Waaiz Ali

over 3 years ago

The colours of a bruise are based upon the breakdown products of haemoglobin, and reflect the age of the bruise. So, a fresh bruise is red in colour. It then changes into blue/purple due to haemoglobin gradually losing oxygen (deoxy-haemoglobin). Over the subsequent days due to accumulation of breakdown products of haemoglobin (biliverdin and bilirubin), it becomes yellowish brown to greenish in colour.

Colors of Bruise • Shortly after injury = Red-Pink • 1-2 days = Purplish or Black-Blue • 5-10 days = Light green or Yellow • 10-14 days = Grey-Brown or Grey-Yellow