16 Natural Remedies to Get Rid of a Hickey Fast

Hickeys, also known as love bites or kiss marks, are temporary marks that result from sucking or kissing the skin too hard. They are caused by aggressively sucking or kissing the skin, and these actions lead to the rupture of capillaries or tiny blood vessels located under the surface of the skin. You may notice bruises when the blood leaks out into tissues.

Hickeys are often given on the neck but can also be found on the thighs, collarbone, arm, or just anywhere a person wants to receive or give it. Using the mouth as a tool in many ways and in different locations can help increase arousal. But if done incorrectly, receiving a hickey can cause pain to some individuals.

A hickey may start as a red mark, slowly turning to a purplish blue. The spot on the affected skin signifies passionate and aggressive lovemaking. It may appear painful, but hickeys are completely painless when done correctly.

However, hiding or getting rid of a hickey can be difficult, depending on its severity and location. Therefore, it is essential to talk to your partner before starting activities that you may not be comfortable with or okay with.

How to Get Rid of a Hickey Fast
How to Get Rid of a Hickey Fast

Does a Hickey Hurt?

Usually, a hickey is just a little bruise. You will not experience any pain. However, if you have susceptible skin or your partner expresses love too aggressively, you may feel pain when touching the affected area.

How Long Do Hickeys Last?

Hickeys are temporary marks, and they go away with time. If left untreated, it usually lasts for 5-12 days. Sometimes it may take 2 weeks to recover, depending on the severity of the hickey.

If you have sensitive skin or other diseases such as diabetes or iron deficiency, the broken blood vessels may take longer to repair. If the hickey lasts for a long time and does not heal, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Get Rid of a Hickey
Get Rid of a Hickey

16 Natural Remedies to Get Rid of a Hickey Fast

Removing a hickey can be tricky, but don’t fret, as we’ve covered you. Here are the most recommended ways to remove hickeys a few days faster. Remember, if your condition is serious, these remedies may take some time to achieve results.

1. Cold Compress

When you get a hickey, the blood capillaries under the skin may be broken. The blood will leak out and form a blood clot under your skin. Cold Compress like ice will constrict the blood vessel. This will help reduce bleeding and minimize the hickey.

Option1:

Wrap some ice cubes or ice packs in a thin cloth or towel. Then apply it tenderly against the affected skin and slowly move the ice around the surrounding area.

Apply this cooling compress to your skin for  8-10 minutes, then remove it. You should repeat this as much as possible on the first day. This will help remove the marks In the shortest time.

Make sure not to place the ice directly on the skin, as this could lead to a burn to your skin. Do not exceed 20 minutes at a time; this can also damage your skin. If you do not have ice cubes, you can use an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables to reduce swelling around the area.

Option 2:

Instead of ice, you can also use frozen spoons to eliminate the hickey. Place two or three metallic spoons in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. Take one out, wrap the spoons with a cloth and gently press it on the affected skin.

When the spoon is not cold, get another cold spoon from the fridge and rub it over the area. This can help reduce the blood flow to the area and break up the blood clots under the skin. Try to repeat this process many times during the first day.

Note: Make sure to wrap the spoons with a cloth; this can prevent damage to your skin by the sharp edges. And this method works best when you have just received a hickey. In addition, it is beneficial when your hickey is on your neck or face.

2. Warm Compress

For fresh Hickies, the cold method may be beneficial. However, if the hickey is finished forming, you should try the warm compress method. A warm compress can help dilate the capillaries, allowing fresh blood to flow around the area.

This method is best for a hickey formed two or three days old and is hard to deal with. Warm compressing can help boost blood flow and break apart a hickey. This can also help the blood under your skin be reabsorbed by the body, which will help remove the hickey fast.

There are many ways to apply heat to a hickey.

Option 1:

Soak a towel or washcloth in hot water. Wring out the excess liquid and apply it to the affected area for at least five minutes. Reheat the towel if necessary. Follow this method 3-5 times daily to improve blood flow and help remove the mess. Ensure the water is not too hot; otherwise, it may lead to burns.

Option 2:

Another option is to apply a reusable heat patch available from pharmacists. They are cheap and easy to use. Moreover, it can provide hot for a long time. Make sure to read the instructions provided in the package first.

Option 3:

If you are in a rush, you can also use a hot water bottle or a hairdryer and set it in a warm or hot setting. Apply heat to the skin for 10-20 minutes and massage the area gently with your fingers.

Note: Avoid this method within 2 days of receiving the hickey, as the burst capillaries have not healed completely. The heat will increase the blood flow to the hickey and make it bigger.

