Hickeys, also known as love bites, are a common result of passionate kisses and intimate moments. These colorful bruises appear when suction or light biting breaks small blood vessels beneath the skin, causing blood to pool and form a dark mark. While hickeys may be fun in the moment, they often come with a sense of embarrassment, especially when they show up in visible places like the neck or chest. The most common question people ask after noticing a hickey is, “How can I get rid of it?” In this article, we’ll explore various remedies and strategies how to get rid of hickey, reduce its visibility, and speed up the healing process.
What Is a Hickey?
A hickey occurs when blood vessels beneath the skin are broken due to suction or biting. This typically happens when someone places their lips or teeth on a sensitive area, causing small blood vessels (capillaries) to rupture. The blood that leaks from these vessels pools underneath the skin, creating the characteristic red, purple, or blue mark.
Hickeys can appear anywhere on the body, but they are most commonly found on areas with softer, more delicate skin, such as the neck, chest, inner arms, or even behind the ear. While they aren’t dangerous and will generally fade on their own, they can last for several days, leading people to search for ways to get rid of a hickey quickly.
How Long Does a Hickey Last?
The healing process of a hickey can vary depending on the severity of the bruise, the individual’s skin type, and their ability to heal. Generally, a hickey will last between 5 and 12 days. The stages of healing are as follows:
- Day 1-2: The hickey appears red or purple due to the pooling of fresh blood beneath the skin.
- Day 3-5: The bruise darkens, transitioning to a bluish or purple color, as the blood starts to break down.
- Day 6-12: The hickey turns yellow or green as the body absorbs the blood, eventually fading completely.
While there’s no instant cure, several methods can accelerate the healing process or make the hickey less noticeable, allowing it to fade faster or be concealed effectively.
How to Get Rid of a Hickey: Top Tips and Remedies
There are several methods available to speed up the healing process or reduce the visibility of a hickey. From ice packs to makeup, these tips can help you get rid of a hickey as quickly as possible.
1. Cold Compress: Reduce Swelling and Prevent Further Bruising
The first and most effective remedy to treat a hickey is applying a cold compress to the area immediately after getting it. Cold compresses work by constricting blood vessels, preventing further blood from pooling under the skin and reducing the overall size of the bruise.
How to Use a Cold Compress:
- Wrap ice cubes or a cold pack in a clean cloth (avoid direct contact with the skin to prevent frostbite).
- Apply the cold compress to the hickey for 10-15 minutes.
- Repeat this process every 2-3 hours within the first 24 hours after the hickey appears.
By applying a cold compress early on, you help minimize the severity of the bruise and reduce swelling, allowing the hickey to heal faster.
2. Warm Compress: Speed Up the Healing Process (After 48 Hours)
Once the first 24 hours have passed and the swelling has gone down, it’s time to switch to a warm compress. Applying heat promotes blood circulation to the area, which helps to break down the pooled blood and encourages the body to absorb it more quickly.
How to Use a Warm Compress:
- Soak a clean cloth in warm water or use a heating pad.
- Place the warm cloth or pad on the hickey for 10-15 minutes.
- Repeat this process 2-3 times a day after the first 48 hours.
A warm compress is especially useful once the hickey starts to fade and change color. It can speed up the healing process by promoting circulation and helping the body absorb the blood faster.
3. Gentle Massage: Increase Blood Flow and Distribute the Blood
Massage can be an effective way to speed up the healing of a hickey. When done gently, massaging the area can encourage blood circulation, helping the body break down the pooled blood and absorb it more efficiently.
How to Massage a Hickey:
- Use your fingers to apply gentle circular motions around the hickey.
- Be sure to apply light pressure — massaging too hard can worsen the bruise.
- Massage for 2-3 minutes, several times a day.
Massaging the area helps to disperse the blood that has collected beneath the skin, which can reduce the size and visibility of the hickey.
4. Aloe Vera: Soothe and Heal the Skin
Aloe vera is well-known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to a hickey, aloe vera gel can help reduce redness, calm irritation, and accelerate the healing process. It’s also great for sensitive skin, making it a popular choice for treating hickeys.
