The invention relates to a method of reducing post-surgical bleeding and/or bruising in a patient scheduled to be subjected to a surgical procedure and a patient that was subjected to a surgical procedure. The method involves topically applying to the area and the surrounding area of skin of the patient where the surgical procedure will be or was performed, a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of brimonidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, prior to performing the surgical procedure and/or following the surgical procedure.
