When you see your doctor for a cosmetic procedure to make you look younger or better overall — the last thing you want is to leave the office with a bruised face.
When needles are involved, there’s always a chance of bruising.
Dr. Lady Dy of Dy Dermatology Center in Glenview, Illinois looks out for her patients in many ways, including by using the latest technology to bring down the chance of bruising dramatically.
The technology is pricey — but Dr. Dy says her patients are worth it. It’s one of the ways Dr. Dy stays ahead of the industry when it come to cutting-edge treatments and devices.
Dr Dy. is now incorporating a new device in her procedures, improving patient experience and reducing healing time. It’s called AccuVein.
With cosmetic injectables, avoiding facial veins can be very useful in minimizing bruising and possible migration of the injected fluids.
AccuVein is a breakthrough device that improves the aesthetic treatment process for patients by locating and mapping veins using vein illumination. The illumination picks up even the smallest veins that might otherwise be undetectable without a vein locator during cosmetic procedures. Vein visualization is proven technology. Thousands of hospitals around the world have implemented it and many have now adopted it as their standard of care.
AccuVein can help in cosmetic procedures to:
- Locate and avoid veins
- Minimize bruising
- Reduce healing time by optimizing site selection
- Improve patient satisfaction
By mapping out each patient’s veins, Dr. Dy knows where to inject, thus minimizing bruising. The AccuVein device provides more effective procedures with less patient discomfort, resulting in higher patient satisfaction.
The science behind AccuVein
The AccuVein device uses two lasers. One is an invisible infrared light used to detect hemoglobin in the veins, which absorbs the infrared light. The second is a visible red light used to project the vein pattern. When the AccuVein device is held above the skin, veins appear noticeably different than the surrounding tissue, allowing dermatologists to determine vein location and if it should be avoided, or if it is safe to use for treatment.
Here’s what makes AccuVein a cutting-edge device:
- It’s easy to learn and easy to use. The device can be used immediately: there is no need for calibrations or adjustments before use.
- It’s compact. The small device weighs only 10 ounces and fits in the palm of your dermatologist’s hand.
- There is a hands-free option. The device can be placed on a wheeled hands-free accessory in situations that require hands-free use.
- It delivers accuracy. The device is permanently aligned, and the centerline accuracy is less than the width of a human hair.
- It works in versatile settings. The device can be used in light or darkly lit environments.
- It detects even the smallest veins. In addition to the standard viewing option, the AV400 has an inverse mode which can enhance the visibility of small veins.
- It is movement tolerant. The device shows the veins in real time and can tolerate patient movement during the procedure.
In general, the type of cosmetic treatment you receive may influence whether you bruise or not.
Hyaluronic fillers (Juvederm, Restylane) are more likely to cause bruising than wrinkle reducers (Botox, Dysport) because the material is thicker and the needle is injected deeper into skin folds.
Here are some do’s and don’ts to further minimize bruising after a procedure.
Before Your Treatment
Avoid supplements that thin the blood: Supplements that have blood thinning effects include dong quai, fish oil, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, green tea, red clover, and vitamin E. These should be discontinued a week before getting fillers. These supplements may increase bleeding especially if you’re taking blood-thinning medications like warfarin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Avoid blood thinning medications: A number of medications make your blood less likely to clot including aspirin, Midol, Excedrin, and NSAIDs (Advil, Motrin, Naproxen, Aleve). These medications should be discontinued a week before and 1 day following your appointment.
Take Arnica: Take the pills a week before the procedure or the day of the procedure, available in Dr. Dy’s clinic.
After Your Treatment
Ice: Apply ice following your procedure to help prevent bruising.
Prop With a Pillow: Use an extra pillow the night of your procedure to keep your head elevated.
If you receive aesthetic treatments from Dr. Dy, or are considering them, make an appointment to learn more about your options and how the new AccuVein device can change your treatment experience.
Dr. Lady Dy is one of the most sought after dermatologists in the United States. She has studied all over the world and has worked with the world’s leading experts in skin and hair. Her patients fly from all over North America, Dubai, Norway and Korea to be treated by her in Chicago. To learn more about laser treatments, contact Dy Dermatology Center. Click here to request an appointment or call the dermatology center at (847) 832-1185.