Hickeys, often called love bites or kiss marks, can be a mark of affection or a result of passionate intimacy. However, they can also be a source of embarrassment, especially when they appear unexpectedly or in a visible spot. Whether you’re heading to work, a formal event, or simply don’t want the attention, finding a way to get rid of a hickey fast becomes a top priority.
While there’s no magical, instant solution, there are a variety of methods that can help speed up the healing process, minimize the appearance of a hickey, or even conceal it altogether. In this article, we’ll cover proven remedies and techniques that can help you how to get rid of hickeys fast. By understanding the causes of hickeys and how the body heals bruises, you can use these strategies to help your body heal faster or hide the hickey until it fades on its own.
What Is a Hickey?
Before diving into how to get rid of a hickey fast, let’s understand what a hickey is. A hickey is a bruise caused by suction or light biting, which breaks small blood vessels under the skin. The blood that leaks from these vessels pools beneath the skin’s surface, causing the characteristic red, purple, or dark mark.
Hickeys typically appear in soft and sensitive areas of the body, such as the neck, chest, or inner arm, because these areas have more delicate skin and a higher concentration of blood vessels. The mark’s intensity depends on various factors, including the amount of suction applied, the severity of the breakage of blood vessels, and the person’s skin tone and healing abilities.
The healing process of a hickey can take anywhere from 5 to 12 days, depending on its size and severity. While a hickey usually fades naturally over time, there are ways to speed up the healing process, reduce its visibility, or even conceal it temporarily.
How to Get Rid of Hickeys Fast: Effective Methods
While there’s no way to remove a hickey instantly, there are several methods you can try to minimize the appearance of the bruise, speed up healing, or cover it up. Below are some of the most effective techniques for getting rid of a hickey quickly:
1. Apply a Cold Compress
The first thing you should do when you notice a hickey is to apply a cold compress to the affected area. Cold temperatures help constrict blood vessels, which can prevent more blood from pooling beneath the skin and reduce swelling and redness. This method is most effective within the first 24 hours of getting the hickey.
How to Use a Cold Compress:
- Wrap ice cubes in a soft cloth or use a pre-made cold compress.
- Hold the compress against the hickey for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Repeat this process every 2 to 3 hours during the first 24 hours.
By applying a cold compress, you reduce the swelling and prevent the bruise from becoming darker. This is an excellent first step when trying to get rid of a hickey quickly.
2. Warm Compress After 48 Hours
After the first 24 hours, applying a warm compress can help to accelerate the healing process. The warmth will promote blood flow to the area, encouraging the body to break down the pooled blood and absorb it faster. This method is effective in the later stages of healing when the bruise starts to fade.
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 to 15 minutes.
- Repeat this process 2-3 times a day after 48 hours.
The warm compress helps stimulate circulation, which can significantly speed up the healing process and make the hickey fade faster.
3. Massage the Area
Gentle massage is another method that can help you get rid of a hickey faster. Massaging the area around the hickey can stimulate blood circulation, encouraging the body to reabsorb the blood trapped under the skin. This technique is most effective once the initial swelling has subsided, and the hickey is no longer extremely tender.
How to Massage a Hickey:
- Use your fingers to apply gentle, circular motions around the hickey.
- Avoid pressing too hard, as excessive pressure can worsen the bruise.
- Massage for 2-3 minutes, several times a day.
Massaging the hickey helps break down the blood under the skin and encourages healing, making it an excellent method for speeding up the recovery process.
4. Apply Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, making it a great remedy for treating bruises and reducing swelling. When applied to a hickey, aloe vera helps calm the skin, reduce redness, and speed up the healing process.
How to Use Aloe Vera:
- Apply fresh aloe vera gel directly to the hickey.
- Leave it on for about 20-30 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process 2-3 times a day.
Aloe vera not only soothes irritated skin but also promotes faster healing, making it an excellent choice for treating hickeys.
5. Use Vitamin K Cream
Vitamin K is essential for the body’s blood clotting process and plays a significant role in reducing bruising. Applying vitamin K cream to the hickey can help the body break down the pooled blood under the skin and speed up the absorption process.
