• Question: Why do bruises go different colours before they fade?

    Asked by Jasmine Y to Anna, Hayley, Iain, Rebecca on 23 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Rebecca Jones

      Rebecca Jones answered on 23 Jun 2015:

      Bruises appear different colours because of the proteins being broken down inside the white blood cells. The bruise appears purple first as the hemoglobin in the blood is broken down and loses oxygen. This normally happens right after an injury.

      Hemoglobin is first broken down into biliverdin which then gives the bruise that greenish tint. This is then broken down further into bilirubin which makes your bruise look yellow. After a few weeks, bilirubin is dissolved in the blood stream and is carried to the liver and kidneys to be removed.

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