Black eyes...

[WolverineGuy]

You could always try using foundation and powder...that's what us theatre geeks do...

 

...well, not when we're off stage, but it does work if you know what you're doing.

[White Warlock]

the 'black eyes' mentioned in that article are in reference to the darkness associated with having insufficient sleep and have nothing to do with injury-induced black eyes.

 

It is actually 'not' recommended that you 'rub' or 'massage' the area, as you may aggravate unhealed blood vessels that may have been injured in that area. The area below the eyes acts somewhat like a reservior, for those rainy seasons, and it is likely the blood flowed to under the eyes from your nose injury. Still, it is better to be safe than sorry and to just let your body heal itself.

 

Applying cold compresses only really helps within the first 24 hours of the injury. After that and it's pretty much just interfering with blood flow, which... in turn, interferes with having the 'excess' blood absorbed and the mark to go away. However, if you are also dealing with inflammation in that area, periodic 15 minute applications of warm-wet cloth on the inflamed area is recommended.

 

For best results, and to expedite the disappearance of the black eyes, resting on your back, with your head facing up, is recommended. It is also recommended that if you are applying the cold compresses, you do so while laying down, facing up. But, don't fall asleep with ice on your body, or you may cause damage to your eyes, or surrounding tissues. Just 15 minutes is sufficient. More, and you're 'interfering' with your body's own self-healing mechanisms.

 

Also, if you are dealing with a lot of swelling, laying down is not recommended. In short, you are having to perform a balancing act on the healing process between that of redirecting the accumulated blood out of the skin-reservoir under your eyes and keeping the inflammation down by decreasing the blood pressure to that area. It's more important to keep the inflammation down.

 

Personally, i find 100% aloe vera gels (no preservatives or additives) to be fantastic at healing skin and 'under-the-skin' injuries. And, it is absolutely incredible for burns. Periodically placing a cotton cloth, soaked in aloe vera, on the injury will not only make the area feel better, but help out your complexion (do it while laying down, as i indicated above). I've never actually tried it with a black eye, but... who knows.