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How can I Make my Bruises Fade Quickly?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

Unfortunately, there is no magical or surgical method which can make most bruises fade quickly. The blood pools which give bruises their unsightly appearance should eventually be absorbed back into the bloodstream and disappear. But there are some things you can do to help this process along, or to minimize the formation of large, dark bruises in the first place.

One way to help bruises fade is to stem the initial flow of blood quickly after a traumatic injury. Ice should be applied to a bruised area as soon as possible to reduce the number of small bleeders contributing to the injury. If possible, the injured area should be held above the level of the heart to encourage blood to flow away from the injury. The less blood that pools around a blunt force injury, the less chance a heavy bruise will form.

To help bruises fade quickly, avoid taking acetaminophen or painkillers that are not prescribed.
To help bruises fade quickly, avoid taking acetaminophen or painkillers that are not prescribed.

One thing many medical professionals would recommend to help bruises fade quickly is to avoid painkillers with blood-thinning ingredients. Many over-the-counter pain relievers contain ingredients that encourage blood flow and inhibit the formation of blood clots. This is not a good thing for people suffering from serious bruises. To help bruises fade quickly, limit the intake of pain medication to acetaminophen or prescription painkillers.

Rubbing a banana on a bruise can help it fade.
Rubbing a banana on a bruise can help it fade.

Some sources suggest using gentle massage on the affected area to help bruises fade. There is little risk of releasing a dangerous blood clot by massaging a bruise, since the blood is primarily pooled outside the circulatory system itself. This method might improve the appearance of bruises temporarily, but the actual healing time may not be affected. Cosmetic treatments such as using concealing make-up or wearing a long-sleeved shirt may also help minimize the appearance of bruises.

An ice pack, which can help a bruise fade.
An ice pack, which can help a bruise fade.

There are several homeopathic or organic methods that purportedly help bruises heal quickly. Some say that topical applications of witch hazel or glycerin will help bruises heal quickly. Rubbing a sliced onion or banana peel over the affected area is also suggested as a home remedy for bruises. Perhaps the most discussed homeopathic treatment is a poisonous plant called arnica (arnica montana), which is said to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent in general. A topical ointment containing arnica should be applied repeatedly to the affected area in order to help bruises heal quickly.

A person with a bruised toenail.
A person with a bruised toenail.

The use of arnica or other homeopathic treatments for bruising is not necessarily endorsed by the medical community, so those who are interested in trying it should do some research first. The standard medical advice to help bruises heal quickly is to ice down the injury quickly, keep it above the level of the heart, and avoid taking any blood-thinning medication until the bruise has dissipated.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular TheHealthBoard contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular TheHealthBoard contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon958534

This article actually just answered a big question for me! I was recently in the hospital, and they took my blood something like 15-20 times over the span of a few days. I was left with so many big bruises that look awful, and one even has a lump that is kind of disturbing to look at or touch (but not painful and seems to be going down very slowly). I have never bruised like this after any blood tests I've ever had before, and I wondered why I bruised so badly this time. I thought maybe the phlebotomists there had done a poor job (even though they were nice and none of the sticks hurt too much). But no, it must have been because they give everyone who stays overnight a shot of blood thinner each day at the hospital I was in!

It didn't occur to me that blood thinners would mess up a blood draw like that, but now it makes perfect sense! Duh. Hopefully my bruises and lump will clear up soon, and thanks a lot for this article.

anon954515

Bruise Rx where do you find it? cat lover2448

anon344913

I use arnica gel for all bruising. Always. It helps with muscle pain as well.

anon327747

I regularly get bruises. I don't always know why; they just appear. I have a couple on my leg at the moment and they have been there for weeks. No pain. I do take blood thinner pills on a daily basis. Should I be worried?

anon272728

I have a bruise mark between my eyebrows. It's very annoying and I have tried everything. Any suggestions? I have had it for a few months now.

anon249474

I agree with the common soap method. I tried it myself many times, and it really works. Only for best results, the soap must be applied immediately after the injury.

anon165010

My daughter continuously rubbed a slinky on her chin and now it looks dark and bruised. I thought it was discolored from the slinky but does not wash off. What can I do?

anon144428

i believe the best way is to put some ice on them. it speeds up the process.

anon111244

The fastest way to heal the bruises and also reduce the pain that accompanies the bruised are is with common soap; wetting a bar of soap- not a liquid soap! (ideally, the old-fashioned clothes-washing soap bar!) and rubbing the affected area every two hours will significantly reduce both the pain and the blackness of any bruise, and usually will make it completely fade away over a two day period. I used this method numerous times and it works 100 percent!

anon85238

Eating pineapple works wonders too. Seems to break up the dead blood quickly and it just disappears. I would suggest eating it a couple of times a day. Canned or fresh.

shelly1979

I fell and have an awful bruise on my face. What is the best way to get rid of it? I have a job interview thursday morning.

sarahsmith67

My family is always getting bruises from playing rough, sports, bumping into things, surgeries, etc. My doctor recommended Bruise Rx from Remedies Cure. It's amazing how fast the bruises go away. I carry it with me all the time and even have the kids take it ahead of time when they start getting rough.

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    • To help bruises fade quickly, avoid taking acetaminophen or painkillers that are not prescribed.
      By: Karramba Production
      To help bruises fade quickly, avoid taking acetaminophen or painkillers that are not prescribed.
    • Rubbing a banana on a bruise can help it fade.
      By: Nikolai Sorokin
      Rubbing a banana on a bruise can help it fade.
    • An ice pack, which can help a bruise fade.
      By: Marc Dietrich
      An ice pack, which can help a bruise fade.
    • A person with a bruised toenail.
      By: F.C.G.
      A person with a bruised toenail.
    • Applying pure witch hazel, from the witch hazel plant, may help heal bruises.
      By: dianamower
      Applying pure witch hazel, from the witch hazel plant, may help heal bruises.
    • Resting will help bruises heal on their own more quickly.
      By: Harald Biebel
      Resting will help bruises heal on their own more quickly.