You have booked your Botox or filler appointment, and you are feeling prepared, but have you checked your bathroom cabinet and supplement drawer? What you put into and onto your body in the days before an injectable treatment can have a real impact on your results, your comfort, and how quickly you recover. Bruising is the most common concern among clients at Éclat & Harmonie Studio Clinic, and the good news is that much of it can be minimised with the right preparation. Here is exactly what to avoid before Botox and fillers, why each item matters, and when to stop.
Blood-Thinning Supplements: The Hidden Bruising Risk
Many popular supplements have mild anticoagulant or antiplatelet effects, reducing the blood's ability to clot efficiently. If your blood is slower to clot, any bruise from needle puncture may be larger and longer-lasting.
Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids are among the most commonly taken supplements in the UK, and they are also among the most significant to pause before treatment. Omega-3s reduce platelet aggregation, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health but counterproductive when you are trying to avoid bruising. Stop taking fish oil at least seven to ten days before your appointment.
Vitamin E is another widely used supplement with blood-thinning properties. Whether taken orally or applied topically in high concentrations, vitamin E can interfere with normal clotting. Pause vitamin E supplements at least one week before treatment. If your moisturiser contains vitamin E as a minor ingredient, this is generally fine to continue, as it is the concentrated supplement form that poses the risk.
Ginkgo biloba is popular for cognitive support, but it inhibits platelet-activating factor and can significantly increase bruising risk. Stop ginkgo biloba at least two weeks before your appointment, as its effects on platelet function can be longer-lasting than other supplements.
Ginseng, evening primrose oil, and flaxseed oil also have mild anticoagulant properties. While the evidence for each is less robust than for fish oil or ginkgo, the precautionary approach is to pause all of these seven to fourteen days before injectable treatments.
St John's Wort deserves a special mention. Beyond its blood-thinning potential, it interacts with a wide range of medications and can increase photosensitivity. If you take St John's Wort, discuss this with your practitioner well in advance.
Alcohol: More Than Just a Social Concern
Alcohol is a vasodilator: it widens blood vessels and increases blood flow to the skin's surface. Consuming alcohol in the twenty-four to forty-eight hours before Botox or fillers can increase the likelihood and severity of bruising. It can also cause mild facial puffiness, which may make it harder for your practitioner to assess your natural facial contours accurately.
We recommend avoiding alcohol for at least forty-eight hours before your appointment. If you are particularly prone to bruising, extending this to a full week can be worthwhile. This is a small sacrifice for a meaningfully better outcome.
NSAIDs: The Painkiller Problem
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen, are among the most effective blood thinners you might be taking without realising the implications for your treatment. Even a single dose of ibuprofen can affect platelet function for several days.
Stop ibuprofen and naproxen at least seven days before your appointment. If you take low-dose aspirin on medical advice (for cardiovascular protection, for example), do not stop it without consulting your GP. Instead, inform your practitioner so they can take additional precautions.
Paracetamol is the safe alternative. Unlike NSAIDs, paracetamol does not affect blood clotting and can be used for pain relief in the days before and after treatment without increasing bruising risk.
Skincare Ingredients to Pause
What you apply to your face matters just as much as what you swallow. Certain active ingredients can sensitise the skin, compromise the barrier, or interact with injectable treatments in ways that increase risk.
Retinoids (tretinoin, retinol, adapalene) should be stopped at least five to seven days before treatment, though many practitioners in London NW5 and beyond recommend a full two weeks. Retinoids accelerate cell turnover and can thin the skin's outermost layer, making it more fragile and reactive. Resuming retinoids too soon after treatment can also irritate injection sites.
AHAs and BHAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid) exfoliate the skin and can leave it more sensitive. Pause chemical exfoliants at least three to five days before your appointment. Physical scrubs should also be avoided during this window, as the last thing your skin needs is micro-abrasions before needle-based treatments.
Benzoyl peroxide can cause dryness and irritation that may complicate healing. If you use it for acne management, pause it five to seven days beforehand and discuss alternative options during your consultation.
High-concentration vitamin C serums (above fifteen per cent) can cause sensitivity in some skin types. While vitamin C is generally well tolerated, if you notice any tingling or redness from your serum, pause it three to five days before treatment.
Why Bruising Risk Matters
Bruising after Botox and fillers is not dangerous. It is a cosmetic concern. However, it is understandably the side effect that clients worry about most. A visible bruise on the face can last seven to fourteen days, and while it can be concealed with makeup after twenty-four hours, prevention is always preferable to camouflage.
By pausing the substances listed above, you give your body the best chance of clotting efficiently at each injection site. Combined with the skill of a qualified practitioner who uses fine needles and precise technique, the risk of significant bruising can be substantially reduced.
What You Can Take Instead
Preparation is not only about what you stop. It is also about what you can add.
Arnica is a herbal remedy widely used to support bruise prevention and healing. Available as tablets, pellets, or topical cream, arnica can be taken for two to three days before treatment and continued for several days afterwards. While the clinical evidence is modest, many clients and practitioners report noticeable benefits.
Bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple, has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce swelling and bruising. Taking bromelain supplements for a few days before and after treatment is a popular protocol, though, as with arnica, the evidence is anecdotal rather than definitive.
Vitamin K cream applied topically to potential bruising sites may support the skin's clotting response. Some clients find it helpful as part of their post-treatment routine.
Your Pre-Treatment Checklist
At Éclat & Harmonie Studio Clinic, we provide every client with personalised pre-treatment guidance during their consultation. Our Lead Consultant reviews your full supplement and medication list to ensure nothing is overlooked. This level of preparation is part of what makes the experience at our Kentish Town studio clinic thorough, safe, and personalised to you.
If you are unsure about any product, supplement, or medication you are currently taking, the simplest step is to bring a list to your consultation. We would far rather spend five minutes reviewing your routine than have you spend five days concealing an avoidable bruise.
Book your consultation and prepare with confidence →
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