How To Get Rid Of A Hickey: Fast-Acting Remedies And Expert Cover-Up Tactics
Quick treatments and clever cover-up tips to fade marks while boosting confidence.
Hickeys, often called love bites, are a visible reminder of passionate moments. While they are harmless for most, their conspicuous appearance can lead to embarrassment, awkward social situations, or professional discomfort. This comprehensive guide combines effective home remedies, expert camouflage methods, and thorough explanations of what works—and what doesn’t—to help you quickly recover from a hickey or cover it up when necessary.
Understanding Hickeys: What Are They?
A hickey is essentially a superficial bruise resulting from suction, biting, or intense pressure on the delicate skin—commonly on the neck or arm. The force ruptures tiny blood vessels (capillaries) under the skin, leading to pooled blood and resultant discoloration. Initially, hickeys appear red; over time, the bruise darkens to purple, blue, or brown before eventually fading as your body reabsorbs the blood.
- Time to heal: 1-2 weeks for most hickeys, depending on size and skin sensitivity.
- Symptoms: Mild tenderness, swelling, and color changes; shouldn’t be severely painful or cause internal damage.
How To Get Rid Of A Hickey: 14 Fast-Acting Natural Remedies
While no remedy can erase a hickey instantly, several natural and home-based solutions help speed up healing, reduce swelling, and fade discoloration. For best results, start treatment as soon as you notice the bruise.
1. Cold Compress
- When to use: Apply as soon as possible or within the first 12 hours.
- How it helps: Cold limits blood flow, reduces swelling, and can minimize the size of a new hickey.
- How to do it:
- Wrap ice cubes in a clean cloth or use a chilled spoon.
- Press gently against the hickey for 10-15 minutes at a time.
- Repeat every few hours for the first day.
2. Hot Compress
- When to use: 48 hours after you get the hickey, once initial swelling has subsided.
- How it helps: Heat dilates blood vessels, facilitating quicker removal of pooled blood and promoting healing.
- How to do it:
- Soak a clean cloth in warm water, wring it out, and hold it over the hickey.
- Massage gently outward from the center to disperse blood.
- Apply for 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times daily.
3. Gentle Massage
- When to try: After 1-2 days, when tenderness decreases.
- How it helps: Stimulates circulation and helps to break down clotted blood.
- Method: Use clean fingers to gently rub around (not directly on) the bruise in slow, circular motions.
4. Arnica Gel or Cream
- Benefits: Arnica is a herbal remedy well-known for bruising and inflammation.
- How to apply: Massage a thin layer onto the affected skin 2-3 times a day.
5. Aloe Vera Gel
- Benefits: Naturally soothing and anti-inflammatory.
- How to use: Apply fresh aloe gel over the hickey, leave for 20 minutes, and rinse if desired.
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6. Vitamin K Topical Cream
- Purpose: Vitamin K promotes blood clotting and helps expedite fading.
- Usage: Apply a thin layer directly on the bruise 2-3 times daily until it fades.
7. Vitamin C Serum or Cream
- Purpose: Supports microvascular repair and skin healing.
- How to apply: Gently dab vitamin C serum or cream on the hickey twice daily.
8. Banana Peel Massage
- How it helps: Banana peel contains vitamins and enzymes that may soothe skin and reduce discoloration.
- Application: Place the inner side of a fresh banana peel (cut to size) on the hickey for 10-30 minutes.
9. Peppermint Oil (Diluted)
- Why: Peppermint oil may enhance circulation, aiding the healing process.
- Usage: Mix a drop of peppermint oil with a carrier oil, gently rub it on the bruise (do a patch test first).
10. Cocoa Butter
- Benefit: Moisturizes, promotes healing, and may reduce skin discoloration.
- Method: Apply a small amount of cocoa butter cream or ointment to the area twice daily.
11. Witch Hazel
- Why it works: Natural astringent properties reduce inflammation and speed up healing.
- How to use: Dab a cotton pad in witch hazel and gently apply to the hickey several times a day.
12. Pineapple
- Active ingredient: Bromelain, an enzyme noted for breaking down blood clots.
- How to try: Place a fresh slice of pineapple on the bruise for a few minutes; avoid if irritation occurs.
13. Tea Tree Oil (Diluted)
- How it works: Has anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
- Application: Dilute a drop in a carrier oil, dab gently onto the hickey once or twice daily.
14. Raw Garlic Paste
- Claimed benefits: Garlic contains allicin, which may aid bruise healing for some.
- How to use: Apply a thin layer of freshly crushed garlic wrapped in gauze to avoid direct skin contact. Leave on for 5-10 minutes, rinse off, and discontinue if irritation develops.
