There is no perfect way to prevent bruises. One little bump is all we need to create them. I’m extremely sensitive so it doesn’t take much for me to get a bunch of small bruises. Half the time I won’t even know where they came from. I’ve always wondered if there was a way I could learn how to get rid of bruises quickly. If there’s no way for me to avoid them, I can only hope there is a way to get rid of them a little faster!
One time I was riding a pocket bike, which was pretty much a mini motorcycle. I got a massive bruise from riding it because the heat from the exhaust was too close to my leg. By the time I noticed it, it was this gigantic, black and blue monster. I couldn’t get rid of it for weeks! I was horrified because I was about to go on a beach trip and this was the worst looking bruise I had ever seen! It was so disappointing, but I assumed I was going to have to live with the bruise until it went away on its own. I was wrong though. There are a few ways to learn how to get rid of bruises faster! So I’m here to give you some tips, so you don’t have to deal with bruises for as long as I did.
What Are Bruises and Why Do They Change Color?
Bruises are a result of trauma. We have tons of tiny blood vessels beneath our skin. So when we get hit or even bump bodies against something it can cause these vessels to burst. The blood released gets trapped under our skin. The blow to our skin can cause swelling and inflammation first which makes the area red, swollen, and irritated.
The bruise forms and looks like a blotch beneath our skin. The different bruise colors happen when your body works it’s way through the stages of bruising to absorb the blood. That causes our the bruise to change color as it heals. So it might start out as a red bruise, but within a day or so it will become dark bruise that may be purple and blue. The dark coloration is a result of the blood under your skin suffering from a low supply of oxygen. It could continue to dark over the course of a few days.
When the bruise starts breaking down, it fades to a green bruise and eventually yellow. The yellow or light brown happens when your body begins the last stage of the re-absorption process. You may be wondering “how long does it take for a bruise to heal?” And it all depends on the bruise. It may take anywhere from 2-3 weeks.
What to Do When You Get a Bruise
There are a few steps you can take when you think you might get a bruise. They are the simple steps I should have taken when I was younger, but I was so stubborn. There were quite a few times when I was playing soccer in the cold and stopped the ball with my thigh. The impact caused an imprint of the soccer ball on my skin. It was always red for a long time, so I had plenty of time. I had assumed it would turn into a welt and fade. But I was much more sensitive because of the cold. So the bruise was imminent.
If I had taken care and knew how to get rid of bruises, I wouldn’t have had any issues. But I was pretty careless when I was younger. When you’re learning how to get rid of bruises you also need to learn how to make swelling go down.
Ice the Area
Before doing anything else, you should always ice the area. That will ease the swelling and irritation. All you need to do is apply an ice pack every 20 minutes for about 10 minutes at a time. Icing the wound might seem like a simple step, but it’s imperative to reduce the appearance of a bruise. I always use this as a black eye remedy immediately. It’s my go-to when I want to figure out how to heal black eye bruises faster. It’s also a big part of how to make bruises go away. By limiting the blood flow with cold, you can learn how to heal bruises faster.
Apply Heat
If the bruise has already formed and is dark, you will want to use some heat instead. By using heat, you can boost circulation and increase blood flow in this area. The bruise should break down more quickly that way. But you may only want to do this after the swelling has subsided. Applying heat should also help with any pain as the bruise heals.
Compression
If you are dealing with a brand new bruise, you could reduce the severity of the swelling with compression. All you need to do is use a bandage to wrap the area. It may depend on the placement of the bruise, but this should be possible most of the time. It’s an excellent way to reduce swelling and of bruising when you sprain your wrist or ankle.
Elevation
Elevating a bruised or swollen limb will reduce blood flow to the area. All you need to do is lay down and prop your wound up. This technique also works best for injuries on your legs or arms. By propping your arm or leg up, so it is above your heart. That will keep blood from pooling up in the bruised area which should reduce the size of your bruise.
