Do You Bruise a Lot? on Yahoo! Health

While it is true that some people bruise more easily than others, you can reduce your risk of turning black and blue at the slightest touch. First of all, familiarize yourself with things that make you more susceptible to bruising: alcohol, NSAIDS (like aspirin or ibuprofen), and long-term use of steroids can all make blood vessels fragile.

Supplements and foods like St. John's Wort, green tea, Vitamin E, ginko, and ginseng also have a blood-thinning effect that increases your bruising risk. Of course, you might decide that the benefits of these items outweigh their side effects, and that's OK, too - a little normal bruising does not usually pose a health risk. Furthermore, if you have been medically advised to take aspirin, blood thinners, or steroids, do not stop taking them; talk with your doctor about your bruising concerns.

Another approach is to simply eliminate items from the list above as a preemptive measure before activities that could lead to bruising, like playing sports or undergoing certain dermatological treatments. I ask patients to avoid unnecessary blood-thinning items for ten days before treatment with dermal fillers, for example.

Once you've undergone a physical trauma - or if you plan to undergo a dermatological treatment that could lead to bruising - there are still steps you can take to minimize the resulting discoloration:

Talk to your doctor about bromelain supplements, which have been shown to minimize bruising - I always recommend that my patients take 500mg twice a day after treatment with a dermal filler until bruises heal, and that's an effective course of action after a bruise-inducing injury too. If you take an anticoagulant medication (like warfarin or aspirin), though, don't take this supplement before consulting a physician.
In my clinic, I recommend that patients take four homeopathic arnica pills labeled "with 30x dilution" 4-6 hours prior to a cosmetic procedure that may cause bruising. High doses of oral arnica can be harmful, so do not exceed this dose and be sure to use the 30x dilution strength. (Some people are sensitive to the compound helenalin found in arnica. If you develop a mild rash, you are probably helenalin-sensitive and should stop using arnica.) Topical products with arnica, like Boiron Arnicare Cream, may also help, although their impact will not be as significant as oral arnica's.
In a study I helped conduct, topical vitamin K was shown to significantly reduce the severity of bruises, speeding their evolution from eye-catching purple to a less-noticeable yellow tone. Look for it in products like Donell Super Skin K-Derm Gel (which also includes bruise-busting arnica). Vitamin K is particularly effective when combined with retinol - I love Quintessence Clarifying Under Eye Serum, which combines those two powerhouse ingredients for you. (Yes, it's designed to minimize darkness under the eyes, but works wonders on bruises, too. Don't worry that it has green tea.)
Finally, avoid hot showers, saunas, and other sources of heat for 24 hours following a physical trauma or dermatological treatment that could lead to bruising.

Wishing you great skin!

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Dr. Baumann is author of the best-selling book, " The Skin Type Solution." To learn more about her revolutionary skin typing system, visit her Web site, SkinTypeSolutions.com.

All of Dr. Baumann's recommended skin care products are available online, and a portion of proceeds goes to The Dermatology Foundation.