Ouch! Bruising is a common issue faced by many different people – though the unfortunate experience is never very pleasant. Whether your bruise comes from a bump, a fall, or even a medical condition making your skin more susceptible to bruising, it’s important to know how to best care for these injuries. Recent advancements in dermatology and skincare products offer new and effective ways to help heal those unsightly or painful bruises. So, don’t let that new bruise cramp your style – or your comfort, for that matter. Read on to discover some of the key dos and don’ts of bruise care and how following these steps could make a significant difference when it comes to the speed and quality of your recovery.

Ice It Right Away

So, you have a fresh bruise. What’s the first step? Ice! Applying ice to the affected bruised area can be a key player when it comes to reducing the swelling and pain you’re experiencing. Simply put, ice can help you find some immediate relief. To do so, you’ll want to grab something cold, like an ice pack (wrapped in cloth) or a bag of frozen veggies, like peas. Apply it to your new bruise in short intervals of time. For example, start with around 10 to 15 minutes. Also, that cloth wrapping is key – do not apply ice directly to the skin to avoid potential frostbite. Once you’ve iced your bruise, you’ve completed a basic, yet effective step which many ignore – leading to prolonged healing time.

Elevate the Bruised Area

Lift it up! If it’s possible – and the bruise is located in an area you’re able to elevate – try to move it above the level of your heart. This process helps to reduce the blood flow to that area. Ideally, this serves to minimize the size and darkness of your bruising.

Bruises on arms and legs can benefit from this elevation. Try resting these areas on stacked pillows while you relax – like watching a favorite TV show or catching up on your reading. It’s an easy step to incorporate into your bruise care routine and an effective way to help your body recover.

Avoid Heat and Alcohol

After an injury that causes a bruise, you might feel tempted to soak off the pain in a hot bath or enjoy a glass of wine to relax. Resist those impulses – in fact, heat and alcohol can both serve to make your bruising worse.

Heat is known to dilate your blood vessels. This can increase blood flow to the bruised area. The result? A worsening appearance. On the other side, alcohol can thin your blood. This process also can make your bruising darker and the healing process longer.

So, for an improved bruise care process, you’ll want to aim to avoid both of these factors – ideally for the first 24 to 48 hours after getting a bruise.

Moisturize the Area

We all know that moisturizing is important for skin care. However, did you know that keeping moisturized can play a positive role in the bruise healing process? Having skin that is too dry can pose a challenge to healing a bruise efficiently, as dry skin is less resilient.

Choose a high-quality moisturizer that does not include ingredients that irritate your skin. Consider doing a patch test of the product on your skin to see how sensitive or allergy-prone skin reacts to a new product. If it is compatible with your skin’s needs, remember to use it regularly to stay hydrated.

While caring for your skin in this way, consider trying SkinHealth Technology’s BruiseCare X8 Treatment Balm – formulated specifically to meet the maintenance and moisturization needs of patients with bruising concerns.

Consider Your Medications

Did you know that certain medications can actually make you more susceptible to bruising? You should not stop taking a prescribed medication without consulting a medical professional. However, if you are finding that you tend to bruise easily and are on medications like aspirin or blood thinners, let your doctor know and consider discussing alternatives. A simple adjustment might be all that’s needed to make a difference in your skin’s health.

While bruising is common and affects people every day, bruises don’t need to be a lingering, frustrating issue when you employ the correct care. Take immediate measures like icing and elevating the area. Then, for ongoing issues, be sure to consider your overall skincare and moisturizing, as well as assessing your medications. In the end, finding effective solutions for bruise care is well within everyone’s reach.

If you’re seeking a better solution for your bruising concerns, we also highly recommend our BruiseCare Recovery System. This includes our BruiseCare Skin Conditioner and BruiseCare Treatment Balm – an excellent maintenance regimen, aimed at accelerating your healing process to reveal beautiful, healthy skin. These anti-bruise formulas are developed for regular use by a leading dermatologist and a team of experts. If you’re ready to invest in your skin’s health, try our product line today!