This exact same thing has been happening to me now, for about 8-10 years. I am 74 and I started having this problem around the age of 65. I was a lifeguard all through high school and college and I realize that I have sun damage. My dermatologist told me that my skin is thin. Right now, I have three or four of these purple bruises on my hands and wrists. If I just bump my hand into anything, one of these bruises appears instantly! I run cold water on it right away and put pressure on it, but it continues to just develop and spread! They take such a long time to go away!!! I don’t take any blood thinners or aspirin. I wonder if there are gloves sold somewhere to wear in the house, off and on, to cut down on the number of bruises. They are mostly on my hands, fingers and arms. Like you, I have tried creams, lotions, sunscreen etc. Nothing helps!!! I have done this so often just putting clothes into the washer or dryer. The minute that it happens, I think “Oh no! This bruise will be here for a month!” I asked my dermatologist if there is any type of lotion that could thicken the skin but she didn’t know of anything like that. I think that I need some gloves!!!!!!!