How to Use Aloe Vera:
- Apply fresh aloe vera gel directly to the hickey.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process 2-3 times a day for best results.
Aloe vera will not only soothe the skin but also encourage faster healing, making it an effective remedy to get rid of a hickey.
5. Vitamin K Cream: Help the Body Absorb the Blood
Vitamin K plays a crucial role in blood clotting and is essential for reducing the appearance of bruises. By applying a vitamin K cream to the hickey, you can promote the body’s ability to absorb the pooled blood, helping the bruise fade faster.
How to Use Vitamin K Cream:
- Apply a small amount of vitamin K cream to the hickey.
- Gently massage it in using circular motions.
- Apply 2-3 times a day for best results.
Vitamin K creams are widely available and can be an effective solution for getting rid of hickeys by helping the body’s natural healing process.
6. Arnica Gel: Reduce Inflammation and Swelling
Arnica is a plant that is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and bruising-healing properties. Arnica gel or cream can help reduce swelling, inflammation, and bruising caused by hickeys. It encourages circulation and helps the blood under the skin to break down faster.
How to Use Arnica Gel:
- Apply a thin layer of arnica gel to the hickey.
- Gently massage it into the skin.
- Repeat this process 2-3 times a day.
Arnica is an excellent choice for people who want to reduce the appearance of a hickey and speed up the healing process naturally.
7. Toothpaste: A Quick and Easy Remedy
Although it is a controversial remedy, some people swear by toothpaste to help get rid of a hickey. The idea is that the cooling effect of mint toothpaste helps reduce inflammation and stimulate blood circulation, which can aid in faster healing. However, this method doesn’t work for everyone and may cause irritation for those with sensitive skin.
How to Use Toothpaste:
- Apply a thin layer of white toothpaste (avoid gel toothpaste) directly to the hickey.
- Leave it on for 5-10 minutes.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water.
If you try this method, be sure to test the toothpaste on a small area of skin first to ensure it doesn’t irritate or cause redness.
8. Banana Peel: A Natural Alternative for Faster Healing
Banana peels contain a variety of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that are beneficial for the skin. The potassium in banana peels can help reduce swelling, while other compounds promote the healing of bruises and irritated skin.
How to Use a Banana Peel:
- Cut a small piece of banana peel.
- Place the inside of the peel against the hickey and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the peel and wash the area with warm water.
- Repeat the process 2-3 times a day.
Banana peels are a natural and inexpensive way to reduce inflammation and promote healing, making them a great remedy to try if you want to get rid of a hickey quickly.
9. Cover It Up with Makeup
If you need to hide a hickey quickly, makeup can provide a fast and effective solution. By using a combination of color-correcting products and full-coverage foundation, you can mask the hickey and make it virtually invisible.
How to Conceal a Hickey with Makeup:
- Apply a green color corrector to neutralize the red or purple tones in the hickey.
- Use a full-coverage foundation that matches your skin tone over the area.
- Finish with a layer of setting powder to ensure the makeup stays in place.
Makeup can provide a temporary solution for those who need to conceal a hickey for an event, meeting, or any situation where visibility is an issue.
10. Time and Patience
Sometimes, the best remedy for a hickey is simply to give it time. While there are various remedies to speed up the healing process, it’s important to remember that hickeys are natural bruises, and they will fade with time. If none of the remedies work or if you’re unable to try them right away, be patient and let your body heal on its own.
Conclusion
Getting rid of a hickey is not a one-size-fits-all process, and there’s no magic solution to make it disappear overnight. However, there are several effective methods to speed up the healing process, reduce swelling, and make the hickey less noticeable. By using cold compresses, warm compresses, aloe vera, vitamin K cream, arnica gel, and other remedies, you can help your body heal faster and diminish the appearance of the bruise.
Remember that hickeys are temporary, and with patience, they will eventually fade. If you need to cover a hickey up for a day or two, makeup can also provide a quick solution. Whether you’re looking to treat a hickey quickly or simply want to hide it, there are plenty of options available to help you get rid of a hickey and enjoy your day without worrying about that unwanted mark.
