Also, one member reports less bruising when the needle is slowly inserted and slowly withdrawn after the injection. Yet, another member reports less bruising when the needle is pushed in very quickly. Evidently, trial and error should be used to find the right injection speed for each patient. Finally, one member indicates that her doctor suggested the needle be inserted only about one-quarter of the way to reduce bruising. Others find that injecting heparin at a 45 degree angle minimizes bruising as well.
Many members recommend icing the injection site both before and after the injection.
This lessens the amount of blood in the area, resulting in a smaller bruise. One member is committed to icing pre-injection for two to four minutes. Others ice for less time pre-injection or not at all. After the injection, ice in a plastic bag or paper towel can be held in place on the injection site with the elastic waistband on underwear. Some continue icing after the injection until the area is almost frostbitten, for five to ten minutes.