Should I Use Arnica on My Lips After Fillers?

Swelling and bruising are common side effects after getting injectable treatments like lip fillers. Using topical and oral arnica after lip fillers is one of the best things you can do to minimize or even prevent bruising. What you do (and don’t) do after lip injections is also very important for minimizing both swelling and bruising.

In this guide, I share the same information that I tell my lip filler patients, including how to properly use arnica after lip fillers and how to combine it with other strategies to prevent swelling and bruising as much as possible so you can see your final results sooner.

Understanding why swelling and bruising happen after injectable treatments can help you better understand how to prevent these effects. They are typically caused by a combination of physical trauma from the injections themselves, the injection techniques and types of filler used, and your body’s natural inflammatory response.

• Trauma to blood vessels and tissue. Even with expert technique, the needles used to administer lip filler can puncture small blood vessels under the skin. When this happens, blood leaks into the surrounding tissue, forming a bruise. The lips are especially prone to this because they’re highly vascular, meaning they contain many tiny blood vessels close to the surface.
• Inflammatory response. Your immune system reacts to the filler injection as a minor injury. White blood cells rush to the site and release inflammatory chemicals like histamine, prostaglandins, and cytokines. These increase blood flow and capillary permeability, drawing more fluid into the skin and causing visible swelling, which is why your lips might look puffy or uneven at first. 
• Filler placement and volume. The amount of filler used and how it’s placed also affects swelling. More volume, deeper placement, or certain types of fillers, such as hyaluronic acid-based fillers, can attract water and temporarily make the lips appear even more swollen.

Arnica montana is a flowering herb native to Europe and parts of North America. It has been used medicinally for centuries, thanks to its many beneficial bioactive compounds, including helenalin, flavonoids like quercetin and luteolin, coumarins, thymol, and fatty acids. These compounds work together to reduce inflammation and immune responses, stimulate white blood cell activity, and provide antioxidant protection.

One of the strongest compounds in arnica is helenalin, known for its anti-inflammatory effects. Helenalin works by blocking a protein called NF-κB, which normally triggers the release of inflammatory chemicals like histamines and cytokines (3). By calming this reaction, helenalin helps to reduce redness, swelling, and discomfort after the filler is injected.

Arnica also boosts white blood cell activity at the site of the bruise. These immune cells help to clear out the blood that has leaked from broken capillaries, which is what causes a bruise to form on the surface. Arnica’s flavonoid profile supports healthy circulation and encourages the lymphatic system to flush away excess fluids.

Another way arnica prevents bruising is by helping your blood vessels function better after the injection. Compounds called coumarins found in arnica gently dilate blood vessels and promote better blood flow. This reduces fluid retention, or swelling, and prevents pooling of blood under the skin.

In addition, arnica helps to keep small blood vessels called capillaries flexible and resilient, making them less likely to rupture further.

Arnica also contains fatty acids like linoleic acid and chlorogenic acid, which support your skin’s natural barrier, helping to hydrate the skin and keep irritants and allergens out. Having a strong skin barrier is especially important while your skin heals and repairs

You can use oral arnica supplements before and after your lip filler appointment to minimize bruising and swelling. To learn more about post procedure care after fillers-visit this blog.

To use oral arnica:

• Start oral arnica supplements 2 days before your filler appointment.

• Continue the recommended dose for 2 to 3 days after your appointment.

• Be sure to choose a reputable brand specifically labeled for oral use, such as DermAvance Arnika Forte . Raw arnica is toxic, but when formulated correctly, it is safe.

To use topical arnica:

• Start the day after your filler appointment.

• Gently apply a thin layer 3 to 4 times daily on swollen/bruised areas. Do not push too hard on the lips when applying to avoid displacing the filler.

• Continue daily use for 3 to 5 days, or until most discoloration has faded.

There are no major side effects to be expected when using topical arnica for short periods of time. However, you should not apply arnica to open wounds or use it long-term. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), topical arnica scores a very high safety rating and is not indicated as a hazard for irritation, allergies, or cancer risk.

Oral arnica supplements are safe to use if they are formulated and diluted properly, as arnica in its raw form is toxic. Most properly-formulated supplements contain small amounts of arnica and do not lead to side effects. However, larger amounts of arnica can cause upset stomach, nausea, dry mouth, or headaches.

Important note: Arnica may slow blood clotting, so it should not be taken with medications or supplements that thin your blood, such as NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen); blood-thinning medications like warfarin or apixaban; or herbal supplements like vitamin E, fish oil, or St. John’s wort.

In addition to using arnica after lip fillers, the best way to reduce swelling is to avoid heat for at least the first 1 to 2 days. Heat increases inflammation and blood flow, which can worsen swelling. This includes:

• No exercise, which increases body heat.

• No hot showers.

• No hot water to wash your face. Use cool or lukewarm water instead.

• No hot drinks, such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

Other lifestyle adjustments you can make to help get rid of swelling after fillers more quickly include:

• Keeping your head slightly elevated.

• Gently applying cool compresses without applying much pressure to the treated area.

• Avoid salty foods and alcohol.

These are also tips that I give my patients to help minimize bruising and swelling after fillers.

• First, do not schedule injections within 2 weeks before an important event. If you do develop bruising or swelling, these should be gone by the two-week mark.

• Eat a healthy diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods like berries, broccoli, and salmon. Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which can help to reduce swelling (5).

• Avoid unnecessary friction or pressure on your lips. Gently brush your teeth and avoid applying lip makeup and kissing for at least 2 days after getting lip filler.

Using topical and/or oral arnica after lip filler is one of the best ways to reduce or even prevent bruising and swelling. If you do develop bruising, use a product like Alasin INhance, which has been clinically shown to significantly reduce bruising.

For best results, pair these products with lifestyle adjustments for at least the first two days after lip filler: avoid heat, don’t apply pressure to the lips, avoid salty foods and alcohol, and eat an anti-inflammatory diet. 

1. Baumann L. Pre and Post Procedure Skin Care Guide in Ch. 36 of Baumann's Cosmetic Dermatology Ed 3. (McGraw Hill 2022)
2. Baumann, L. Ch. Cosmeceuticals and Cosmetic Ingredients (McGraw Hill 2015)
3. Lyss, G., Schmidt, T. J., Merfort, I., & Pahl, H. L. (1997). Helenalin, an anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene lactone from Arnica, selectively inhibits transcription factor NF-κB. Biological chemistry, 378(9), 951-962.
4. Widgerow AD, Jacob C, Palm MD, Garruto JA, Bell M. Developing a Topical Adjunct to Injectable Procedures. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020 Apr 1;19(4):398-404. doi: 10.36849/JDD.2020.5016. PMID: 32272517.
5. Mahmood B. The effect of using pineapple fresh juice to improve post-surgical pain, ecchymosis and swelling in maxillofacial region. J Craniomaxillofac Res. 2021;8(2):67-75.
6. Gyawali, N., Rayamajhi, A., Karki, D., Pokhrel, T., Adhikari, A. (2022). Arnica montana L.: Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological Activities. In: Devkota, H.P., Aftab, T. (eds) Medicinal Plants of the Asteraceae Family. Springer, Singapore.
7. Kouzi, S. A., & Nuzum, D. S. (2007). Arnica for bruising and swelling. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 64(23), 2434-2443.
8. Iannitti, T., Morales-Medina, J. C., Bellavite, P., Rottigni, V., & Palmieri, B. (2016). Effectiveness and safety of Arnica montana in post-surgical setting, pain and inflammation. American journal of therapeutics, 23(1), e184-e197.