How to Treat Bruising: Conceal & Heal

Writer and expert7 years ago

What Is a Bruise? Plus, Common Causes of Bruising

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a bruise is “a mark on your skin caused by blood trapped under the surface. It happens when an injury crushes small blood vessels but does not break the skin.” Bruises can be caused by minor injuries, surgeries/non-invasive treatments, playing sports, general clumsiness, etc. The good news is that bruises tend to resolve themselves within about a week to 10 days. More time may be necessary depending on the severity of the bruise. Though most are no big deal, they can still be painful and unsightly. Here's how to treat and/or cover up a pesky bruise on your body.

How to Treat and/or Cover up Bruising

To treat a bruise, you’ll want to grab for a cold compress as soon as possible to help alleviate any swelling that occurs. Applying an ice pack for 30-60 minutes is a good rule of thumb, according to the NIH, and over-the-counter pain medication can help to relieve the pain. Try reaching for acetaminophen and avoid pain relievers such as ibuprofen or aspirin, as they slow the clotting of blood and may increase bleeding.

During the healing process, you shouldn't have to let a bruise prevent you from wearing what you want to wear. Here are some great over-the-counter bruise care products that can help speed up the recovery process and conceal unsightly bruising so you don't have to interrupt your normal routine.

Note About Bruising From Surgery or Medical Treatments:

When it comes to bruising after surgery or other medical procedures (like BOTOX, for example), be sure to follow your doctor's after-care recommendations. While the first two products listed below are designed for post-procedural care, be sure to check with your doctor before use.

Dana Elizabeth Johnson

Writer and expert

Dana Elizabeth is the founder of wordsfromtherunway.com and has spent nearly a decade as a contributing writer for numerous publications. Her work has appeared nationally and internationally in such publications as Hollywood Weekly Magazine, Essential Homme, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, M.R., Ray Li, Parenting OC and HOW Design Magazine. She was the Managing Editor of The Los Angeles Fashion Magazine from 2011-2013; there she helped to establish the publication as a reliable and reputable industry news source. She's been fortunate to have interviewed several well-known individuals including Mischa Barton, Lisa Vanderpump, Kristi Yamaguchi, Joe Zee, Stevie Boi and Rob Dyrdek among others. She holds a BFA from Woodbury University. When she's not writing, she can be found whipping up a meal for family and friends. She is an avid yogi, rock climber and outdoor enthusiast. To learn more, please visit danaeditor.com.