A black eye usually looks worse than it really is, but that doesn't make it any less embarrassing or painful. Quick treatment can help lessen the pain and swelling that accompany a black eye and can also shorten the duration of the spot. Read on to learn how to treat a black eye and hide it if you feel embarrassed.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treat the Hematoma Immediately
Step 1. Apply ice or cold packs as soon as possible
This is the most effective treatment for a black eye and you should start immediately. The cold will reduce swelling and pain. The color of the black eye is in fact the result of the hematoma under the skin and the cold will constrict the blood vessels, with the possibility of reducing or slowing the transfer of blood.
- Apply light pressure to hold a bag of crushed ice, frozen vegetables, ice, or an old packaging to the eye.
- Make sure you wrap the ice in a clean, dry cloth. Placing ice directly on the skin could cause a cold burn.
- Apply the ice pack to the eye for 20 minutes every hour until you go to bed. Thus, you will alternate between 20 and 40 minutes on at least the first day.
- Don't put a steak or raw meat on the eye. If there are bacteria on the flesh they could easily infect an open wound or transfer to the mucous membrane of the eye.
Step 2. Avoid overexertion or exerting pressure
Do not try to force the eye to open it while it is still swollen. Do not push, do not stress the hematoma and do not press the cold compress too hard on the eye.
- If you wear glasses, you may need to put them away until the swelling subsides. Glasses can put pressure on the area around the nose and eye.
- Do not participate in sporting activities that could make things worse. Wait for the swelling to subside before returning to the field.
Step 3. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) can be particularly effective for pain relief. Aspirin also helps reduce pain, however it is a vasoconstrictor and affects the blood's ability to clot.
Step 4. Notice the signs of more serious injuries
A black eye is usually a simple bruise resulting from a blow to the head, nose, or eye or from facial surgery. In some cases, however, the black eye can be a sign of a more important problem. If you notice any of the following symptoms, call your doctor or go to the emergency room for immediate treatment:
- Blood in the sclera or iris. You should go to an eye doctor as soon as possible.
- Double or blurred vision
- Strong pain;
- Bruising around both eyes
- Bleeding from the nose or eye
- Inability to move the eye;
- The eye leaks fluid or the eyeball appears deformed;
- An object has pierced or may be inside the eyeball;
- If you take blood thinners or have hemophilia, go to the emergency room.
Part 2 of 3: Continue Treatment
Step 1. Apply a warm cloth soaked in water once the swelling has stopped
A warm washcloth or compress held gently against the bruise can stimulate circulation in the skin around the eye. This can cause blood collected under the eye to reabsorb and can make it look less dark.
Repeat this several times a day for a couple of days after suffering the damage
Step 2. Keep your head up
When you lie down, make sure your head is raised higher than the rest of your body. This position promotes drainage and can help reduce swelling.
Sleep with your head propped up on two pillows to keep it elevated
Step 3. Clean the area
Use water and a mild soap to gently clean any small cuts around the eyes. This will help prevent a bacterial infection, which would lead the black eye from a bruise to a more serious medical condition.
- Once the area is clean, blot with a clean towel and try to keep the hematoma clean and dry.
- Signs of infection include fever, redness, or pus-like discharge.
Part 3 of 3: Hide the Black Eye
Step 1. Wait for the swelling to go away
The makeup will not help when the eye is still swollen, and the application could also aggravate the situation and delay the time for healing. Be patient and give the hematoma a few days to reabsorb.
If you have wounds or lacerations around your eye, don't risk an infection by trying to mask with makeup. You just have to keep your black eye until you heal
Step 2. Use a primer to keep makeup in place
A primer will make makeup last longer and prevent it from settling into wrinkles and wrinkles around the eye.
Apply the primer where the hematoma is and where you plan to use the makeup. Gently dab with the ring finger, which is the weakest finger and is the least able to irritate the different parts of the eye
Step 3. Cancel the black eye color
Depending on the stage of healing, the eye may be red, black, purple, brown, green, or yellow. This shadow will be perceivable through the concealer and spoil the illusion, so you have to neutralize it by applying the opposite color, or the color that is elsewhere in the color wheel. A color corrector can guarantee this, or you can improvise with blush or eyeshadow.
- If the bruise is green, use red and vice versa;
- If the bruise is blue, use orange or salmon;
- If the bruise is yellow, try purple and vice versa.
Step 4. Apply the product to the area to be masked
Use your ring finger to gently pat the concealer around the eye, covering the areas to be corrected and beyond. Let it dry and apply another layer if necessary.
- Once the concealer has dried, apply foundation and makeup as you usually do, being careful to blend the edges of the concealer with the foundation.
- If you don't use a primer, you can replace it with a sprinkle of translucent powder to set the concealer.
Step 5. Make sure you take your attention away from your eye
Eyebrow pencil or mascara should be avoided until the eye is healed, as they draw attention to the area. Also, pulling and pressing on the eyelid can increase swelling.
- Get busy with a bright lipstick that draws people's attention to the lips instead of the eyes.
- Try a new hairstyle or take some risks with fashion. To make a black eye shine, try changing your hair color or wearing something with an intriguing print. If you've always wanted to do something crazy with your look, now is the time!
