Hickeys, also known as love bites or kiss marks, are small bruises caused by someone sucking or biting your skin too hard, typically during passionate moments. They might seem harmless, but many people feel embarrassed or self-conscious about them. Fortunately, there are some tried and true methods to help you get rid of a hickey quickly, or at least speed up the healing process. In this guide, we’ll explore natural remedies and expert tips that can help you cover up or heal a hickey effectively.
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Cold Compress: The First Step to Reduce a Hickey
One of the most effective ways to treat a hickey right after it appears is by applying a cold compress. Hickeys are essentially bruises, meaning blood has collected under your skin due to broken capillaries. The cold helps constrict those blood vessels, limiting the spread of the bruise.
Here’s how to do it:
- Use a cold spoon or ice pack: If you have ice cubes handy, wrap them in a cloth and gently press it on the hickey for 10-15 minutes. If you don’t have ice, a cold metal spoon left in the freezer for a few minutes will work just as well.
- Repeat several times a day: The sooner you start applying the cold compress, the better. Try to do it within the first 24-48 hours after noticing the hickey. This method can help prevent the bruise from getting worse and minimize swelling.
While this remedy won’t make the hickey disappear instantly, it can help reduce its size and darkness.
Warm Compress: Accelerating Healing After the First 48 Hours
Once the hickey has set in, usually after 48 hours, it’s time to switch from cold to warm. A warm compress can increase blood flow to the area, which helps your body break down and reabsorb the blood that’s been trapped under your skin.
Here’s what to do:
- Use a warm cloth or heating pad: Soak a washcloth in warm water and wring out the excess, then gently press it onto the hickey for about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a heating pad if you prefer.
- Repeat several times a day: Do this 2-3 times daily to boost circulation and speed up the healing process. Just make sure the compress isn’t too hot, as excessive heat can irritate the skin and potentially worsen the mark.
This method helps your body flush out the trapped blood and reduces the appearance of the hickey over time.
Gentle Massaging to Break Up the Blood
Massaging the area of the hickey can help break up the clotted blood and encourage circulation, helping the mark fade faster. Here’s how you can try this at home:
- Use your fingers to gently rub the area: Apply light pressure and move your fingers in circular motions for about 5-10 minutes. You don’t want to be too aggressive, as that could make the bruise worse.
- Repeat daily: Over time, this can help disperse the blood and reduce the visible bruise. If you have a roller or even the edge of a coin, you can use that as well to massage the area, but again, be gentle.
Massaging works best after the first couple of days when the bruise is no longer fresh, and it won’t hurt to combine this method with other treatments like cold or warm compresses.
Aloe Vera: A Natural Soothing Remedy
Aloe vera is a well-known remedy for soothing the skin and reducing inflammation. It can also help with hickeys due to its healing properties.
- Apply aloe vera gel to the hickey: You can either use fresh aloe vera from the plant or purchase aloe vera gel from a store. Gently rub it on the affected area a couple of times per day.
- Leave it on for about 10-15 minutes: Let the gel absorb into your skin and help the healing process.
Aloe vera not only hydrates but also reduces swelling, making it a great option to try in conjunction with other remedies.
Vitamin K Cream: Speed Up Healing
Vitamin K is known for its ability to help your body reabsorb pooled blood, making it a good option for healing bruises, including hickeys.
- Apply a vitamin K cream: You can find vitamin K creams at most drugstores or online. Rub the cream gently onto the hickey once or twice a day.
- Eat foods rich in vitamin K: Adding foods like kale, spinach, and broccoli to your diet may also help support the healing process.
While this isn’t an overnight fix, using vitamin K cream or incorporating the vitamin into your diet can help reduce the time it takes for your hickey to disappear.
Toothpaste: A Popular Home Remedy
Believe it or not, toothpaste is a popular home remedy for hickeys, although there’s not much scientific evidence to back it up. The theory is that the toothpaste helps stimulate blood flow, speeding up the healing process.
- Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the hickey: Gently rub a thin layer of toothpaste over the bruise and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before wiping it off with a damp cloth.
- Use sparingly: Be careful not to use too much toothpaste or leave it on for too long, as it can irritate sensitive skin.
Although it’s a hit-or-miss remedy, some people swear by it, so it might be worth trying if you’re in a pinch.
Concealing the Hickey with Makeup
If all else fails and you need a quick fix, makeup can come to the rescue. Here’s how you can cover up a hickey with makeup:
- Use a color-correcting concealer: Apply a green or yellow-based concealer to neutralize the redness of the hickey, then layer a skin-tone concealer on top to blend it in.
- Set with powder: Use a setting powder to keep the concealer in place throughout the day.
This method is perfect if you’re heading out and need to hide the hickey while it heals naturally.
Getting rid of a hickey isn’t always instant, but with the right methods, you can reduce its appearance and speed up the healing process. From cold and warm compresses to natural remedies like aloe vera and vitamin K, there are many options to help your skin recover. If you’re in a rush, concealing the hickey with makeup can be a quick solution. However, remember that time is often the best healer, and most hickeys will fade on their own within a week or two.
