Anatomy of a Bruise

We all get bruises from time to time. They form when tiny blood vessels break under our skin, which is usually caused by a minor injury from falling or bumping into something. Without having anywhere to go, the blood that leaks out from the broken blood vessels pools underneath the skin.

Bruises often come in gray, blue, or purple colors. Bruises also change in color as they heal. The color of a bruise is actually a good estimate of its age from the day it has formed. However, it’s important to note that skin tone can also affect the color of a bruise. Those with lighter skin tone tend to have more bruises of a redd-ish or a yellowish hue, while those with darker skin tone tend to have more dark or purple-ish bruises from the get-go.

Learn more about the colors of bruises and what they mean below.

Colors of a Bruise

As the body heals, it breaks down the compounds of an iron-rich substance called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the same compound that gives blood its red color. This breakdown is what causes the colors of a bruise to change over time as a part of its healing process.

Your bruise will undergo the following changes:

It usually appears red immediately after injury
After 1-2 days, the bruise may appear purple, black, or blue. This is because the blood begins to lose oxygen.
In 5-10 days, it may turn green or yellow. This happens when the body produces the compounds biliverdin and bilirubin as it breaks down hemoglobin.
In 10-14 days, it will turn yellowish or brown.

Once the bruise turns from a shade of brown to light brown, it is well on its way to healing completely. It shall completely fade in about two weeks.

Lose the bruise

Speed up the healing process of bruises with the help of Hirudoid. Hirudoid is a cream that contains Mucopolysaccharide polysulphate (MPS), which helps accelerate the healing time of bruises by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation and swelling, and promoting tissue generation in the affected area.

Hirudoid has been clinically proven to help heal bruises fast with the anti-coagulant, anti-thrombotic, and anti-inflammatory properties of MPS.

When to see a doctor Bruises are usually not a medical concern and can fade with or without treatment after two weeks. However, one should seek immediate medical care when a bruise is caused or accompanied by the following: