Comparative Study on Bruise Reduction Treatments After Bruise Induction Using the Pulsed Dye Laser

BACKGROUND: Several bruise reduction methods have been suggested to decrease postprocedure ecchymoses. Comparing the effectiveness of common bruise reduction therapies provides better evidence of the efficacy of bruise reduction techniques. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of cold compresses, hydrogen peroxide, over-the-counter bruise serum, and pulsed dye laser (PDL) in minimizing the time required for bruise resolution. METHODS: Seventeen patients aged 22 to 51 (mean 28) with Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV underwent bruise induction with a PDL to produce five 2- by 2-cm zones of bruising on the lower abdomen. Excluding the control, bruises were randomly treated using a cold compress, bruise serum, 3% hydrogen peroxide-soaked gauze, or PDL. Subjects and two blinded physician evaluators evaluated bruise severity and graded it on a visual analog scale on days 0, 3, and 7. RESULTS: Treatment did not result in statistically significantly shorter bruise resolution time than in controls. PDL-treated bruises took a statistically significantly longer time to resolve than controls. CONCLUSION: Our study showed no significant difference in cold compress, hydrogen peroxide, and over-the-counter serum in reducing time to bruise resolution. PDL therapy resulted in greater bruise severity scores and increased time to bruise resolution when used soon after bruise induction.