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Dear Denise,
What are the best ways to live with a bruise while it heals? Is there a special makeup that can cover up a bruise?

It seems like almost every time I have a special occasion where I want to dress up and show off my legs, I bump into the coffee table the day before — and pow! There’s a big, ol’ feo bruise right there for the world to see!

Some people have told me that I probably need more potassium in my diet to help prevent bruises from happening too easily. Guess I need to eat some bananas, right?

Signed,
Bruised Ego

Dear Bruised Ego,
I wish I could tell you about some magical wand to get rid of your bruises, but there really is not! First of all, “WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING, CLUMSY!”

Really, a lack of vitamins can be part of the reason why you are bruising so easily. It would be wise to take one-a-day vitamins and have a regular check-up with your family doctor to make sure you are not lacking anything such as potassium, iron or vitamin C.

Another thing you should do is ice the area you’ve bonked as soon as you can, especially if you think you are going to bruise in the first 24 hours. Then apply heat afterward and try resting.

You can also apply vitamin K directly and/or Witch Hazel to the bruise, this helps heal and reduce pain. Now if you ask my abuelita, she would first say, “Were you drunk or just blind when you did this?” Then she would apply some Arnica, which is an old school remedy to help reduce pain and swelling (and you know Abuelita is always right).

If you are totally desperate to cover the bruise, there are many different cosmetic products you can buy such as Derma Blend, Estee Lauder Maximum Coverage or just mix a little of your foundation — as long as it matches the skin tone of the area — and apply it directly to the bruised area. But make sure it blends, or you’re going to look even worse with a big light spot.

OK, please try to be careful ...

Remember, we Chicanas are delicate flowers!

Good Luck,
Denise