Another Bruise? Why?

Where did that one come from?

bruised fruit! istockphoto.com/photos/rotten-green-apple-picture-id528391845

I bruise easily, so be gentle when you handle me
There's a mark you leave, like a love heart carved on a tree
I bruise easily, can't scratch the surface without moving me
Underneath I bruise easily, I bruise easily
I bruise easily, I bruise easily-Bruised Water

I was walking with a friend last week when I noticed a large bruise on her leg. I asked what happened. She shrugged: “I don’t know! I just seem to get these lately.”

A few days later, I was having lunch with another friend. She wore a sleeveless top and had a bruise blooming on her upper arm. Again, I asked. Again, she had no idea.

The same thing is happening to me—random bruises that seem to appear out of nowhere. It feels like if you look at me too hard, a purple mark pops up. What gives?

I started this Substack to chronicle my experience of growing older—not in the “frail and 92” sense, but in the way it happens to many of us in our 50s, 60s, and early 70s. I used to think aging meant waking up one day and being old. Turns out, it's a slow series of small changes you barely notice… until you do.

And bruising? That’s one of those changes.

I don’t remember this happening in my 30s or 40s. Now, it seems like every week, I find a fresh bruise on my arm or leg, and I have absolutely no memory of what caused it. A few months ago, a dear friend I hadn’t seen in a long time pulled me into a warm, tight hug. The next morning, both of my upper arms had perfect fingerprint-shaped bruises. She didn’t squeeze me hard. It was just love! And yet… there they were.

So I started asking around: “Do you bruise more easily now?” Every single person I asked said yes.

I decided to dig in and figure out why this is happening—especially to people who are otherwise healthy, active, and taking care of themselves. Here's what I found:

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If you're in your 50s, 60s, or early 70s and you’re noticing more unexplained bruises—but you don’t have a serious illness, aren’t on blood thinners, and haven’t joined a fight club—here are some reasons this might be happening:

1. Our skin is thinning.
Collagen and fat in the skin naturally decline with age. These layers act like cushions, protecting the tiny blood vessels under the skin from even minor trauma. When they thin out, it takes a lot less force to cause visible bruising. This can start as early as our 50s.

2. Capillaries become more fragile.
Even if you’re eating well and staying active, the small blood vessels just under the skin (called capillaries) become more prone to breaking. This is a normal part of aging—not a sign that anything is wrong.

3. Sun damage plays a role.
Years of sun exposure weaken the connective tissues that support blood vessels, especially on sun-exposed areas like arms and legs. (Ever notice how some people seem to bruise mostly on their forearms?) So, as someone who lived in the sun her entire life…this hits home!

4. Your meds or supplements might be contributing.
You don’t have to be on a prescription blood thinner for medications to increase bruising. Things like fish oil, turmeric, ginkgo, aspirin, or even NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) can subtly thin the blood and make bruises more likely. Again, this is me. I take fish oil supplements, eat a lot of tumeric, and take NSAIDS for my infrequent migraines.)

5. You might just be... bumping into things more often.
OK, this one stings. I hate to admit it, but some of my bruises are 100% me being clumsy. I misjudge where a doorway ends or how close the coffee table is. I’m not dizzy or unsteady—just a little more spatially challenged than I used to be. Does this happen to you too? Why???

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In most cases, bruising like this is harmless. But here are some signs it’s time to check in with your doctor:

• Bruises that are unusually large or painful

• Bruising without any physical contact at all

• Easy bruising accompanied by other symptoms (like fatigue or bleeding gums)

• Bruises that don’t heal after a couple of weeks

You might need a simple blood test to rule out things like anemia, vitamin deficiencies, or platelet issues. But again, for most of us, this is just another chapter in the “growing older but not old-old” story.

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There’s no magic fix for getting older skin, but according to the Mayo Clinic, a few things can help:

• Protect your skin. Long sleeves, gloves for gardening, and cushioned clothing help avoid those minor bumps that turn into technicolor bruises.

• Support your blood vessels. Eating foods rich in vitamin C and flavonoids (like berries, leafy greens, and citrus) may help strengthen capillaries.

• Moisturize! Well-hydrated skin is slightly more resilient. It's not a cure, but it can help.

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Did You Know?
– 1 in 3 adults over 50 report increased unexplained bruising
– The medical term for easy bruising is purpura simplex
– Mild vitamin C deficiency can make capillaries more fragile
– People with fair skin tend to bruise more noticeably, though not necessarily more often
– Sun damage over time weakens blood vessel walls, especially on arms and hands

I realized it’s not just the bruises. It’s what they represent: a thousand quiet reminders that our bodies are changing—even when we still feel like ourselves inside. (I don’t feel old…what is happening?) These changes come on so gradually, so subtly, that we often don’t talk about them until we’re already living with them.

Sometimes I wonder how many of us are quietly adapting to these tiny betrayals without ever saying a word. So let’s say it: Yes, our skin is thinner. Yes, the bruises last longer. But no, we’re not alone.

Does this happen to you? Do you find yourself bruised and baffled?

And more broadly: What little physical changes have caught you off guard in this season of life?

I’d love to hear your stories in the comments. This is a space for sharing, not just reading. We’re figuring out how to age together. Let’s talk.

Have a good week,

Much love!

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