How To Hide A Hickey: Pro Camouflage Tactics
While your skin heals, even the best remedies need time. For urgent situations—like work, school, interviews, or family gatherings—expert cover-up methods are essential. Here are the most effective tactics:
- Wear clothing with a high collar or turtleneck or strategically place a scarf to conceal neck hickeys.
- Accessory with shawls, scarves, or statement jewelry to naturally cover the bruised area.
- Use your hair: Long hair can be carefully arranged to hide hickeys on the neck or collarbone.
- Makeup method: The most reliable method, regardless of clothing or season.
How to Cover a Hickey with Makeup
- Step 1: Start with clean, moisturized skin.
- Step 2: Neutralize redness by gently applying a green color corrector if the hickey is mostly red, or a yellow/purple corrector if the bruise has turned blue-purple.
- Step 3: Apply concealer matching your skin tone over the corrector; blend thoroughly with a makeup sponge or clean fingers.
- Step 4: Layer on foundation to create an even finish covering the hickey and surrounding area.
- Step 5: Set with translucent powder to lock in makeup and prevent smudging.
Recommended Makeup Products
- Color corrector (green, yellow, or purple, depending on bruise color)
- Full-coverage concealer
- Liquid or stick foundation
- Translucent setting powder
- Clean makeup brushes or sponge for blending
Home Remedies You Should Avoid
Certain viral or DIY “hickey hacks” have gained popularity online. However, not only are these unproven, but they also carry risks of making your bruise worse. Avoid:
- Rubbing with a coin: This applies painful, unnecessary pressure and can worsen bruising or cause skin damage.
- Massaging with a lip balm cap: No scientific support, and excessive pressure may break more blood vessels.
- Applying toothpaste: While some believe menthol or a tingling sensation helps, no evidence supports this, and irritation or allergic reaction is possible.
Most Effective Natural Ways To Get Rid Of A Hickey (Infographic Overview)
- Apply a cold compress immediately after the hickey forms to reduce size and swelling
- Use a hot compress after 48 hours to stimulate circulation and promote healing
- Massage gently around the area, not directly on the bruise, to disperse clotted blood
- Try topical arnica, aloe vera, or vitamin K creams for faster fading
- Hide the hickey with strategic clothing, accessories, or well-blended makeup until it disappears
Do’s And Don’ts For Treating A Hickey
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Apply cold compresses early | Rub or scratch the bruise aggressively |
| Switch to warm compresses after 48 hours | Attempt harsh or viral home “hacks” (toothpaste, coins, etc.) |
| Hydrate and rest for natural recovery | Ignore skin irritation from oils or natural remedies |
| Use makeup and clothing judiciously to conceal | Rely solely on remedies for instant results – healing takes time |
| Perform a patch test for new topical remedies | Apply undiluted essential oils directly to the skin |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are there any risks in using home remedies for hickeys?
Some people may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions from certain natural remedies (like essential oils or garlic). Always perform a patch test before full application.
How can I make a hickey disappear as fast as possible?
There is no proven instant cure for a hickey. The most effective approach is a combination of early cold compress, targeted remedies, and giving your body enough time to heal. Makeup and covered clothing can disguise the bruise in the meantime.
What’s the best way to cover up a hickey quickly?
Strategically using a green/purple color corrector, concealer, and foundation blended into your skin remains the most foolproof way to hide a hickey for special events or work. Clothing and accessories are also helpful but may not always be feasible.
Is a hickey painful? Should I worry?
Hickeys may be slightly tender for a day and can swell slightly, but they typically heal within 7–14 days. If you experience severe pain, unusual swelling, or signs of infection, consult a healthcare professional.
Are hickeys dangerous or harmful to my health?
For most individuals, hickeys are harmless and only present cosmetic concerns. However, very rarely, a large hickey could theoretically trigger a blood clot or related complication in predisposed individuals. If you notice alarming symptoms or have clotting disorders, seek medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- Hickeys are a temporary form of bruise, harmless for most but potentially embarrassing in social or professional settings.
- Early cold compress, gentle massage, topical herbal remedies, and warm compresses after 48 hours can speed up healing.
- To hide hickeys immediately, a strategic combination of makeup, clothing, and accessories is most effective.
- Avoid viral home remedies that can aggravate your skin or worsen bruising.
- Patience is key—most hickeys fade completely without intervention in about 1–2 weeks.
References
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pND7mxptos
- https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-a-hickey/
- https://www.medicinenet.com/how_do_you_get_rid_of_a_hickey_in_seconds/article.htm
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-rid-of-a-hickey
- https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/give-someone-hickey/
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