Archive for the Bruises Category
Posted on December 21, 2010 with No Comments
Bruises, or muscle contusions, are one of those injuries that just about everyone has had at one point or another.
In fact, bruises are the second most common sports injury after strains, and although not considered a serious injury, they can cause mild discomfort and create quite a nasty looking discoloration on the skin.
A deep tissue bruise can be the result of your body colliding with a solid object, (or a solid object colliding with your body). When this occurs, the soft tissues under your skin (muscle fibers and connective tissue) are crushed but the skin does not break or rupture.
When these soft tissues are damaged, blood from the ruptured capillaries leaks out under the skin and pools, causing the area to swell and form a red or purplish mark that can be sore and tender to touch. The symptoms associated with bruises are pain, swelling and restricted movement.
Like muscle strains, bruises are usually graded into three categories and these are referred to as: first; second; or third degree depending on their severity.
A first degree bruise is the least severe. It is the result of a minor rupture of the capillaries and is accompanied by mild pain, some swelling and stiffness. There is usually very little loss of function as a result of a first degree bruise.
A second degree bruise is the result of a moderate rupture of the capillaries and increased bleeding. There is also increased swelling and pain associated with a second degree bruise and a moderate loss of movement at the injury site.
A third degree bruise is the most severe of the three. A third degree bruise is the result of a major rupture of the capillaries and will result in massive swelling, severe pain and instability around the injury site.
Anyone can get a bruise, although people involved in contact sports are most at risk. But why do some people bruise more easily than others?
The severity of a bruise can depend on a number of things: like how tough a person’s skin tissue is; the general health of the underlying muscles and soft tissue; medications you may be on; or your age. Age can be a major contributor because as we get older our blood vessels tend to become more fragile.
The immediate treatment of any soft tissue injury is vital. Proper care and treatment now will go a long way towards a full recovery later. It is likely that most first degree bruises will require very little treatment, however second and third degree bruises should be treated with the following.
This involves the application of (R) rest, (I) ice, (C) compression, (E) elevation and obtaining a (R) referral for appropriate medical treatment.
Posted on May 28, 2009 with No Comments
StriMedix-K Spider Vein Treatment
The most common non-surgical treatment for bruises, spider veins and rosacea are creams that contain Vitamin K. Generally they are pretty highly concentrated and are formulated with other actives such as Aloe, Gigawhite, Vitamin E or Panthenol.
While combined you get many properties and benefits for vein restoration (better said healed), the objective is to help improve circulation via enhanced valve function, improve wall structure to reduce leaking and permeability of capillaries, and aid in nutrition delivery.
This helps fade clear and heal bruises, spider veins, and rosacea; and helping reduce possibility of recurring symptoms.
Recently, an ingredient developed by Croda™/Sederma™ – Phytotonine® – has been used successfully to supplement Vitamin’s K & E and other formulations.
Phytotonine – Veinotonic effect derived from the synergistic effect of three plant extracts, Arnica, Cypress and Soloman Seal. By toning the capillary walls and reducing capillary permeability, product normalizes circulation to help eliminate fluids and toxins while enhancing the blood supply of nutrients and oxygen to the cells. Recommended for the treatment of dark circles, puffy eye, heavy legs and rosacea. Croda/Sederma
As a manufacturer, this opens up a number of opportunites and solutions regarding products for poor venous health and leaking. As mentioned in the quote above, this can cover severe or deep tissue bruising to darkened circles under the eyes and spider or thread veins.
The greatest benefit in the world of skin care, is that it gives us (consumers and manufacturers) an additional “leg on the stool” for solutions and treatments. Phytotonine, with its properties of minimizing or reducing fluid build-up, make it an excellent additive for treating puffiness (and associated darkened circles) under the eyes as well as helping or accelerating healing of bruises.
I believe, however, the greatest gain can come from its’ use in spider veins cream. Why?
- Treatment options are relegated to sclerotherapy or lasers. Both are effective, though I consider both limited in treatment area; with lasers, in particular having the side effect of needing some post-treatment healing. Though considered moderate relative to other cosmetic surgery, cost is high – I believe (~$250-500/visit).
- Spider veins are prominent, afflict a large population (men and women) and can have a profound affect on a person’s appearance (whether on the legs, nose, face, et al).
- Many Vitamin K creams and solutions have been proven effective, but it’s nice to have another “bullet in the gun” for improving the breadth and level of efficacy.
Rosacea and spider veins share similar causes and any formula or ingredient that improves a large surface area while addressing the root causes is welcomed. Increasing capillary health, helping strengthen or repair broken capillary walls or increasing circulation can have a wide-reaching positive effect on the treatment of numerous dermatological ailments.
Tags: argireline, education, Ingredients, phytotonine, Rosacea, Skin Care, Skin Products, spider vein cream, Spider Veins, vitamin k
Category: Bruises, Ingredients, Rosacea, Skin Care, Stretch Marks
Posted on April 29, 2009 with 2 Comments
Vitamin K has been shown in clinical testing to help improve health and strength of vein walls and valve function in veins and capillaries. It is an effective active ingredient in products such as Capiderm® RX (RegeneVal Labs™) and Red Alert® (medic8™) for treating and clearing spider veins, rosacea, and bruises.
In addition to improving vein health, Vitamin K assists coagulation – accelerating and promoting fading of discoloration caused by superficial and deep tissue bruising.
This property also helps fading of clogged micro-capillaries and veins prominent on the nose and cheeks.
Bruises are far more common than we’d like them to be. No matter how careful we may try to be, there are always bangs, trips, stumbles and falls that could cause bruising. A bruise is essential an external manifestation of trauma or injury caused to blood veins.
Minor bruises will fade away slowly and naturally and within 5 to 10 days it will be just another memory in a long list of bruises. Deep tissue bruises however are more serious. These are essentially deeper bruises and could signify the possibility of muscle damage.
Deep tissue bruising calls for medical attention. It is important that you first get a doctors opinion to rule out any serious internal injury. It is often a symptom of muscle trauma and is often accompanied by tenderness around the affected area.
In addition to medical attention, you can lessen the duration and bruising and can even reduce the severity of the bruise with the help of creams that contain 1% or more formulation. Vitamin K is the substance the body uses to help clot blood and slow bleeding.Since a bruise is really nothing more than pooled and/or seeping blood, Vitamin K cream is the perfect defense.
Vitamin K is fat soluble which means that it can be easily absorbed through the skin.Using a cream form allows it to be applied directly to the affected area where it can be absorbed even into a deep tissue bruise.
