Bruising 101

If you’ve ever said a few choice words to your bedpost after a not-so-lovely run-in that left a mark on your thigh, you have contributed to the very high statistic of people who attain bruises from their furniture. Although bruises are not pretty, they are a sign of blood vessels and skin cells recuperating after a bedpost bump-in or even heavy trauma.

What are bruises? 
A bruise, also known as a contusion, is a collection of damaged blood vessels that surface beneath the skin. It can appear red, black, blue, purple or yellow in color. Don’t let these colors alarm you, though. A change in color can be an indication of healing, and as the color changes the bruise should get less sensitive.

What causes bruises? 
Bruises are caused by a multitude of things. Most of the time when you think of a bruise, you think of a child who falls on a playground or an elderly person who has very sensitive skin and develops bruises easily. What you might not know is that athletes, weightlifters, frequent gym users and all you Crossfit addicts out there are more susceptible to bruising because of the microscopic tears that take place in your blood vessels under your skin during rigorous exercise. We’re not saying you should stop the exercise. Just beware that your healthy daily routine may be causing some of that unexplained bruising that develops later on throughout your day.

A vitamin C deficiency can also leave your skin more susceptible to bruising. If you want to prevent the potential bruises, eat a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. It will do wonders for your skin. 

Should I be concerned about bruises? 
In general, bruising should not be alarming unless you experience:
- Unexplained bruising
- Bruising accompanied by swelling and extreme pain
- Bruising underneath a fingernail or toenail where you may suspect a broken bone
- Bruising caused by a heavy impact that may lead to a hematoma

In these cases, you should contact your doctor for proper medical care. Regardless of what kind of bruise you have, the good news is that most bruises don’t carry the same risk of infection as a cut or a scrape that breaks the skin.

What about black eyes? 
Fun fact about black eyes: most black eyes occur because of an impact that occurs right ABOVE the eye, not below it. The bruise appears below the eye because of gravity, which makes the blood vessels travel to the area just under the eye. This causes discoloration above and below the eye.

Although bruises aren’t pretty and bumping into furniture is not on your weekly to-do list, it is pretty amazing how the human body can heal itself through the bruising process.

Have any questions about bruising that we didn’t address here? Leave them in the comments and we’ll try to answer them there.

Eat food. Get great skin. (Sort of.)

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We all love to eat. And we all have probably been told (by our grandmothers, no doubt) that eating the wrong foods can wreak havoc on our skin. I’m here to tell you that a lot of those rumors are just that – rumors. In this blog post, I’ll tell you all about the real super foods…and debunk some myths along the way.

For Anti-Aging

Vitamin C

A 2007 study released by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that higher intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid and lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates were associated with better skin-aging appearance. In simpler words: More vitamin C means fewer wrinkles, less dryness and a reduced risk for skin atrophy.

Sweet Potatoes

Wrinkles are, unfortunately, an unavoidable sign of aging. What you can help control is how quickly the aging process takes place. Try eating sweet potatoes — these orange spuds are filled with vitamin C that helps with the production of collagen, which helps smooth out wrinkles and prevent new ones.

Flaxseeds

If you’re not a fan of sweet potatoes, try adding flaxseeds to your diet. Flaxseeds fight wrinkles because of their payload of omega-3 fatty acids. These super seeds go great on top of your favorite yogurt and salads. You can also try blending them into your favorite smoothie!

Almonds or Avocados

If taste is your goal, add some almonds or avocados to your diet. These super foods are packed with vitamin E, which helps fight sun damage.

Tuna

Although dietitians do not always recommend canned foods, canned tuna is what I would consider an exception. That’s right, canned tuna contains skin-tightening selenium that preserves elastin, a powerful protein that helps your skin maintain its elasticity – and fight wrinkles.

For Anti-Aging and Lowering Your Risk of Skin Cancer: Vegetables. All of them.

Being told to “eat your vegetables” doesn’t seem as ridiculous as an adult — especially if you want healthy skin! Oranges, limes, kale, asparagus, spinach and grapefruits are rich sources of vitamin C – which, of course, is Super Food No. 1 for anti-aging.

Veggies can prevent skin cancer too! Spinach is particularly important for skin health because of its ability to fight various skin cancers, and carrots are filled with vitamin A, which reduces the risk of developing skin cancer cells. A bonus for carrots: They’re great blemish blasters for those with minor breakouts.

For Anti-Aging and Antioxidants: Green Tea

Green tea has become very popular in the last several years, as the media has reported on a variety of studies extolling its value. Are you drinking it yet? You should be. If all of those studies weren’t enough to convince you, here is one more: Green tea has always been known for its antioxidants and anti-cancer properties, but a recent study has found that drinking two to six cups a day will not only help prevent skin cancer, but can help reverse the effects of sun damage. Remember to drink this mighty tea when it’s hot – the antioxidants degrade as it cools.

For Dry Skin: Safflower Oil

As important as it is for our skin to actually be healthy, most of strive for it to look healthy as well. Try safflower oil. It’s packed with omega-6 fatty acids that act as a natural moisturizer, and can be beneficial for people suffering from dry, flaky or itchy skin. Some studies have 
found that this oil may even help with eczema.

Did I miss anything you want to ask about? Leave your questions in the comments and I'll answer them there.