Bruises comes come in all shapes and sizes and are often quite alarming in appearance. They’re most often the result of a knock or bump, but any trauma to the skin, such as an operation, can also entail a fair amount of bruising.

Children are notorious for suffering from bruises. Their rough and tumble play leaves them susceptible to getting knocks and bumps all over the place. But it’s not just children who suffer from bruises.


As we age we’re again more prone to suffering from bruises, especially as skin becomes thinner and blood vessels weaker and more fragile.

A bruise is the result of broken capillaries under the skin. The familiar black, blue and purple colours of the bruise that we see is blood from the capillaries pooling underneath the skin. Most bruises are quite painful when you touch them but don’t often cause much pain when left alone.

The time taken for bruises to heal varies from person to person and some people do seem to recover from bruises faster than others. Generally though, bruises take around two weeks to heal, changing from the initial vivid black and blue colours then fading to a greenish tinge and then yellow.

Sometimes when bruises are in a prominent position, such as the face, you may want to try and make them disappear at a faster rate normal. Since bruises are the result of trauma to the skin, they need time to go through the normal healing process. So, while it’s not possible to make bruises heal much quicker than normal, there are some steps you can take that can help to reduce the overall time it would normally take.

Step 1: 
Apply ice.

Apply an ice pack (wrapped in a towel) to the site of the bruise as soon as possible. As well as helping to reduce any swelling, this action can minimise bruising by restricting the blood flow and preventing it from spreading too much. Don’t press hard as this could cause further injury.

Also remember the word RICE whose letters stand for: Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate. So keep the bruised area elevated while compressing the ice pack for around 20 minutes at a time. Repeat this three or four times a day.

Step 2: 
Apply warmth.

After around 48 hours, once the bruise has had time to begin healing and the internal bleeding has stopped, you should apply a warm compress to the bruise three or four times a day. This will increase the blood flow circulating around the bruise and help it fade faster.

Step 3: 
Herbal and Homoeopathic remedies.

There are several herbal and homoeopathic remedies that have great healing properties. Among the herbal remedies is Witch Hazel which has long been used for its healing properties. It can be purchased in the form of tinctures and creams but one of the most convenient forms is in stick form. You should apply it to the bruise three times a day.

One of the most popular homoeopathic remedies for healing bruises is Arnica Montana. Arnica’s anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties are beneficial in reducing the pain and swelling associated with bruises as well as helping to stimulate activity of white blood cells.

Arnica can be taken internally in the form of small pillules which are left to dissolve on the tongue or as a topical cream applied directly to the bruise. The pillule form of Arnica can be used as a preventative measure to help bruises heal faster. For instance, if you are having an operation which will leave you bruised, taking Arnica for a week of two beforehand can lessen the time taken for bruising to heal afterwards.

Step 4: 
Diet. 

The rate our body repairs itself has a lot to do with diet. Not getting enough vitamins and minerals can leave you more prone to bruising and slower healing. To help your bruises heal faster, make sure you have enough vitamin C as well as iron in your diet. Vitamin C is essential for the tissue repair and growth necessary to form collagen to help repair damaged skin cells. Good sources of vitamin C and iron include spinach, broccoli, kiwi fruit, berries, citrus fruits, meat and poultry.

Step 5: 
Massage.

Massaging the bruised area can help to disperse the area of pooled blood which is lying underneath the skin. While this isn’t healing the bruise any faster, it can make the bruise appear more faded because the pooled blood isn’t as concentrated in the one area any more. However, this shouldn't be attempted until the bruise has been present for around three days when it’s had some time to heal. Doing this procedure any earlier could cause further injury and more bruising.

Things Needed:

Ice Pack Warm compress
Arnica Witch Hazel

Tips & Warnings: 

Apply an ice pack as soon as possible after getting the bruise.