Bruises happen when something hits your body with so much force that it breaks blood vessels under the skin. It takes some time for bruises to disappear, which can be quite annoying, especially when you have to go somewhere and do not want your bruise to show. The good thing is that you can heal by using simple home remedies. Alternating between heat and ice, using OTC meds, and resting the bruising area really help accelerate healing. Keep reading to learn what else you can do.

How to Heal Bruises Faster

1.       Apply Ice Immediately after an Injury

Once you notice a bruise, start by applying ice and continue with it for the first 48 hours. You get a bruise when underlying blood vessels break and ice help with healing by constricting these blood vessels. Simply take an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables and place it over your bruise. Be sure to wrap your ice pack in a cloth before applying to your skin. Apply it for 20 minutes after every hour for the first 48 hours.

2.       Keep Your Bruise Elevated

You need to do it especially during the first 24 hours. It is even more important if you have a bruise on your foot or leg. Take plenty of rest for the first few hours and do not exert the affected body part.

3.       Switch to Heat Compresses

After the first 48 hours, you should switch to a heat compress to improve blood flow to the area. Simply run warm water over a washcloth and place it over your bruise for 10 minutes thrice a day.

4.       Use Witch Hazel

How to heal bruises faster with witch hazel? Witch hazel works because it has astringent properties and contracts body tissues to reduce bleeding. Simply apply some witch hazel to a cotton ball and hold it against your bruise for a few minutes. Repeat thrice a day for good results.

5.       Use Vinegar and Water

The mixture of equal parts vinegar and warm water will help increase blood flow to the skin's surface and accelerate healing. Be sure to rub this mixture well on the injured area for good effects.

6.       Increase Your Intake of Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps repair body cells and heals bruises faster. How to heal bruises faster by ingesting vitamin C? First, eat food rich in vitamin C, such as peppers, kale, broccoli, mangoes, oranges, and sweet potatoes. You can also take a vitamin C supplement. Alternatively, take some vitamin C pills, crush them well, and mix in water. Rub this paste directly on the affected area and leave it to dry. Remove gently with water.

7.       Eat Papaya or Pineapple

Both contain a digestive enzyme called bromelain that helps break down proteins that can trap fluids and blood in your tissues. Eat as much as you can for quick healing.

8.       Massage the Affected Area

Gently massage the affected area several times a day to find relief. Be sure to start massaging the area the day after the bruising occurs. Massage helps by stimulating your body's normal lymphatic process. You can use your fingers for a massage or use items like a toothbrush and comb to stimulate the area around your bruise.

9.       Use Arnica Gel

To know how to heal bruises faster, learn to use arnica gel right. It has amazing healing properties that reduce swelling and discoloration caused by a bruise. You will even find some relief from pain within a few hours of applying the gel. Be sure to applying it at least thrice a day for relief.

10.  Apply Essential Oils

You can make use of essential oils to heal bruises faster. Different essential oils have amazing healing properties and work great to reduce swelling and pain. To prepare a perfect mixture, you need to take geranium (30 drops), lavender (15 drops), lemon grass (10 drops), cypress (10 drops), Frankincense (5 drops), Helichrysum (5 drops), and 5 drops each of myrrh, fennel, and rosemary essential oils.  Mix them well and apply directly on your affected area for relief.

11.  Use Bilberry Extract

Originally known for improving optical health, bilberry extract is loaded with several potent antioxidants, including anthocyanosides that stabilize collage, strengthen capillaries, and increase intracellular vitamin C levels. This helps heal bruises faster.

12.  Heal Bruises with Watercress

Watercress is an effective remedy for a number of ailments mainly because of several nutrients and compounds it contains. It has vitamin C and vitamin K that make it a great treatment option for bruises. You can eat it with mixed greens and sandwiches for taste and health benefits.

13.   Roll over the Skin with Eggs

How to heal bruises faster with the help of eggs? It is simple – just boil an egg and then peel of its skin. Now, place this warm egg on your bruise and roll it for a while. This will help reduce swelling and heal bruises faster.

14.  Try Onion Juice

You can help accelerate healing by enjoying some onion. Onions work because they have inflammatory properties and help repair damaged skin cells, especially when blood vessels are involved. Simply extract onion juice and apply it on your bruise. Leave it there for a while so your skin absorbs it completely. This will unblock blood vessels and trigger healing.

Tips for Healing Bruises Faster

Now you have the basic idea of how to heal bruises faster using home remedies. It is however important to consider some other things as well. For instance:

• Be very careful when selecting pain relievers. Stay away from aspirin because it thins the blood and may make your condition worse. Similarly, you may want to avoid ibuprofen because it works quite like aspirin. Be sure to talk to your doctor first or take acetaminophen to reduce pain and swelling caused by a bruise.
• It is always better to take preventive measures, especially when you know you bruise too easily. You may also want to take vitamin C supplements to help strengthen capillary walls to prevent bruising.
• Add more of apricots, carrots, and citrus fruits to your diet to increase your intake of flavonoids that make it easier for your body to utilize vitamin C. You may benefit from grape-seed extract because it is loaded with flavonoids. Only take 20-50mg a day.
• Consider taking vitamin K if you bruise easily.  Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and leafy green vegetables are all loaded with vitamin K.