A hickey is formed when blood pools and darkens under the surface of the skin as a result of a ruptured capillary caused by biting or sucking of that area of the skin. You may notice a dark red or purplish bruise which is visible probably on your neck or chest area. They can be somewhat embarrassing, so after covering them up, the next thought is usually how to get rid of hickeys.
It is pretty common as in the heat of passion people tend to get carried away; maybe this is why they are also called love bites. Since it’s nothing new, there are tons of ways to get rid of them fast. Below we will be highlighting a few quick remedies you can try.
How to get rid of hickeys
Turtlenecks, scarves and concealers cover up the spots. However, they do not make the hickeys go away and are only temporary measures that can save you from attracting attention. Here are some permanent remedies you can try, that will help you get rid of hickeys in a day or two.
Fruits
A natural remedy you can easily try is fruits, they are calming yet effective in making hickeys disappear. The two most active fruits are pineapples and bananas.
For pineapple and apple, you can apply slices of the fruit to your skin at least four times a day. The fruits contain an active ingredient called bromelain that helps to reduce swelling. When applied to hickeys they tend to make the bruising better.
Another fruit is the banana. You don’t need the edible part of the fruit, just the peels. Place a banana peel on the hickey three times a day, and leave until the peel turns brown. All the oxidants and vitamins it contains would have been released to help reduce the visibility of the hickey.
Be careful and do not let the fruits stay on for too long. Their acidic content tends to be harsh on some types of skin.
Cold compress
The cold compress is one of the easiest ways to get rid of a hickey. Apply cold substances to the affected area, even if it’s a metal spoon kept in the freezer for 30 minutes. It helps with the blood flow and covers up the bruising from a hickey.
Within the early hours of discovering the hickey, place an ice pack over it. If you don’t have that, you can use any frozen product in your freezer, whether it is peas or chips. You can also try the old fashion way of placing ice inside a cloth or soaking the fabric in cold water and applying it to the skin.
You will see a reduction in the size and bruising within 48 hours, and you can repeat the process till it completely fades out.
Topical Creams
If you have a visible hickey, creams rich in vitamin C and K will get the job done. Vitamin C aids in collagen production and helps the skin gain elasticity. On the other hand, vitamin K is known for its blood clotting abilities, and since hickeys are blood pools, they tend to aid the healing process.
Try getting one of such creams and apply it over the area twice a day, till you eliminate the bruising. You could also try increasing your intake of fruits that contain these vitamins, it gives an extra boost to the skin.
Warm massages
Applying the right amount of pressure minutes after getting a hickey is very effective in stopping the blood from pooling. Massage with essential oils like peppermint and olive oil.
You can also place a cloth soaked in warm water over the hickey, this remedy is used if the hickey is not fading out after a few days. It helps the pool of blood that has been formed circulate and flow better thereby reducing the redness of the broken capillaries.
The toothbrush hack
The toothbrush is a method used to aid blood circulation. Find a soft bristle brush, one that will be gentle on your skin. Then use the brush to gently spread out the affected area to help the flow of blood.
You can do this once or twice a day till the hickey disappears. As you move the brush around, don’t press too hard on the skin to avoid scarring.
All these treatments are effective in getting rid of hickeys fast. Other DIY remedies you can try include aloe vera gel, cocoa butter, and arnica flower herb, applied over the hickeys for the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory powers they have. Or you can take the high road of using a dye laser to help the bruising disappear quickly. Anyways, with a simple solution, your skin should be back to normal within days.
Naturally, hickeys disappear on their own within ten to fourteen days. When you decide to try one of these treatments to get rid of them quickly, the healing time varies with the skin and size of the hickey. They also do not just disappear overnight, so you might want to keep your concealer around for a few days.
