Heal a Bruise
All of us have faced the unsightly challenge of bruises. It takes time for a bruise to heal, but here are some ways to speed along the healing process and keep people from noticing the bruise.
Contents
Steps
Medically Recommended Method for Healing Bruises
- Apply ice to the bruise. Ice will help constrict the injured blood vessels, keeping the bruise from getting bigger.
- Use an ice-pack, a bag of ice, or a package of frozen vegetables, such as frozen peas.
- Ice the bruise for no more than 15 minutes per hour.
- After 24 hours, apply heat to the bruise. Heat will help circulate the blood that has gathered underneath your skin, flushing it out.
- Use a warm compress or a hot water bottle.
- Apply heat for at least an hour.
- If possible, prop your bruised limb up. Elevating your bruised limb will help the blood flow away from your injury.
- It's only advisable to prop up legs and arms. Do not attempt to prop up any portion of your torso.
- Eat foods rich in Vitamin C and flavinoids. These vitamins will help your body regenerate collagen, which fortify your blood vessels.
- Food rich in Vitamin C and flavonoids include: citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, bell pepper, pineapple, and prunes.
- Apply Arnica and Aloe vera gels to the wound. These plant-based gels will help dilate your blood vessels and ensure a quicker healing time.
- Arnica and Aloe vera gels can both be found over the counter in your local drugstore.
Covering Your Bruise Up
- Conceal the bruise with clothing. This will also help prevent the bruised area from suffering further injury or pain.
- If it is on your ankle, wear long socks or pants that conceal your ankle.
- If it is on your arm, wear wristbands or long-sleeved shirts.
- Use makeup to conceal the bruise. Your bruise may not be completely healed, but no one needs to know about it!
- Use a skin-colored cream on the bruise to make it look like the rest of your skin. On top of that, use a light, colorless powder.
- If you aren't experienced using concealing cream, you may want to ask someone experienced with makeup.
Tips
- Moisturizing the bruise helps it heal faster.
- If the bruise doesn't fade after a week or two, or if you don't remember getting the bruise, you should see a doctor. It can signal a more serious disease.
- Take it easy, to prevent unnecessary pain or limping! Use muscle gel/creams to ease the pain.
- Don't touch the bruise or it will get worse.
- Use a concealer that is slightly lighter than your skin tone. Make sure to cover all the bruise and around the bruise so it doesn't look like you're trying to hide something.
- Quickly put ice on the bruise before it gets bigger.
- See a doctor if bruise is accommodated with extreme pain swelling or redness.
- If the bruise is bad, you may experience stiffness and pain with movement. This is OK, but if it persists after the bruise fades, contact your doctor.
Warnings
- Do not to touch the bruise to hard surfaces or that the area subject to repeated impacts. This can cause pain in the bruised area and exacerbate the bruising.
