When the sun is shining and the temperatures fly away, the desire to expand in the sun becomes almost irresistible. But what to do when an unsightly hematoma Invites itself to your leg or arm, an unwelcome memory of a trivial shock or a recent fall? The question, apparently banal, nevertheless raises a real dilemma: is it without danger of sunbathing with a blue ?
Why bruised skin does not react like healthy skin
A hematoma is not only a stain colored under the skin. This is a blood flow Outside the vessels, imprisoned in the tissues after trauma. Result: local inflammation, sometimes persistent pain, and a weakened area. But above all, one thing that many ignore: the very structure of the skin is temporarily altered.
Unlike healthy skin, a fabric marked by hematoma reacts differently to ultraviolet rays (UV). The latter, by penetrating the skin, can worsen local inflammation. Even more worrying, the iron released by the degradation of the blood in hematoma acts as an oxidation catalyst, increasing UV sensitivity. This synergy between sun and iron can lead to:
- Persistent local hyperpigmentation (irreversible brown spot)
- An extension of the healing time
- A possible appearance of pigmentary scars
In other words, voluntarily exposing a blue in the sun is running the risk of seeing him settle in a long time … in another form.
What specialists recommend facing the sun
Dermatologists are unanimous on this point: avoid exposing hematoma to the sunat least as long as the stain is visible. The objective is double: limit hyperpigmentation and promote rapid resorption. Even if it is not a classic sunburn, the risk is very real.
While waiting for the area to find its normal appearance, it is recommended to:
- Cover the hematoma with a light and opaque fabric
- Apply an index 50+ sunscreen, renewed every two hours
- Avoid prolonged exposure, even in the shade, during critical hours (12 p.m.-6 p.m.)
Note that certain treatments intended to alleviate hematomas, such as arnica or heparin creams, do not protect the skin from UV at allon the contrary. The anti-inflammatory effect can even amplify the reactivity of the skin to external aggressions.
Should we hide blue or just wait?
The temptation is great to put on shorts or a tank top despite the hematoma, hoping that it disappears with a little sun. But it would be to forget that the healing process Building above all on cellular rest. Exposing the area is delaying healing, or even provoking lasting aesthetic sequelae.
What if the blue is old but still slightly visible? Again, it is better to play prudence. Even residual pigmentation indicates that the skin has not yet found its normal structure. At this stage, the right reflex consists in systematically protecting the area for at least two weeks after the disappearance of blue, while the dermis finds its full integrity.
