Bruising every time — is that technique or just me?

Consistent small bruises. Not painful, not spreading, gone in a few days, but every time. Technique problem?

Usually a small vessel nicked on the way in. Some of it is luck and some is modifiable:

• Do not rub afterwards. Brief light pressure if anything. Rubbing spreads what has already leaked.
• In and out cleanly. Wobbling on entry or withdrawal does more damage than the puncture.
• A blunt needle bruises more. Which is the coring conversation again.
• Rotate. Repeatedly used tissue bruises more readily.

Also worth being aware of anything you take that affects clotting — aspirin, anticoagulants, and fish oil at high doses. Some people bruise easily and always will.

Consistent small bruises that resolve in a few days are cosmetic. The reason to care is that they make it harder to read a site that is doing something else, which is a real cost when the thing you most need to spot is a change.

Was rubbing. Stopping that.

Everybody rubs. It feels like it should help.