How to Use Vitamin K Cream:
- Apply a thin layer of vitamin K cream to the hickey.
- Gently massage the cream into the skin.
- Use the cream 2-3 times per day.
Vitamin K is a well-known remedy for bruising and can help get rid of a hickey faster by assisting in the breakdown of pooled blood and promoting circulation.
6. Try Arnica Gel
Arnica is a plant with natural anti-inflammatory properties that have been used for centuries to reduce bruising and swelling. Arnica gel or cream can help improve blood circulation and reduce the appearance of bruises, including hickeys. Applying arnica gel to the hickey will speed up the healing process and help reduce its visibility.
How to Use Arnica Gel:
- Apply a thin layer of arnica gel or cream to the hickey.
- Gently massage the gel into the skin.
- Repeat this process 2-3 times a day.
Arnica helps reduce inflammation, making it one of the most effective remedies for getting rid of a hickey quickly.
7. Use a Spoon (Cold Trick)
If you need a quick solution to reduce the swelling and make the hickey less noticeable, you can use a cold spoon. This is a simple and effective trick that constricts blood vessels and minimizes the size of the bruise.
How to Use a Cold Spoon:
- Place a metal spoon in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
- Once the spoon is cold, press the back of the spoon gently against the hickey for several minutes.
- Repeat this process 2-3 times a day.
The cold spoon works in a similar way to a cold compress by constricting blood vessels and reducing the size of the hickey. It’s a quick and easy method to minimize the appearance of a hickey on the go.
8. Toothpaste (A Controversial Trick)
Some people swear by toothpaste as a remedy for getting rid of a hickey. The idea is that toothpaste, especially the mint variety, has a cooling and soothing effect that can reduce the appearance of swelling. However, this method is controversial and may not work for everyone.
How to Use Toothpaste:
- Apply a small amount of white toothpaste to the hickey.
- Gently rub it in and leave it on for 5-10 minutes.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water.
While some claim that toothpaste works by stimulating circulation, it may not be effective for everyone. Additionally, toothpaste can be irritating to sensitive skin, so use it cautiously and only for short periods.
9. Cover It Up with Makeup
If you need to hide the hickey quickly and can’t wait for it to heal naturally, makeup can help conceal the mark. Use color-correcting concealers and full-coverage foundations to cover up the bruise and make it less noticeable.
How to Conceal a Hickey with Makeup:
- Use a green color corrector to neutralize the red or purple tones in the hickey.
- Apply a full-coverage foundation that matches your skin tone over the area.
- Set the makeup with a setting powder to ensure it stays in place.
Makeup won’t speed up the healing process, but it can provide a temporary fix and help you go about your day without feeling self-conscious about your hickey.
10. Banana Peel Remedy
The inside of a banana peel contains vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients that can help soothe the skin and reduce swelling. The potassium in banana peels is known for its ability to reduce inflammation and promote healing, making this a natural remedy for hickeys.
How to Use a Banana Peel:
- Cut a small piece of banana peel and place the inside of the peel against the hickey.
- Leave it on for about 10-15 minutes, then remove it and wash the area with warm water.
- Repeat this process several times a day.
The potassium and antioxidants in banana peels can reduce swelling, promote healing, and help the hickey fade faster.
Conclusion
While a hickey is usually harmless, it can be an embarrassing reminder of a passionate encounter, especially if it appears at the wrong time. Luckily, there are several ways to get rid of a hickey fast and speed up the healing process. Methods like applying cold and warm compresses, massaging the area, using aloe vera or vitamin K creams, and even applying makeup can help reduce the appearance of a hickey or heal it more quickly.
Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and the effectiveness of each remedy can vary depending on the person and the severity of the hickey. However, by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can help your body heal faster and reduce the visibility of a hickey until it fades completely.
Whether you choose to try natural remedies like arnica or banana peels, or simply use makeup to cover it up, there’s a solution for every situation. With the right combination of treatments, you’ll be able to get rid of that hickey in no time.
