4 Ways to Get Rid of Bruises Fast

If you’ve ever stumbled into something trying to get to the bathroom during the night, you may have gotten up the next morning with a bruise to remind you of your clumsiness. Bruises, or contusions, develop when small blood vessels under the skin break. This causes blood to leak out and become trapped underneath the skin. 

It takes time for bruised skin to return to normal. Bruises will fade away on their own over about 2 weeks. You may notice the color of the bruise change as it heals — from red, to bluish-purple or black, to green or yellow, and finally light brown. 

There’s nothing that can get rid of a bruise instantly. But there are things that you can do to help reduce bruising and heal bruises faster. Here are four things you can use to help your bruise heal.

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1. Ice

Using an ice pack causes blood vessels to constrict (become more narrow). This means less blood leaving the blood vessels, which leads to less bruising. Ice is most effective when used as soon as the injury occurs.

In addition to reducing bruising, a cold compress can help relieve pain and swelling. But don’t apply the ice pack directly to your skin. Wrap it in a towel and put it on for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. 

2. Compression

Gentle compression is another way to reduce swelling and bruising after an injury. One study found that — in patients getting blood thinner injections — compression reduced bruising better than ice.

Depending on where your injury is, it might not be easy to apply pressure. But if you’ve twisted an ankle, or banged an arm or leg, try wrapping the area with a compression bandage. Make sure not to wrap it so tightly that you stop blood flow completely. If you notice numbness or tingling, it’s a sign you need to loosen the bandage. 

3. Elevation

Another trick for reducing the amount of blood at the site of a bruise is to raise the injured area above the level of your heart. For instance, if you have an injury to your lower leg, try lying with your leg propped up on a pillow. This helps blood travel back to the rest of the body more easily, and it limits swelling and bruising. 

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4. Warm compress

It can be confusing to figure out when to use cold versus heat for an injury. But in general, warm compresses are best to use at least 48 hours after an injury. They do the exact opposite of ice packs: They help blood vessels dilate (open wider) and increase blood flow. 

Once you’re through the acute phase of injury, and the bruise has fully formed, using a warm compress helps the body reabsorb that trapped blood. 

When should you seek medical care for a bruise?

Minor bruises should heal on their own within 2 weeks. It’s best to contact a healthcare professional if: 

• The bruise isn’t healing.

• The swelling or pain is worsening.

• There’s no obvious reason for the bruise, or you’re bruising too easily.

• You’re having trouble moving a joint near the bruise and are worried that something’s broken. 

• The bruise is near your eye and your vision has changed. 

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Written by:

Meredith Grace Merkley, DO, FAAP

Meredith Grace Merkley, DO, FAAP, is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with over a decade of work in community health. She serves as the medical director of a school-based health clinic at a federally funded health center.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

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