Why does sun-damaged skin cause easy bruising?

Photoaging changes the structure and resilience of exposed skin. Loss of supportive tissue can leave tiny blood vessels less protected, so an ordinary knock may cause blood to leak beneath the surface. The resulting purple, red, or brown mark may be especially noticeable on the backs of the hands and forearms. Easy Bruising is a common presentation of Sun-Damaged Skin, but medicines, nutritional problems, platelet conditions, and other health issues can also contribute.

Protect exposed skin with clothing and broad-spectrum sunscreen, and reduce avoidable knocks around the home or workplace. Do not stop prescribed blood-thinning medicine on your own. Keep a record of new medicines, where bruises appear, and whether they follow an injury. A clinician can examine the skin and decide whether blood tests or a medicine review is needed.

Book a medical review for bruises that appear without a clear injury, become frequent, or occur with nosebleeds, bleeding gums, unusually heavy periods, fever, marked tiredness, or tiny pinpoint spots. Seek urgent help for severe bleeding, a rapidly expanding bruise, head injury, severe pain, or weakness.

Could photoaging explain my bruises, or should we check another cause? Do any of my medicines affect bleeding or skin strength? What changes should prompt urgent assessment, and how can I protect exposed skin?