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How To Erase A Black Eye

It's never a good look turning up to work on Monday looking like this. Image via Shutterstock.

COOL IT!

Apply a cold compress to slow bloodflow and curb swelling. Grab a bag of cold (not frozen) peas or a cold, damp washcloth. Hold the compress to your eye for five minutes, break for 20 minutes and repeat until swelling stops. Use the compress for a five-minute session three or four times a day.

POP THE CAP
For pain relief in pill form, stick to paracetamol. Avoid anti-inflammatories, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, for the first 24 hours. They could thin your blood, resulting in more swelling.

PUT GRAVITY TO WORK
The black and blue happens because fluid doesn’t drain properly. Put an extra pillow under your head at night. The elevation eases swelling and prevents blood from pooling around your eye socket.

TURN UP THE HEAT
After 48 hours, switch to a warm, moist compress. Heat increases circulation, drawing white blood cells to the site to help repair tissue. Apply the compress, 10 minutes at a time, as often as you want.

PUT YOUR FINGER ON IT
Massage around the bruise – very gently – with your fingertips. This can reduce swelling by draining fluid and increasing circulation.

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