If you were involved in an accident or altercation, you might have sustained a black eye. These unsightly bruises can invite awkward questions and curious stares from the public so you may be interested in getting rid of it as quickly as possible.
Fortunately, there are ways to speed up the healing and make it less obvious. Read on to discover them and learn more about black eyes.
What Causes a Black Eye?
Image source: Pinterest
A black eye is often associated with a physical scuffle or an injury. It can also be due to accidents or be part of recovery after a facial surgery or cosmetic procedure. It happens when your eye area becomes bruised because the tiny blood vessels in your skin start bleeding.
Most of the time, injuries that lead to a black eye aren’t as serious as they look, although the darker and more swollen the black eye, the more painful it may seem.
A black eye can also indicate a more severe injury that goes beyond a simple bruise. It can be a symptom of the thin bones around your eye being fractured or an internal eye injury.
Sometimes, a skull fracture is also possible, mostly if the black eye develops into raccoon eyes or bruising around both eyes, nose bleeding, double vision, lack of consciousness, and bleeding in the white part of the eye.
How to Get Rid of a Black Eye Fast: 10 Ways
Image source: Pinterest
#1. Apply Cold Therapy STAT.
Applying an ice compress as soon as possible after getting injured in your eye area is highly suggested to address the swelling early on. Ensure you apply gentle pressure and never press on your eye which can add more bruising to the affected area.
If an ice cube is not readily available, a cold compress, ice pack, or even a bag of frozen vegetables can be a temporary solution. However, do not use steak, raw meat, and other food items even if they’re frozen. They may have bacteria that can trigger an infection.
#2. Transition to a Hot Compress.
After the injury, a cold compress is the first course of action. After a few days, especially when the swelling is not as bad, replace the cold therapy with a hot or warm compress. The heat will increase and promote blood flow around your eye and aid in the internal healing of your bruise.
To create a hot compress, you need a small clean towel placed in hot (not boiling) water. Fold the towel into a square and gently place it on your black eye for 20 minutes or as long as it remains warm.
#3. Get Plenty of Rest.
Resting your body is the best way to encourage the healing process. Take it easy, especially for the first 24 to 48 hours of your injury. Avoid any activities that will trigger your heart rate to go up because this may worsen the bruising of your eye and the surrounding area.
#4. Elevate Your Head.
For the first day or two, keep your head elevated and propped on a pillow. You can also use a recliner when you sleep since gravity can reduce the swelling in your eye area.
#5. Gently Massage the Area.
Once most of the swelling has subsided, you can gently massage the area around your eyes. This relies on the same principle as applying a hot compress: it will encourage blood flow that can speed up healing.
If you experience pain during or after the massage, discontinue palpating the area. The discomfort you feel is most likely a sign that there is still swelling in the area.
#6. Apply Arnica Cream.
Arnica comes from the plant Arnica montana. It is sometimes called mountain tobacco. The substance is known for its anti-inflammatory properties so it is highly recommended for treating bruises. Arnica can be conveniently used as gels and creams.
#7. Put on Comfrey Cream.
Another natural remedy with the same effects as arnica is comfrey. Scientifically known as Symphytum officinale, it is used to treat bruises, strains, and sprains. Comfrey is formulated in creams so you can easily apply it to your eye area. During application, make sure that you don’t accidentally put some in your eye.
#8. Feed Your Skin with Vitamin C.
Many claim that vitamin C creams can help heal and lighten black eyes although the evidence supporting it isn’t as strong. As a natural healing agent, vitamin C can strengthen your blood vessels while reducing the bruising on your skin. When combined with bilberry extract and its antioxidants, you can maximize the potency of vitamin C and get rid of your black eye faster.
#9. Splurge on a Laser Treatment.
If you need to get rid of that black eye badly, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. See if you can undergo an in-office laser treatment to trigger faster healing and prevent the bleeding from spreading.
Although this option is only for extreme cases, you can treat yourself to a laser treatment and reinforce its effects with concealer. Otherwise, let nature take its course and wait for the bruise to disappear.
#10. Consult Your Doctor.
Your doctor can provide you with additional tips on how to get rid of your black eye faster, so scheduling a consultation is a good idea. Your doctor can also offer you reassurance that your black eye is normal and that there is nothing more serious behind it.
How Do You Get Rid of a Bruise in 24 Hours?
Image source: Pinterest
Bruises take weeks to heal. Your body has a timeline for healing and recuperating, so unfortunately, you can’t eliminate a bruise in 24 hours. Understand that there are stages involved before your bruise heals completely. Here is a general overview of how a healthy body responds to recovery:
• The bruise or the black eye will begin to form after your injury. The area around your area will turn into shades of red as blood pools under your skin.
• In 24 to 48 hours, your blood’s hemoglobin breaks down, and swelling in your eye area begins. At this time, the area around your eyes will be darker red and bluish to purple-black.
• By the second day up to the tenth day, your body will start getting rid of the old blood. Your black eye won’t be as dark and will start to turn into shades of green and yellow. The swelling will also subside during this stage.
• During the tenth day and up to the second week, your bruise will have minimal to zero puffiness. The color around your eye will be light yellow to light brown.
• During the second week and beyond, your bruise will be completely healed.
Applying an ice pack over your bruise as soon as possible can shorten this two-week healing process.
FAQ
1. How Long Does a Black Eye Take to Heal?
Generally, a black eye needs about two weeks to heal. This is not a fixed timeframe, because healing can take more or less time based on factors like your age, overall health, and the severity of your bruise.
How you take care of your health and the interventions you underwent during the first few days after injury also significantly impact the length of your healing.
2. How Do You Get Rid of Dark Black Eyes?
Dark black eyes due to bruising go through a natural healing process. The bruising is not something you can stop from happening, but you can mitigate the severity of its appearance. Rest assured that the bruising and the darkening of the skin around your eyes will eventually subside.
3. Should I Put Ice on a Black Eye?
This is one of the first remedies you should adopt when you sustain an eye injury. Ice or anything cold applied to your black eye can help reduce the swelling. It doesn’t guarantee the absence of swelling, but you can expect the inflammation to be significantly less.
Ice is considered the best and easiest treatment for bruises so always make sure that you apply cold therapy as soon as possible.
4. Can a Black Eye Last for More Than Two Weeks?
There are cases when the healing process may be slower than usual and exceed the usual two-week timeline. If you are not experiencing any other symptoms during this time, just let your black eye heal naturally.
However, if you start to experience other problems during your recovery, like a bleeding disorder or the bruise color getting darker rather than lighter, go to your doctor for an evaluation.
If you’re taking any medication, you may experience prolonged bruising. This is a side effect of certain drugs, particularly those that prevent blood clots (examples: warfarin and heparin). Hence, they could delay the natural healing of your bruise.
