How to make a bruise heal faster

Banish blemishes quickly. - by Laura Barry

Those pesky little yellow, blue or purple splotches that appear on your skin after accidentally hitting a door frame or tripping into the coffee table have happened to the best of us. Bruises are just one of those things that can pop up in unsightly places from the smallest bumps or scrapes, but there’s a few ways you can get rid of them.

Bruises occur when small blood vessels or capillaries close to the skin’s surface break from trauma and leak blood under the skin. Women are generally more susceptible to bruising than men thanks to the way their fat and skin compositions differ. While a bruise will heal itself in time, there are a few remedies that might speed up the process.

Apply an arnica-infused ointment

A herb used in homeopathic medicine, arnica has anti-inflammatory effects when applied to the skin.

Ice it

Applying ice to a bruise can help reduce swelling, pain and make the bruise smaller.

Elevate the limb

Elevating the bruised area as soon as possible can help prevent more blood pooling in the injured area.

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Apply heat

After 24 hours of being injured, apply heat to the bruise to encourage circulation in the affected area to clear away pooled blood.

Take some bromelain supplements

Bromelain is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce bruising, swelling and pain.

Check your meds

If you’re acquiring bruises beyond what you think is normal, blood-thinning medications like aspirin and ibuprofen may be the culprits. These medicines can make you bruise easier by making your blood pool more easily under the skin.

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Laura Barry

Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.