This article was co-authored by Alicia Ramos and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Alicia Ramos is a licensed aesthetician and the owner of Smoothe Denver in Denver, Colorado. She received her license at the School of Botanical & Medical Aesthetics, with training in lashes, dermaplaning, waxing, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels, and now provides skin care solutions to hundreds of clients.
There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Ugh, you just bought a new pair of shorts to rock at a party tomorrow, but you notice a giant bruise on your leg. Is there any way to clear that up quickly so you can strut your stuff without feeling bruise-conscious? Toothpaste has been touted as a simple home remedy for bruising, but there’s very little evidence that it actually works (the minty coolness might feel good, though!). In this article, we’ll debunk whether toothpaste really works or not and show you how to try it, plus share the best medically-backed ways to treat and heal a bruise. You’ve probably got everything you need in your medicine cabinet—toothpaste included!
Things You Should Know
- Some think putting toothpaste on a bruise improves circulation and speeds up healing time, but there is little to no evidence to support this. It won't hurt to try it, though!
- Mix 2 parts toothpaste and 1 part lotion and apply a thin layer to your bruise before bed. Wrap the bruise with a bandage overnight and rinse it clean in the morning.
- Speed up healing by icing the bruise right away, then using heat after 24 hours. Keep the bruise elevated and wear a compression bandage to fight swelling.
Steps
How to Use Toothpaste to Get Rid of Bruises
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1Combine 2 parts toothpaste and 1 part skin lotion in a small bowl. Stir the ingredients until they’re evenly mixed. Use any kind of skin cream you’d normally use on yourself, like a moisturizing lotion or dry skin repair cream. Try a natural toothpaste with peppermint oil if you have it on hand—if not, any minty toothpaste will do.[5]
- Try adding a few drops of coconut oil to help keep the toothpaste from drying out your skin.
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2Cover the bruise in the toothpaste-lotion mixture before bedtime. Use your hands or a clean cloth to apply a thin layer of the toothpaste mixture over the entire bruise. Let the mixture sit on top of your skin instead of trying to rub it in like you would with plain lotion. You may start to feel a chilled, tingling sensation from the toothpaste.[6]
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3Put a bandage over the toothpaste mixture to protect your sheets. Apply a bandage or gauze pads to cover small bruises, or cover larger bruises with an ACE bandage. If your bandage wraps around a limb, secure it with medium-light pressure so it doesn’t cut off your circulation while you sleep.[7]
- The bandage will keep the toothpaste-lotion mixture from getting on your sheets, bedding, or PJs during the night.
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4Keep the toothpaste on overnight and rinse it off in the morning. When you wake up, remove your bandage and rinse the toothpaste mixture away with water. Your skin might feel a little irritated or sensitive from the toothpaste. If it worked, your bruise will look lighter (or might be totally gone if it was small or light to begin with).[8]
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5Repeat for 2-3 more nights or until the bruise disappears. If your bruise is still noticeable after one night of toothpaste, try the remedy again for the following 2 nights.[9] Only use toothpaste on your skin once a day before bed—using it multiple times throughout the day can cause irritation, redness, or sensitivity.[10]
References
- ↑ https://www.self.com/story/internet-hickey-hacks
- ↑ https://www.mymed.com/health-wellness/interesting-health-info/how-to-get-rid-of-a-hickey/other-methods-that-may-speed-up-the-healing-of-a-hickey
- ↑ https://www.mymed.com/health-wellness/interesting-health-info/how-to-get-rid-of-a-hickey/other-methods-that-may-speed-up-the-healing-of-a-hickey
- ↑ https://www.healthshots.com/beauty/natural-cures/toothpaste-for-skin-is-good-or-bad/
- ↑ https://www.beautyepic.com/how-to-get-rid-of-bruises-with-toothpaste/
- ↑ https://www.lovethispic.com/blog/22799/surprising-ways-to-use-toothpaste
- ↑ https://www.beautyepic.com/how-to-get-rid-of-bruises-with-toothpaste/
- ↑ https://www.beautyepic.com/how-to-get-rid-of-bruises-with-toothpaste/
- ↑ https://www.lovethispic.com/blog/22799/surprising-ways-to-use-toothpaste
- ↑ https://www.self.com/story/internet-hickey-hacks
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/bruises.html
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15235-bruises
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/bruises.html
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=zx4360
- ↑ https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/muscle-contusion-bruise/
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/arnica
- ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminK-Consumer/
- ↑ https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/nutrition/if-nfs-eating-well-for-wound-healing.pdf
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/bruises.html
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15235-bruises
- ↑ https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/bruises
- ↑ https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/bruises
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-bruise/basics/art-20056663
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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