A hickey is a physical reminder of an intimate moment, but let’s face it: sometimes, you might find yourself wishing it wasn’t so visible, especially if it appears at the wrong time. Whether it's the result of a passionate kiss or a playful love bite, hickeys can be an unexpected and unwanted mark on your skin.
If you’ve ever wondered how to get rid of a hickey fast, you’re not alone. Whether you have an important meeting, a special event, or just want to avoid unnecessary attention, learning how to heal a hickey quickly can come in handy. In this article, we’ll explore how to get rid of a hickey fast, discuss the science behind it, and share practical remedies that can help speed up the healing process.
What is a Hickey?
Before jumping into how to get rid of a hickey quickly, it’s important to understand what a hickey actually is. A hickey, also called a love bite or a kiss mark, occurs when suction or light biting causes tiny blood vessels under the skin to burst. This leads to blood pooling under the skin, which forms a bruise. While generally harmless, the appearance of a hickey can vary, ranging from a small, subtle mark to a large and dark bruise.
Hickeys are common on soft, sensitive areas like the neck, chest, and arms. They usually take a few days to heal, but with the right techniques, you can significantly speed up the healing process.
How Long Does a Hickey Last?
Typically, a hickey lasts anywhere between 5 to 12 days. It goes through different stages during its healing process, starting as a red or pink mark and turning darker shades of purple, blue, and yellow as it heals. While most hickeys fade naturally within a week or so, there are things you can do to speed up the process.
If you need to get rid of a hickey fast, the following remedies and tips can help reduce its appearance and make it heal faster.
1. Apply a Cold Compress (First 24 Hours)
When you first get a hickey, applying a cold compress can help reduce swelling and minimize the size of the bruise. Cold constricts blood vessels, which helps stop blood from pooling in the area, potentially preventing a more severe bruise.
How to do it:
- Wrap some ice cubes in a cloth or use a cold pack.
- Apply the cold compress to the hickey for about 10-15 minutes, several times a day, during the first 24 hours after getting the hickey.
- Don’t apply ice directly to the skin to avoid frostbite or irritation.
Why it works: The cold helps reduce inflammation and limits further blood from accumulating, which is key in controlling the severity of the hickey.
2. Switch to a Warm Compress (After 48 Hours)
After the first 24-48 hours, it’s time to switch to a warm compress. Applying heat to the area can increase blood circulation, helping to break down and absorb the pooled blood under your skin more quickly.
How to do it:
- Use a warm (not hot) towel or a heating pad.
- Apply the compress to the hickey for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times a day.
- If you don’t have a heating pad, you can simply run warm water over a cloth and apply it to the area.
Why it works: The heat increases blood flow to the area, encouraging the body to reabsorb the trapped blood and heal the bruise faster.
3. Gentle Massage
A gentle massage can also speed up the healing of a hickey by increasing circulation in the affected area. Massaging helps disperse the blood that's pooled beneath the skin, which can reduce the appearance of the hickey.
How to do it:
- Use your fingers to gently massage the area around the hickey in circular motions.
- Apply light pressure—don’t press too hard, as this can make the bruise worse.
- Massage for 2-3 minutes, a few times a day.
Why it works: Increased circulation helps break up the blood clot under the skin, speeding up the healing process.
4. Use Aloe Vera Gel or Arnica Cream
Both aloe vera gel and arnica cream are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce swelling and bruising. Aloe vera is great for soothing the skin, while arnica has been traditionally used to treat bruises and reduce the visibility of marks.
How to do it:
- Apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel or arnica cream directly onto the hickey.
- Massage it gently into the skin.
- Repeat this 2-3 times a day for faster results.
Why it works: Both aloe vera and arnica have healing properties that reduce inflammation and promote the absorption of pooled blood, helping the hickey heal faster.
5. Vitamin K Cream
Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and can help the body reabsorb the blood from the hickey. Vitamin K cream is a topical remedy that is commonly used for treating bruises and speeding up the healing process.
How to do it:
- Apply a small amount of Vitamin K cream directly to the hickey.
- Massage it in gently, and repeat this a few times a day.
Why it works: Vitamin K helps accelerate the healing process by promoting blood circulation and helping your body process and reabsorb the pooled blood from the hickey.
6. Apply a Cold Spoon
A lesser-known trick to getting rid of a hickey quickly is using a cold spoon. The cool metal helps to constrict blood vessels and reduce the size of the bruise, while the curvature of the spoon can gently massage the area.
How to do it:
- Place a metal spoon in the refrigerator for a few minutes to chill it.
- Press the back of the spoon gently against the hickey and roll it over the skin.
- Do this for 5-10 minutes, a few times a day.
Why it works: The coldness of the spoon works similarly to a cold compress, and the slight pressure from rolling the spoon over the hickey can help break up the blood clot beneath the skin.
7. Conceal the Hickey with Makeup
If you need a quick fix and don’t have time for the hickey to heal naturally, makeup can be your best friend. Using makeup to cover up the mark temporarily is a great way to mask the bruise until it fades.
How to do it:
- Start with a color-correcting concealer: Green is best for neutralizing redness, while yellow or orange works well for purple and blue hues.
- Apply a foundation that matches your skin tone over the concealer to even out the area.
- Blend well for a natural finish.
Why it works: The right combination of color-correcting concealer and foundation will camouflage the hickey and make it less noticeable, giving you instant relief.
8. Stay Hydrated and Eat Healing Foods
Good nutrition and hydration are crucial for skin healing. Drinking plenty of water and eating foods that boost circulation and promote healing can help your body recover faster.
Foods to eat:
- Vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, strawberries, and bell peppers help boost collagen production and repair skin.
- Iron-rich foods like spinach and lean meats can help with blood circulation.
- Vitamin K-rich foods like kale and broccoli are known to help with the reabsorption of blood.
Why it works: Hydration and nutrient-rich foods provide your body with the necessary tools to heal quickly and effectively.
9. Avoid Scratching or Picking at the Hickey
While it may be tempting to scratch or pick at the hickey, doing so can make the bruise worse or slow down the healing process. Instead, allow your body to naturally break down the pooled blood and heal on its own.
Why it works: Scratching or picking at the hickey can cause additional irritation and prolong the healing time.
10. Give It Time: Patience Is Key
While you can use the above techniques to speed up the healing process, sometimes the best remedy is simply time. A hickey will naturally fade over the course of a week or so, and with the proper care, you can reduce its appearance significantly.
Final Thoughts
Hickeys are an unavoidable part of life for many people, but the good news is that they don’t have to stick around for long. If you’re looking to get rid of a hickey fast, applying a cold compress, switching to a warm compress after 48 hours, massaging the area, and using topical treatments like aloe vera, arnica, or vitamin K cream can all help speed up the healing process.