Medications & Supplements Before Treatment · Cheongdam & Apgujeong, Seoul

Why medicines matter for aesthetic treatment

Most aesthetic procedures involve needles, cannulas, heat or controlled skin injury. Medicines and supplements can change how much you bruise, how your skin reacts to light and heat, how quickly you heal and, occasionally, how a product behaves. Declaring them lets the plan be adjusted — the order of treatments, the technique, the device setting, or the timing — rather than discovering a problem afterwards.

Patients sometimes leave out supplements or herbal products (보충제·한약) because they seem harmless. Please include them; several are relevant.

Medicines and supplements that affect bruising

• Prescribed anticoagulants and antiplatelets — these protect against strokes, clots and heart events. Do not stop them for an aesthetic procedure without your prescribing doctor's explicit advice. Treatment is planned around them, often with techniques that reduce bruising.
• Aspirin and some anti-inflammatory painkillers — if taken for occasional pain rather than a medical reason, your doctor may suggest pausing them for a period beforehand. For pain relief after treatment, paracetamol (acetaminophen) is commonly suggested instead; check what suits you.
• Supplements — fish oil (omega-3), vitamin E, ginkgo, garlic and ginseng supplements, among others, are often associated with easier bruising.
• Alcohol — not a medicine, but it can increase bruising and swelling; see exercise, sauna and alcohol.

Medicines that affect skin, light and healing

This list is illustrative, not complete. The relevance of any medicine depends on the dose, why you take it and the treatment planned.

Treatment-specific notes

• Filler and Botox: bruising risk is the main consideration; tell the doctor about any neuromuscular medicine before Botox.
• Thread lift and liposuction: bleeding, healing and infection considerations are greater, so the review is more detailed. See thread lift.
• Lasers, Potenza and heat-based lifting: photosensitising and skin-thinning medicines matter most. See laser aftercare.

A simple preparation checklist

1. Photograph the packaging of everything you take, including supplements and herbal products.
2. Note why you take each prescribed medicine.
3. Ask your own doctor, before travelling, whether any medicine could safely be paused — and do not pause it if they say no.
4. Bring the list to your consultation and mention any changes since booking.
5. After treatment, check with the clinic before taking new painkillers.

How Doje Clinic uses this information

Dr. Byun Jeik reviews your list as part of the 1:1 consultation and adapts the plan: which treatments come first, whether to stage injections, and which device settings are appropriate. Sometimes the safest plan is to postpone one element and proceed with another.

Frequently asked questions

Should I stop aspirin before filler?

If aspirin is prescribed for a medical reason, do not stop it without your prescribing doctor's advice; if taken only for occasional pain, your doctor may suggest pausing it beforehand.

Which supplements increase bruising?

Fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, garlic and ginseng supplements are among those often associated with easier bruising.

Can I take painkillers after treatment?

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is commonly suggested; check with the clinic before taking anti-inflammatory painkillers.

Do acne medicines affect laser treatment?

Yes. Isotretinoin and topical retinoids can affect healing and skin sensitivity, so timing is discussed before laser or microneedling.

Should I mention herbal medicines?

Yes. Declare all supplements and herbal products, as some are relevant to bruising and healing.

Who reviews my medicines at Doje Clinic?

Dr. Byun Jeik reviews them in a 1:1 consultation and adjusts the plan accordingly.

Related at Doje Clinic

• Who should postpone treatment
• Safety and side effects
• Filler aftercare
• Thread lift aftercare
• Your first visit
• Questions to ask

Medical information on this page is general education, not a diagnosis. Suitability, risks and the final plan are confirmed in a 1:1 consultation with Dr. Byun Jeik. Last updated 17 October 2026.