Let’s look at How To Get Rid Of A Black Eye, Fast, Overnight, Instantly, heal a Black Eye Quick and get rid of them using home remedies. We will also take a look at a how to cover up a black eye, black eye healing stages, pictures, what to do, heal and how long does a black eye last.
Always remember healing a black eye will depend on what caused it in the first place or how hard the hit was. Continue reading below on how to get rid of a black eye overnight quickly and fast.
Always remember to seek medical advice in case of severe injuries or in cases where the black eye won’t go away even after using home remedies.
Severe swollen red eyes with deep cuts should also be checked by a doctor to avoid further damages or long term dents. Remember do not administer home remedies in such cases have them treated by a doctor. The following home remedies should only be used when you don’t have serious injuries like deep cuts.
How to Get Rid of a Black Eye Fast at Home
When seeking how to get rid of a black eye, the following remedies are applicable at different stages of a black eye.
1. Cold Compress
This is the number one first aid for how to get rid of a black eye fast. You should do this as soon as you get a black eye. The first thing you need to do is apply an ice pack to the affected area as soon as possible. Ice will constrict the blood vessels and reduce the inflammation and internal bleeding. This fastens the healing process of a black eye.
Requirements:
- Ice cubes
- A clean piece of cloth
- A spoon
What to do:
- Scoop one or two ice cubes using a spoon.
- Place them on a clean piece of cloth.
- Wrap them with the cloth and tie a knot so that they do not fall off.
- Press the ice cubes in the cloth against the affected area for 10 minutes.
- Remove the ice cubes.
- Repeat this many times within the first 4 hours of getting the black eye.
2. Warm Compress
In your quest for how to get rid of a black eye you should use a warm compress after 48 hours from the time of injury. Warm compress increases blood flow by dilating blood vessels. This is ideal because it enhances the supply of nutrients needed for healing. It also soothes the pain caused by the black eye.
Requirements:
- A clean lint-free piece of cloth
- Warm water
- A basin
What to do:
- Dip a clean lint-free piece of cloth in warm water
- Wring it
- Place the warm cloth directly on the affected area until the cloth cools.
- Repeat this process as often as possible throughout the day.
3. Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps in thickening the walls of blood vessels hence quickening the healing process of a black eye. You need to eat food rich in vitamin C.
What to eat:
- Citrus fruits like lemon, tangerine, and orange
- Red pepper
- Guavas
- Mangoes
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Potatoes
- Tomatoes
4. Marigold
It is capable of reducing the swelling caused by black eye. It is a fast solution to how to get rid of a black eye. It also has antibacterial properties hence it can reduce the risk of an infection.
Requirements:
- Calendula flowers
- A clean piece of cloth
- Hot water
- A cup
- A sieve
- A Cotton ball
What to do:
- Wash the fresh marigold flowers
- Pour hot water in a cup
- Put the flowers in the hot water
- Let them steep for 10 minutes
- Sieve off the flowers to separate them from the solution
- Let the solution cool
- Soak a cotton ball with the solution
- Apply the solution on your black eye using the cotton ball
- Repeat the process once twice a day until the black eye heals
5. Pineapple
Pineapples are rich in antioxidants that fight infections and speeds up the healing process of a black eye.
Requirements:
- Pineapple
- Natural Honey
- Water
- Jug
- Blender
- A clean piece of cloth
- Knife
- A cotton ball
What to do:
- Peel off the back of the pineapple and slice it into small pieces and remove the tough middle part.
- Put the pieces in a blender
- Add a few teaspoons of natural honey.
- Blend them together into juice
- Apply the juice on the black eye using a clean piece of cotton ball
- Let it settle on the affected area and dry up.
- Rinse off the juice with warm water
- Pat dry the black eye dry with a clean piece of cloth
- Repeat the above procedure daily for a week
- Alternatively drink this juice
6. Papaya
Enzyme papain found in papaya is an anti-inflammatory agent. It also hastens the healing process.
