Toothpaste for Black Eye Relief: 5 Effective Ways to Use

Introduction

A black eye can be an unpleasant, embarrassing issue that leaves the skin around your eye bruised, often with red, purple, or black discoloration. Finding quick and effective ways to reduce the bruising and inflammation associated with a black eye is usually the top concern.

You may have heard that using toothpaste on a black eye can help accelerate healing. But does toothpaste work? And what are the most effective ways to use toothpaste for black eyes that can provide you with instant relief?

Table of Contents

This article provides a factual look at 5 safe methods for using toothpaste that may help provide relief from the discomfort of a black eye. However, please note that there is limited scientific evidence regarding these home remedies. It’s critical to first understand what causes black eyes and when to seek emergency medical care for more serious eye injuries.

Do read the People Also Ask (FAQs) about this topic.

Does Toothpaste Help a Black Eye?

Toothpaste is a common household item that has been used in various home remedies, including the treatment of black eyes. The idea behind this is that certain ingredients in toothpaste, such as baking soda and triclosan, may have properties that could potentially reduce swelling and accelerate the healing process.

However, it’s important to note that while toothpaste may provide temporary relief, there is no scientific evidence supporting this claim for treating black eye. It’s always best to consult a healthcare professional if you have one. They can provide appropriate treatment and advice to ensure proper healing and prevent complications.

What Causes a Black Eye?

A black eye is medically known as a periorbital hematoma, – essentially a bruise around the eye region from damaged capillaries and blood vessels leaking blood near the surface of the skin. Common causes of a black eye include:

Direct blows or trauma to the eye area from an object, sports impacts, fights, falls, abuse, etc. This can damage eye blood vessels.
Injuries to the nose or skull end up placing pressure on the delicate skin and vessels surrounding the eye socket.
Certain medical conditions like bleeding disorders allow blood vessels to rupture easily.
Nosebleeds that cause blood to seep towards the region under the eye.

5 Effective Ways to Use Toothpaste for Black Eye Relief

Now that we’ve covered some basics about black eyes, here are 5 methods for how toothpaste may be used to aid relief and healing:

Apply a Thick Toothpaste Poultice
Make a Cold Toothpaste Compress
Mix a Soothing Minty Paste
Make a Medicinal Herbal Paste
Apply a Light Toothpaste Lotion

Method 1: Apply a Thick Toothpaste Poultice

One of the most direct ways to use toothpaste for a black eye is to apply a poultice— essentially a thick paste that covers and protects the injured area. To make a basic toothpaste poultice:

What You Need:

White non-gel toothpaste
Clean bandage or gauze

Steps:

Wash your hands thoroughly before starting.
Apply a roughly 1⁄4 inch or 1⁄2 cm layer of white toothpaste directly over the bruised/discolored area around the eye.
Cover with a clean bandage or gauze and leave on for 20-30 minutes.
Rinse clean with lukewarm water. Be very gentle around the injured eye.
Repeat this poultice process 2-3 times daily until the black eye has healed. The toothpaste does not need to stay on overnight.

The menthol and other ingredients in basic white toothpaste may help restrict blood vessels, reducing swelling and purplish discoloration. Keeping the injured area covered with a toothpaste poultice can also prevent additional trauma. Just take care not to get any toothpaste directly in the eye.

Method 2: Make a Cold Toothpaste Compress

Applying something cold is one of the most common and effective ways to provide relief for fresh bruises and black eyes. The cold temperature constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the area for less inflammation and discoloration.

Here is one simple way to make a handy toothpaste ice pack for your black eye:

What You Need:

Toothpaste (white non-gel preferred)
Small paper cup or foil
Spoon

Steps:

Add 2-3 spoonful’s of toothpaste into a small cup or foil-lined container.
Carefully add a few small ice cubes on top of the toothpaste, enough to make it very cold but not fully frozen.
Once the toothpaste mixture is very cold, apply directly to the skin around the injured eye.
Hold the compress gently in place for about 15-20 minutes, adding more ice as needed. The menthol in toothpaste may enhance the cooling sensation.
After each use, clean your skin and repeat as needed for 24-48 hours.

The vasoconstriction from cold can minimize inflammation in those early critical hours after an injury occurs. Just don’t apply anything frozen directly to bare skin, and see a doctor if pain/swelling worsens or vision changes develop.