Essential Oils for Bruises
There are so many different purposes for essential oils. They can be used to cure illnesses, make it easier to breathe when you have a stuffy nose, cure acne, and so much more. You can even learn how to get rid of bruises with them! So those essential oils that you’ve had sitting around can be put to another use. I like the idea of using these in particular for bruises on my face. It could be the perfect black eye treatment! They may be a good way to deal with other bruises on your face as well, like a bruised nose or bruised lips.
Frankincense Oil
Frankincense oil contains Boswellia which can help reduce the appearance of bruising. It is one of the best home remedies for bruises. All you have to do is apply a few drops to the wound and massage it into your skin. Only use this on unbroken skin. It also should help with swelling because it doubles as an anti-inflammatory.
Lemongrass Oil
Lemongrass oil can help ease the pain and swelling of a new bruise. By reducing the swelling, it can promote the wound to heal quickly. Just remember that not all essential oils should be used directly on your skin. Mix 5-6 drops of lemongrass oil with a tablespoon of a carrier oil. Carrier oils include any gentle oil that can be applied directly to your skin. Such as coconut oil or almond oil.
Geranium Oil
By using this essential oil, you can stimulate the production of healthy skin. It will also promote circulation to the area, which might also cause more inflammation initially, but that won’t last long. It will improve the overall healing process! You must also pair geranium oil with a carrier oil. So mix it with another oil before application to keep it from irritating your skin.
Arnica, Lavender, and Tea Tree Oil
Arnica oil makes a fantastic carrier oil for other essential oils. So by using it to decrease inflammation. Mixing these essential oils for bruising will speed up the healing process by a considerable margin. Lavender oil works as an astringent and anti-inflammatory agent. It can seriously decrease the amount of blood that wells up in the area of impact. Tea tree oil will also work to soothe the area and help with any pain and swelling.
All you have to do is mix all three in equal parts before you apply it to your skin!
Over the Counter Remedies
You can get over the counter remedies if you’re having a hard time figuring out how to get rid of bruising. I can understand not always wanting to get essential oils. I only have tea tree oil around on a regular basis for acne. But other than that I don’t buy them. I think it might be high time I got some because they have so many fantastic uses!
There are quite a few options on how to get rid of bruises with over the counter products. Such as Arnicare cream for bruises or Procure Bruise Remedy Gel. These are an excellent option for anyone who wants a specific product rather than trying to mix a few essential oils. But you should also keep in mind that there are other remedies you can try as well. Such as vitamin K cream and aloe vera!
When Should You See a Doctor?
Bruises are a normal part of life. We get them all the time and they can be hard to avoid, especially when you bruise as quickly as I do. But you still need to pay attention to anything out of the ordinary.
If you are getting frequent and unexplainable bruises, it may be time to see your doctor. Bruising on places like your legs or thighs can usually be explained easily. Like you bumped it on a bedpost in the middle of the night and didn’t recall.
You will also experience more bruising with age as your skin becomes thinner and more delicate. It is very common for elderly citizens to bruise very easily. Even grabbing their arm firmly to help them stand up could result in a bruise. It all depends on the person and their sensitivity.
But if you find yourself bruising all the time or suffering from nosebleeds all the time, you may want to consult your doctor. There is always the possibility of a bleeding disorder, a result of taking blood thinners, or other underlying issues. It could be nothing, but it never hurts to go to the doctor if you need answers to your questions. There’s no need to jump to any conclusions!
Banish Those Bruises Fast
Bruises can be a real pain. Not only do they hurt, but they also take a long time to fade away. I’ve always wondered if there was a way to learn how to get rid of bruises quickly. As it turns out, there are a lot more remedies than I thought! You can massage essential oils into the area to help break up the bruise gently, or you could try over the counter creams.
But before you try anything on how to get rid of bruises, you need to try your best minimize the severity of the injuries. That includes applying ice, heat, or elevating the wound to keep blood from pooling up in the area. You could also consider using compression.
Either way, bruises aren’t a lost cause. There are ways to minimize them, improve the appearance of them and you can even learn how to get rid of bruises faster. While it won’t be instant results, it will still make a world of difference in the healing process!