Requirements:
- Papaya
- Natural Honey
- Water
- Jug
- Blender
- A clean piece of cloth
- Knife
- A cotton ball
What to do:
- Peel off the back of the papaya and cut into half to remove the seeds
- Slice it and put it inside a blender
- Add a few teaspoons of natural honey.
- Blend them together into juice
- Apply the juice on the black eye using a clean piece of cotton ball
- Let it settle on the affected area and dry up.
- Rinse off the juice with warm water
- Pat dry the affected area with a clean piece of cloth
- Repeat the above procedure daily for a week
- Alternatively drink this juice. It is a more enjoyable solution to how to get rid of a black eye. Don’t you think so?
7. Witch Hazel Oil
Witch hazel will soothe the pain and fasten healing process.
- Witch Hazel oil
- Water
- A clean piece of cloth
- A cotton ball
What to do:
- Ensure that the affected area is clean
- Place 2-3 drops of witch hazel on a clean cotton ball
- Directly apply the witch hazel on the affected area in a circular motion for 2 minutes using the cotton ball
- Let the oil sink into the skin
- Repeat this process once a day for a week
8. Olive Oil
Olive oil is anti-inflammatory agent. It soothes the black eye. It is also an anti-oxidant that prevents infection.it is one of the efficient essential oils to use when seeking solutions on how to get rid of a black eye.
Requirements:
- Olive oil
- A Cotton Ball
- A clean piece of cloth
- Clean water
What to do:
- Ensure the affected area is clean and dry
- Soak a cotton ball with olive oil
- Apply olive oil on the black eye area using the cotton ball
- Let the oil stay on your skin over night
- Wash it off when you wake up in the morning.
- Repeat this process every night until you see a change
9. Potato
Potato is an anti-inflammatory agent. It reduces the swelling and relives pain caused by the black eye. Potato will also remove the dark circles under eye and lighten the skin after healing. It is an easily available solution to how to get rid of a black eye.
Requirements:
- A potato
- A knife
- A grater
- A clean piece of cloth
- Clean water
What to do:
- Wash the back cover of the potato using plenty of running water
- Peel off the back of the back of the potato
- Wash it again and dry it using a clean piece of cloth
- Grate the potato
- Place the grated potato shavings on a clean piece of cloth and tie it up firmly
- Place clean piece of cloth with potato juice dripping out of it over the affected area
- Let the juice sink into the skin and dry up over the affected area
- Wash it off with warm water
- Pat the area dry with clean piece of cloth.
- Repeat the process as many times as you wish until your black eye heals.
10. Comfrey Roots
Comfrey roots have anti-inflammatory properties making them a very effective solution to how to get rid of a black eye.
Requirements:
- Comfrey roots
- A Pestle & a mortar
- A Knife
- Clean water
- A clean piece of cloth
What to do:
- Wash comfrey roots clean to remove any soil on them
- Place them in the mortar
- Pound with a pestle to form a paste
- Apply the paste on the black eye
- Let it settle for 10 minutes
- Rinse it off with warm water then do a final rinse with cold water
- Dry up the black eye with a clean piece of cloth
- You can also chose to boil the paste in water and use the water to rinse the black eye and let the solution dry on it before washing it off.
- Repeat this process twice a day for a week.
11. Cucumber
Cucumbers contract tissues around the black eye and make the skin around your eyes tight and reduce the puffiness. It also helps to conceal the dark circles around the eye.
Requirements:
- Cucumber
- Ice cubes
- A jug
- A knife
- Clean water
- A clean piece of cloth
What to do:
- Wash the back cover of the cucumber using plenty of running water
- Cut the cucumber into thick slices
- Place several ice cubes in a jug
- Fully immerse the cucumber slices into the ice cubes
- Ensure the affected area is clean
- Remove the cucumber slices from the jug of ice cubes after 5 minutes
- Lie down with your head elevated and close your eyes
- Place a slice of the chilled cucumber over your black eye until it gets warm.
