Tuesday, December 14, 2010

How Herbs Can Affect Cosmetic Procedure Outcomes


Although herbs such as Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Ginseng and St. John’s Wort have proven benefits for your health, did you know that many herbal supplements can actually interfere with your recovery from cosmetic procedures? Depending on the supplement in question, herbs can cause problems ranging from unwanted anesthesia reactions to increased bleeding.

For this reason, I always ask my patients to give me a complete list of all the medications they are taking and any herbal supplements as well. By informing me as to what you’re taking, we can avoid any unexpected interactions during and after your procedure.

Supplements that can increase bleeding:
  • Gingko Biloba
  • Garlic
  • Ginseng
  • Fish Oils (omega-3 fatty acids)
  • Dong Quai
  • Feverfew


Supplements that can have anesthetic effects:
  • Valerian
  • St John's Wort
  • Kava


Supplements known to cause other types adverse events:
  • St John's Wort (can cause photosensitivity, especially after laser or chemical peels)
  • Ginseng (can cause hypoglycemia)


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