How to Get Rid of a Hickey

We have all been there at some point in time – looking in the mirror to find a hickey in a spot where it will be hard to hide it before going to work or school, or even keeping it out of sight from parents or whomever else you need to hide it from. What do you do to try to get rid of your hickey if anything?

Is a hickey bad?

The process in getting a hickey may not be all that bad – in a moment of passion when a person kisses or sucks the area, usually the neck, too aggressively. The hickey is considered a mark of passion or even a love bite.

The hickey, characterized by a dark, purple-to-red bruise, is actually evident of ruptured capillaries or blood vessels underneath the surface of the skin. This sounds bad and damaging to the blood vessels, but the hickey does eventually go away with a little time and patience.

A hickey is not bad. If anything may be considered bad, it is the reaction of others when they see your hickey.

The attention may cause some embarrassment as the bruising may be noticeable if in an area on your body that can be seen. Depending on the environment, a noticeable hickey may even be considered inappropriate.

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How long does a hickey last?

On its own, a hickey will go away anywhere between 10 days to two weeks. It is normal for the hickey to darken a little at first but then lighten until it completely fades away as your body slowly breaks down the bits of blood under the skin and reabsorbs them.

It is also important to not mess with your hickey too much, as putting too much pressure on it can aggravate and prolong the healing process. 

How to get rid of a hickey overnight

There are not any particular treatments that can make a hickey go away overnight, but here are a few creative tips to cover up your hickey:

• Accessories and clothing such as collars, turtlenecks, and scarves
• Concealer 

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How to get rid of a hickey fast

If clothing and accessories do not do the trick or satisfy you, applying these against the hickey may help it go away within a day or two:

• Aloe vera pulp, which reduces inflammation, pain, and swelling
• Apple cider vinegar, which expands the blood stream toward the surface
• Banana peel, which may help reduce bruising and irritation
• Cocoa butter, which may decrease or eliminate the bruising
• Cold compress or spoon, which slows down the blood flow from the broken capillaries and reduces the size of the hickey
• Ice, which may reduce the swelling and make the hickey less noticeable
• Peppermint oil – the menthol may speed up the healing of the hickey
• Pineapple slice – the bromelain enzyme may reduce inflammation, soreness, and swelling
• Toothpaste, preferably peppermint-based, which can lighten the hickey
• Vitamin C cream, which may speed up the healing of the hickey and eliminate it
• Vitamin K cream, which may speed up the healing of the hickey

Be careful with applying each of these to the bruising, especially if you notice any irritation.

For instance, pineapples, which are acidic, might cause irritation depending on your skin sensitivity and how often it is applied to the hickey.

It only takes a few seconds for a hickey to be formed while in the moment, but unfortunately, it takes more time for the hickey to go away.

Remember these tricks and creative ways of covering up your hickey, or healing them faster, if you find yourself with a hickey again.