[header] How to heal bruises fast [title] Apply ice for the first 48 hours. [step] A bruise is formed when a fall or blow causes blood vessels to break, causing blood flow to move to the skin's surface. When you first notice a bruise, apply ice right away. 
Ice can help heal a bruise fast by constricting underlying blood vessels. [substeps] An ice pack, a bag of frozen vegetables, or ice in a plastic bag can serve as a cold compress.