional cologne. A man who takes pride in his appearance is not vain, rather the man who takes pride in his appearance displays a certain respect for himself, looking his natural best. We listen to our patients aesthetic requests and help them achieve their goals in a natural, “non-plastic surgery done look” way. Our patients tell us over and over again, “I am very pleased with my treatment, I look like myself, only better!”
The four most popular procedures that give men the “ biggest bang for their buck”are Botox®, Voluma, Ultherapy (non-invasive lifting of the face, neck and brows), and blepharoplasty (eyelid lift). Those particular procedures can give any man the boost of self-confidence and facial rejuvenation without compromising their masculinity or manhood. You can trust you face to these two board certified facial plastic surgeons. Feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have regarding facial aesthetics. Be well.
“What is beautiful is the honor of being Louis’ mother.”
Sandra Bullock
Congratulations to Sandra Bullock, People Magazine’s 2015 Most Beautiful Woman. The common feature of the beautiful woman featured in “The
World’s Most Beautiful issue (#MostBeautiful) is the exquisite symmetrical geometric proportions of their faces. Leonardo da Vinci used mathematics and observation dividing the face into horizontal thirds and vertical fifths (each fifth the width of the distance between the inter corners of the eyes.) da Vinci(1485) discovered the “Devine” ratio of 1 to 1.68 representing beauty. For instance, if the upper lip is 1 unit wide, a beautiful natural lower lip should be 1.68 units wide. The same holds for the width of a nose to the length of it.
We meet new patients everyday who request an honest evaluation of their facial appearance. Fortunately, both Dr. Sarmela Sunder and Dr. Michael Persky are experts trained in facial proportions and facial anatomy. We use the classic golden proportions first used by da Vinci in his art to guide our facial aesthetic procedures, whether with injectable fillers or surgical procedures.
We take our time to evaluate the patient’s anatomy, listen to their wishes, get to know what their motivation is for their treatment wishes, and establish a relationship and plan for their optimum treatment. We then use our experience and skill with stage of the art procedures to carry out the cosmetic plan in the most effective, safe, comfortable, and cost effective manner with the ultimate goal being natural beauty, a rested, refreshed appearance.
Once again congratulations to Sandra, a most beautiful woman. Be well!
Dr. Michael Persky and Dr. Sarmela Sunder are located in Encino, California and Beverly Hills, California but service all of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Including, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Hancock Park, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Westlake, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, La Canada, Pasadena, and more. Please subscribe to our blog by clicking the link above, right, and “Like” us on Facebook. Thank you! + Michael Persky
The effects of aging are most noticeable on the face as it bears the full impact of dirt and dust, environmental pollution and harmful UV rays of the sun. This results in the skin losing its elasticity and sagging in the region of the neck, drooping eyebrows and a baggy look around the eyes and lips. People in their late thirties and early forties are also facing this problem. Even a couple of years back, the only treatment available was a facelift, a completely surgical method. But with the introduction of Ultherapy in the USA a couple of years back, this has been simplified to a great extent. If you contact Dr Persky at 818-501-3223 for facial plastic surgery in Encino, he will tell you how much Ulthera in Los Angeles has gained in popularity over conventional surgical facelifts.
Ulthera is an ultra-sound device that is handheld and placed on the areas of the face that has to be tightened and targets particular muscles. Hence it is totally non-surgical and non-invasive in nature. Some patients report discomfort and a hot stinging pain. It is usually taken care of through local anesthesia or oral pain-killing medication. Surgeons who conduct facial plastic surgery in Encino often let cool air blow over the area to reduce the sensations. The whole process takes about an hour and is done in the office. Because there are no scars or swelling to heal, there is no downtime or recovery period. One can go for Ulthera in Los Angeles and resume normal activities almost immediately.
The full effect of ultherapy takes about 2 to 3 months to be visible. The patient will look absolutely rejuvenated and youthful and this will last for about 2 years when a second treatment will be required. Those in the age range of 35 to 60 will benefit most from ultherapy.
Dr. Michael Persky and Dr. Sarmela Sunder are located in Encino, California and Beverly Hills, California but service all of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Including, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Hancock Park, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Westlake, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, La Canada, Pasadena, and more. Please subscribe to our blog by clicking the link above, right, and “Like” us on Facebook. Thank you! + Michael Persky
“Cathryn is simply the best! As an actor, getting that perfect shot that captures and takes YOU in an environment where you can be YOU! Cathryn makes it easy. She is professional, free-spirited, and amazing behind the lens!! I will always trust her to capture the shot I need and all those in between I didn’t know I was looking for.”
– kyle david pierce
Living in Los Angeles, being so close to Hollywood and the studios, we are often asked whom we reccommend for professional head shots. Both Dr. Sarmela Sunder and Dr. Michael Persky have been very impressed with the beautiful and natural head shots by photo artist Ms. Cathryn Farnsworth here in Hollywood.
Just as it is essential that we have artistic vision when treating our patients, Ms. Farnsworth has true artistic vision. Her photos capture the beauty that we all possess. We met Ms. Farnsworth when she shot an article about Dr. Sunder and I in Ventura Blvd Magazine last year. As talented as she is with her camera, she is that much more pleasant of a person to work with. Ms. Farnsworth is not only our favorite head shot photographer, she was the”WINNER Favorite Headshot Photographer in Los Angeles 2011“. Be well and photograph beautifully!
Ms. Farnsworth may be contacted at info@cathrynfarnsworthheadshots.com or 818.481.5551.
Dr. Michael Persky and Dr. Sarmela Sunder are located in Encino, California and Beverly Hills, California (The Lasky Clinic) but service all of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Including, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Hancock Park, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Westlake, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, La Canada, Pasadena, and more. Please subscribe to our blog by clicking the link above, right, and “Like” us on Facebook. Thank you!
+ Michael Persky