Method 3: Mix a Soothing Minty Paste

The menthol compounds in toothpaste might temporarily relieve pain, itching, and discomfort around a bruised, inflamed black eye. Making a minty DIY treatment paste is easy:

What You Need:

Toothpaste (gel okay for this method)
Crushed mint leaves/dried mint/mint essential oil
Bowl & spoon

Steps:

Add about 2 spoonful’s of any type of toothpaste to a small bowl.
Crush a small handful of fresh mint leaves OR add 1⁄2 teaspoon dried mint flakes OR 2-4 drops of mint oil.
Mix with a spoon until a smooth, uniform paste forms.
Clean and gently dab paste all around the injured eye area, avoiding direct contact with the eye itself.
Let the paste sit for 5-10 minutes until tingling subsides, then rinse clean.
Repeat 2-3 times daily as needed for pain/swelling relief.

The natural compounds in mint may temporarily numb and soothe irritated skin in combination with the minty ingredients already in toothpaste. This could reduce discomfort from a tender black eye. Just keep paste away from the direct eye area with any open wounds.

Method 4: Make a Medicinal Herbal Paste

Certain gentle herbs have natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant compounds that may help speed up healing of damaged skin tissue. Creating an herbal toothpaste paste takes advantage of these natural plant benefits:

What You Need:

Toothpaste (any type)
1 teaspoon honey OR aloe vera gel
1 teaspoon brewed black tea OR green tea
5-10 crushed basil leaves OR rosemary leaves

Steps:

Add toothpaste, honey/aloe vera, and brewed tea to a small bowl.
Crush the fresh herbs of your choice and mix all ingredients together thoroughly.
The clean facial skin around the injured eye is very gentle.
Use a clean cotton pad or fingers to dab herbal paste lightly onto bruised areas around the eye. Avoid direct eye contact.
Leave paste on for 5-10 minutes then rinse clean.
Repeat 2-3 times daily to help damaged skin and vessels heal.

Plant compounds like antioxidants in the tea and anti-inflammatories from the herbs may assist your body’s natural healing process. The aloe vera also creates a protective barrier for fragile skin near the black eye.

Method 5: Apply a Light Toothpaste Lotion

For a less concentrated treatment option, you can mix toothpaste into a simple lotion or liquid wash to lightly dab over a closed black eye. Make your own by:

What You Need:

1 teaspoon toothpaste
1 tablespoon carrier oil like coconut, olive or jojoba oil
Small bowl & spoon
Clean cloth or cotton swab

Steps:

Add carrier oil of choice to a small bowl with 1 teaspoon of any toothpaste.
Mix well until smooth and uniform.
Apply a very small amount of the toothpaste lotion lightly around (not directly on) the injured black eye using a clean cloth or cotton swab.
Let sit for 5 minutes then gently rinse away completely with cool water.
Repeat 1-2 times daily to help soothe the delicate skin surrounding the bruised eye area.

The toothpaste ingredients diluted in a natural oil create a gentle supportive lotion to minimize inflammation and sensitivity from a black eye. Doing this also avoids leaving thick toothpaste residue on the skin.

When Will a Black Eye Heal?

With proper first aid care and no complications, minor bruising and discoloration from a black eye typically fade within 1-2 weeks. Using conservative home treatments like cool compresses can help minimize swelling in the first day or two. Mild toothpaste remedies may support faster healing.

However, if vision changes, severe pain, nausea, or other troubling symptoms develop after an eye injury, urgent medical care is vital. Using random home remedies should never replace seeing a doctor.

When to Stop Toothpaste Treatments

While toothpaste may have some benefits for aiding black eye recovery, take care with its use and stop immediately if any complications develop:

Discontinue use if signs of infection emerge like worsening pain, yellow/green discharge or pus. Seek medical treatment for an eye infection.
Stop using if the thin skin around the eye seems extensively damaged or isn’t healing within 2 weeks. Consult a doctor to assess if further treatment is required.
Stop using toothpaste remedies if you develop any sudden vision impairment, eye misalignment, or severe trauma symptoms. Seek emergency medical attention in these situations.
Cease use if skin irritation from ingredients develops and switch to plain aloe vera gel and cold compresses instead.
Do not use toothpaste treatments for black eyes on children as eye injuries in kids should be evaluated by a pediatrician.

Conclusion

Used gently and conservatively, basic over-the-counter toothpaste may provide some relief for minor bruising, swelling and inflammation from a basic black eye. Combining toothpaste with cooling, protective compresses or skin-soothing herbs and carrier oils could aid the body’s natural healing ability.

However, toothpaste contains chemicals that should never be used directly on an open wound or the eye itself. Seeking emergency medical attention for trauma symptoms is critical, as treating a serious eye injury should not be delayed. Not allowing proper medical assessment and treatment can result in loss of vision.

With moderate black eye injuries with no other complications, gentle toothpaste home remedies could supplement healing. But be very careful, stop use at any signs of complications, and consult a doctor if you have any concerns when self-treating any type of eye trauma. Using toothpaste should never take the place of professional medical care, especially with eye health at stake.