- Repeat the process as many times as you wish until you feel better
- Your eyes will relax and the swelling will reduce
- Do not let the cucumber juices enter your eyes
- If they do splash your eyes with plenty of water
12. Chilled Tea Bags
Tea bags have got anti-inflammatory agents which are ideal for decreasing the size of the inflammation on a black eye. If you do not have cucumbers, then used teabags are an alternative solution for how to get rid of a black eye.
Requirements:
- Used tea bags
- Ice cubes
- A jug
- Clean water
- A clean piece of cloth
What to do:
- Place several ice cubes in a jug
- Fully immerse used teabags into the ice cubes
- Gently wash the black eye with clean water and pat it dry using a clean piece of cloth
- Remove the used tea bags from the jug of ice cubes after 5 minutes
- Lie down with your head elevated and close your eyes
- Place the cold used tea bag over your black eye until it gets warm.
- Repeat the process until you feel better
- Your eyes will relax and the inflammation will reduce
- Do not let the content of the used tea bags enter your eyes
- If it does splash your eyes with plenty of water
13. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil soothes the pain caused by black eye. It is also a natural anti bacteria agent that prevents infection. Use organic, virgin, un-processed coconut oil. Use it overnight.
Requirements:
- Coconut oil
- A Cotton Ball
What to do:
- Ensure the affected area is clean and dry
- Soak a cotton ball with coconut oil
- Apply coconut oil on the affected area using the cotton ball
- Let it stay overnight on your skin.
- Repeat this process every night until you see a change
14. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an anti-oxidant and it also has anti-inflammatory properties. It is able to reduce the sizes inflammation of a black eye. Tea tree oil can be harsh to delicate skin, so ensure that you dilute it with essential oils like olive oil. Use tea tree oil overnight.
Requirements:
- Tea tree oil
- Olive Oil
- A Cotton Ball
- Clean water
- A clean piece of cloth
What to do:
- Wash the black eye properly using clean running water and dry it with it a clean piece of cloth
- Pour a little amount of tea tree oil in a cup and mix it with olive oil to reduce its harshness on your skin.
- Soak a cotton ball with the mixture of tea tree oil and olive oil.
- Gently apply the oil mixture using the cotton ball on the black eye.
- Let the oil mixture settle overnight
- Wash it off in the morning when you wake up
- And dry with a clean piece of cloth.
- Repeat this process every night before you go to sleep.
15. Vitamin K
Vitamin K is an antioxidants and it also improve blood circulation by repairing damaged capillaries. Eat food that is rich in Vitamin K if you want an answer to how to get rid of a black eye.
What to eat:
- Dark leafy greens like kale, dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens, Swiss chard and lettuce
- Spring onions
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli
- Chili powder
- Asparagus
- Cabbage
- Cucumber
- Prunes
16. Cayenne Pepper
A compound called capsaicin found in cayenne pepper is able to sooth pain and fades the black circles under eye.
Requirements:
- Cayenne pepper
- Vaseline
- Palette
- Water
- An antibacterial soap
- A clean piece cloth
What to do:
- Add cayenne pepper with Vaseline on a palette and mix well.
- Wash your hands clean using water and antibacterial soap
- Pat them dry with a clean piece of cloth
- Use your fingers to gently apply the mixture of cayenne paper and Vaseline on the black eye.
- Ensure the mixture does not get into your eye
- Let the mixture settle on the black eye for 30 minutes
- Wet a cotton ball and use it to wipe off the mixture
- Repeat this process 2 times in a day
17. Egg White
The white part of an egg is capable of tightening the skin around the eye and reduces inflammation. Witch hazel is mixed with the egg white as a supplement because it also helps in tightening the skin around the eye.
Requirements:
- An Egg
- A bowl
- Witch hazel
- Clean water
- A clean piece of cloth
What to do:
- Break an egg as you collect the content into a bowl
- Carefully separate the white part of the eggs from yolks
- Beat the white part of the eggs until it turns into a stiff consistency
- Add a few witch hazel to it and mix
- Gently wash the affected area with clean water and pat them dry using a clean piece of cloth
- Apply the mixture on the black eye directly
- Let it settle for 30 minutes and dry up
- Rinse it off with plenty of water
- Repeat this process 3 times a day.
