How to Treat and Cover up Skin Bruising

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.

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.