Image source: Dunikowski.com
If you’ve been noticing more and more bruises as you get older, you are not alone: “As we age, we lose the fat just beneath our skin that protects our blood vessels from trauma,” says Dr. Francesa Fusco, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in this month’s Oprah magazine. In addition, Dr. Audrey Kunin, a board-certified Kansas City derm and founder of DERMADoctor.com, adds in her book that other problems may cause chronic bruising as well, including “[certain] medications…blood disorders like leukenmia, chronic sun exposure, and…a genetic predisposition.” Luckily, there are several known ways you can treat bruises, according to leading derms:
1. Cut down on aspirin, ibuprofen, steroids, and vitamin E. (With the permission of your doctor, of course.) These medications can thin the blood and make you more susceptible to bruising, according to Drs. Fusco and Kunin.
2. Take 1500 mg daily of vitamin C. According to Kunin, if you’re taking vitamin C supplements to reduce bruising, “the recommended dosage is 1500 mg daily, but your kidneys must be fully healthy and functional; check with your doctor if there is any question.” According to Fusco, vitamin C can strengthen collagen in the blood vessel walls, making bruising less likely. One of my favorite ways to take vitamin C is GNC A-Z Chewable 500 mg with Vitamin C Complex ($10.99, Drugstore.com).
3. Take 500 mg twice daily of bromelain. Bromelain, an extract from the pineapple, may help discolored areas heal more quickly, according to Dr. Leslie Baumann, author of The Skin Care Solution.
4. Use a vitamin K cream. Dr. Kunin states that K-Derm Gel ($38.00, Amazon.com) may be used to “help prevent or expedite the resolution of bruising.” However, Kunin further adds that “pregnant or nursing women and patients on Coumadin (warfarin) should avoid the use of topical vitamin K.” Certainly good to know!
5. Or use a topical arnica cream. According to Oprah, anecdotal evidence suggests that arnica creams like Boiron Arnicare Cream speed the healing of bruises. Paula Begoun, consumer advocate and author of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, further affirms that arnica “reduces inflammation and reduces bruising,” though mentions research suggesting that arnica should not be applied to open or abraded skin because it can be irritating in those areas.
6. Wear sunscreen. Kunin notes “cumulative sun damage thins the skin, and blood vessels are more easily ruptured.” By wearing sunscreen, you help prevent the loss of collagen, and hence keep your skin from thinning for longer. One favorite that goes on light is Clinique UV Response Body Cream SPF 50 ($18.50, Clinique.com).
As a result, you may be getting more bruises on your skin as you age, but there are plenty of dermatologist-recommended treatments for them. As always, consult with your physician before beginning any new treatment program. Good luck – let me know how any of these treatments work for you! 🙂
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