- Alternatively you can also boil the eggs and eat them every morning for breakfast since the white part of an egg is rich in vitamin E.
According to Mayo Clinic, “Most black eye injuries aren’t serious. The discoloration is caused by bleeding under the skin around the eye. To take care of a black eye: Gently apply a cold pack or a cloth filled with ice to the area around your eye. Don’t press on your eye. Repeat several times a day for one to two days. Seek medical care immediately if you have vision problems, severe pain, or bleeding in your eye or from your nose”
Black Eye Healing Stages
Black eye is a type of a bruise but around the eye. A bruise undergoes several colour changes before it heals. You can know the healing stages of your black eye by observing its colour changes.
The change of colour occurs gradually. In some cases the changes of colour may not occur if hematoma forms or there are calcium deposits around the affected area.
Hematoma is a condition whereby the blood leaked beneath the surface of the skin is blocked from flowing out and the black eye becomes more inflamed and painful. You need to see a doctor if this happens to you.
1. Red/Pink
A fresh black eye is red in colour because of the pool of blood that contains iron-rich oxygenated hemoglobin. Its surrounding is very tender and inflamed.
2. Dark blue/ Purple
Between the second and the fifth day, the bruise on the eye will be dark blue or purple and may even appear black hence the name black eye. This is caused by the change in the colour of hemoglobin due to low supply of oxygen to the affected area as a result of the inflammation.
3. Green
On the sixth day, the hemoglobin will be biochemically broken down and the presence of high levels of biliverdin is the course of the green colour. It will last up to the seventh day.
4. Yellow/Brown
This is the final stage of the healing process. The bruise on your eye caused by black eye turns brown or yellow due to the presence of large quantity of bilirubin. It occurs on the eight day until the day the bruise will completely heal and the skin colour is restored.
How to Cover Up a Black Eye
You may not have a choice on how to get rid of a black eye instantly, especially when you need to go out to school, work or any public place and you don’t want people to be all up in your business. The best way to cover up a black eye and black circles under eye before it heals is using black eye concealer cosmetic bought from a chemist store.
CAUTION: Do not use the concealer on afresh black eye or if you have stitches.
Requirements:
- Concealer that is a bit lighter than your skin tone.
- Concealer brush
- Soft-bristle eye-shadow
- A pale green matte eye-shadow
- Pink/tan/brown flesh-colored eye shadow
- Contour palette
- bronzer
What to do:
- Put a drop of concealer in a palette.
- Swipe the concealer brush on the green eye shadow so that you collect a little green colour on the brush
- Blend this green colour with the concealer using the concealer brush.
- The final blend should have a very faint tint of green(Green colour will correct the redness of the skin)
- Other colours like pink, tan or brown can also be used to blend the concealer to a desirable shade that matches the skin tone around your black eye.
- If your bruise is yellow use colour pink eye shadow to cancel out colour yellow.
- Gently apply the blend over the affected area using the eye shadow brush.
- Ensure it hides the dark circles around the eye perfectly
- Do the same to the other eye even if it is not affected so that they match and look natural.
- Now you can apply your usual make up all over your face in order to blend with the concealer and give you perfect overall look.
- Finally add a bronzer around the edges of the area where you applied the concealer.
How Long does a Black Eye Last?
If there is no infection a normal black eye takes 2 weeks so you really need to find ways of how to get rid of a black eye. The black circles under the eye will fade faster though. If your black eye lasts longer than this you need to see a doctor.
According to NHS, “After a few days, the swelling around your eye will start to go down and the bruise will turn brownish-yellow before eventually fading. Like any other bruise, a black eye will usually take about a week or two to heal completely.”
Treatment
Unless there is an infection or skull fracture, your doctor will only prescribe over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen. Avoid aspirin because it may increase the bleeding.
According to NHS, “Painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can be used to help relieve pain. Avoid using aspirin (unless your doctor advises you to take it) because it can make bleeding worse. Children under 16 should never be given aspirin”
Here is a video on how to get rid of a black eye at home: