Two Thumbs Up: Zax’s Kids Bruise Cream

I just want to put the following on record: when I was contacted by the makers of  Zax’s Kids Bruise Cream to review the treatment cream, it was a NO-BRAINER. Ryder, at just shy of 4 years old, is one helluva an active kid. We can’t figure out if he just has a zest for life… or is moonlighting as a stunt double while we’re asleep.

And oh yeah, he’s got a few bruises.

I’m always skeptical to apply “ointments” or “treatments” that aren’t strictly necessary, but in this case, I was willing to make an exception. It helps that favourable reviews of the bruise cream were popping up on my favourite blogs – check out these testimonials from My Organized Chaos and Toronto Teacher Mom.

The Product

Zax’s Kid’s Bruise Cream is the first only natural Cream that has been approved by Health Canada to treat bruising in children (ages 2 – 11 years old)! It is pharmacist-developed, Canadian made, and works quickly and effectively with the body’s natural healing system to help speed healing of bruises. Our KIDs version of our famous Bruise Cream uses the same 10% Arnica Oil as the active ingredient along with Witch Hazel (menthol-free).

Why It Works

Zax’s Kid’s Bruise Cream contains sesquiterpene lactones, which may assist in healing of bruises by decreasing swelling, speeding blood reabsorption and decreasing pain. The addition of Witch Hazel contains tannins that give it astringent properties; it eases bruising by tightening stretched veins and restoring blood vessel tone.

Upon receiving the bruise cream, I was pleased with the compact size (perfectly for toting in a purse – or a back pocket). Not so impressive: the lack of a safety seal. I’m generally paranoid about using a product that doesn’t include some sort of tamper-proof device. When it’s a product I need to use on my children, that paranoia quadruples.

Thankfully, a quick phone call to the company brought reassurance for future purchases: “The Original Bruise Cream has a safety seal, however, Zax’s tube maker was working on a revised seal, which was not ready in time for Kid’s Bruise Cream launch. As such, this batch of Kid’s Bruise Cream does not have a safety seal, but it will going forward.”

We picked – oh, ANY night really – to put the cream to the test. Here are Ryder’s legs on a typical night (left), followed by application of  Zax’s Kid’s Bruise Cream to the problem areas (right).

Bonus: Ryder didn’t complain at all – so I can attest that there’s nothing about the cream that makes children squirmy. Just 24 hours later, we were amazed at the results:

Okay, so it looks like his left leg was involved in a few stunts that day, but we could find almost NO visible traces of the bruises from the night before. Success! And… now off to apply the bruise cream, AGAIN.

Zax’s Kid’s Bruise Cream retails for $18.99 and can be found across Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, PharmaPlus, London Drugs, Loblaws Superstore and natural health retailers.