Bruises are common. Here's why getting rid of one is easier said than done

If you've ever participated in a contact sport, experienced a car accident, been part of a physical altercation, or bumped into a piece of furniture in the dead of the night, chances are you know what bruising both looks and feels like. 

Though bruises related to such injuries are often expected, "if bruising occurs without obvious reason - especially on your face, back or torso - it's usually wise to have it checked out," says Dr. Cory Fisher, a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. In such cases, bruising could be indicative of a medical condition, a serious internal injury, or as a side effect of medication. 

No matter what's behind your bruise, it can be helpful to know how long it will last and whether it's possible to get rid of it any sooner.

What actually is a bruise? 

A bruise, also called a contusion, is a discoloration of the skin that occurs "when small blood vessels under the skin, called capillaries, break due to an injury or trauma," says Dustin Portela, DO, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Treasure Valley Dermatology in Boise, Idaho. He explains that this breakage leads to blood leaking into the surrounding tissues, which then has no place to go and causes the telltale markings associated with bruising.

Most bruises are considered "harmless," per the Mayo Clinic, but when a larger collection of blood occurs, a minor bruise may have become a hematoma, which is distinguished by being larger, deeper, firmer, and sometimes long lasting. Hematomas need medical intervention more often than bruises do and can even become life threatening when they occur near your brain - an emergency medical condition known as a subdural hematoma. 

How do bruises go away? 

As long as one isn't dealing with a hematoma, however, "most bruises will resolve on their own and without much concern," says Fisher. 

They end up going away as the blood from the broken capillaries lose oxygen and begin to decompose, Portela notes. It's why "the initial color of a bruise is usually a reddish mark that then turns blue or dark purple as this occurs," he says. 

This process can last anywhere from a few days to two weeks, "but the duration of a bruise can vary depending on the severity of the injury and the individual's healing process," says Fisher. 

How to get rid of bruises

While the most common recommendation for getting rid of bruises is to simply let the body's natural healing process take care of things; when bruises occur in unsightly places on the body or at particularly inconvenient times, there are a few ways to potentially get results a bit quicker. 

"To accelerate healing, you might want to apply a cold compress immediately after an injury, elevate the area, if possible, and later switch to warm compresses to increase blood flow," offers Dr. Neha Pathak, chief physician editor at WebMD and former primary care doctor at the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

One can also hide a bruise by applying a neutralizing concealer that's one or two shades lighter than one's skin tone. "Over-the-counter pain relievers and creams that contain arnica or vitamin K may help reduce pain and swelling, but there is limited evidence to say they rapidly accelerate resolution of a bruise," adds Portela. At the very least, he says it's important to work to not re-injure the area again, which will only delay the healing process and might make the bruising worse. He also suggests keeping the bruise out of direct sunlight while it heals, if possible. 

Icing the area soon after an injury occurs might also help minimize bruising, "but do not put the ice directly on your skin and instead use a barrier like a towel," advises Dr. Steven Maher, an emergency medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. "Epsom salts in a warm-water bath can help alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with a bruise as well," he adds, "but there is no research to suggest it makes the bruise go away sooner."

What does Epsom salt do?Breaking down the benefits of this popular treatment.