When placing a warm compress on a hickey, ensure that you give your skin enough time to return to its average temperature before the next application.

3. Finger Massage

Massaging is an effective method to remove hickeys. Massaging the affected skin can help scatter the clotted blood and reduce its appearance. Moreover, it can stimulate your skin and increase blood circulation.

Warm a small towel, apply it on the hickey, and wait until the area heats. You can also use a heating pad instead. A warm compress can help improve circulation.

Massage the hickey with two fingers carefully. Rub the affected area in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes. Then, change the direction of movement and rub again for 2-3 minutes.

Apply pressure with your fingers from the center to the outer edges of the hickey. This can help break the blood clot and push the blood away from the hickey. Repeat this process for at least five minutes and change the direction to another side. You can do this 2-3 times a day.

Note: The effect of this technique usually depends on the size and severity of a hickey, but make sure that you rub the area firmly to break the clotted blood. After massaging the hickey, you may notice a few normal outlines. You can also use some essential oil to speed up the healing process.

4. Toothbrush or Comb

Another method to get rid of the hickey is using a toothbrush or a comb. This method sounds a little strange, but many people say it works. This remedy can help break up the blood around the hickey and stimulate blood circulation to remove excess blood from the tissue. This will effectively reduce the love bite.

Tenderly rub your hickey and the area around it with a stiff-bristled toothbrush or a comb. You’d better use a new toothbrush so that the bristles are still hard enough to stimulate blood flow and prevent infection. Ensure you apply pressure, but avoid pressing too hard as it might cause swelling and make a hickey larger.

Rub the hickey for 5-10 minutes and then wait about 10 minutes to see the results. The redness and swelling will spread but will be less evident within 15 minutes.

Once you are done, apply a cold compress to your hickey for ten minutes. Follow this procedure as long as necessary. If the hickey is not severe, this method may get rid of the hickey on your first try.

5. Aloe Vera

Due to its powerful soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera can be used to get rid of a Hickey naturally. Aloe vera can help heal the broken capillaries under your skin by increasing blood circulation.

This natural moisturizer will also decrease the area’s sensitivity with love marks. It also contains vitamin K, which is essential for healing bruises and a hickey. In addition, it is a well-known natural moisturizer that can help moisturize your skin.

Cut a fresh aloe vera leaf and extract its gel. Apply it to the bruise and massage it gently for 10-15 minutes. You can also leave it on without rinsing the area. Repeat this treatment 2-3 times a day. If the aloe vera plant isn’t available, you can apply aloe vera-based lotion or cream to the affected skin three times daily.

6. Peppermint

Peppermint is one of the best ways to treat hickeys fast. It has stimulant effects that can help improve blood flow. In addition, it can help reduce the severity and size of your hickey by breaking up the clot and repairing the broken capillary vessels. Before using this method, you should perform a patch test to ensure that it won’t cause further irritation.

  • Apply a small amount of peppermint oil directly to the hickeys. You may feel a tingling sensation that will go away quickly.
  • If you use essential oil, dilute it with other carrier oils like olive oil, almond oil, or coconut oil. Do not use the extract that is used for baking or cooking.
  • If you do not have peppermint oil, you can apply peppermint-based toothpaste to your skin and let it sit for a few minutes. Initially, you feel a slight tingle, and the initiate tingling sensation will fade quickly. Once the tingling has stopped,  remove the toothpaste with a warm washcloth. This treatment should be done after you just got a love mark.

Note: Avoid using peppermint oil or peppermint-based toothpaste more than once, as it can lead to skin irritation.

7. Rub Alcohol

Rubbing Alcohol
Rub Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is most effective when only a few hours have passed since you received the love mark. Besides its disinfectant agents, it also contains cooling and soothing properties that can help in removing hickeys fast.

Using a cotton ball, apply some rubbing alcohol to your skin. Rub the affected area gently for about 5-10 minutes to reduce discomfort and irritation.

Don’t forget to apply a moisturizing lotion on the area once you are done, as rubbing alcohol can dry your skin. Do this treatment a few times a day until the hickeys are gone.

8. Banana Peel

This method may sound ridiculous, but it does help reduce the appearance of love bites. The peels of bananas have cooling and soothing agents.

According to a study from Fox News, Bananas contain the super-protective compounds quercetin and kaempferol. These compounds can help reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation on the skin.

Remove the peel of a banana and cut it according to the size of your hickey. Rub the peel on the mark for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat the application 2 to 3 times a day until you are satisfied with the results.

9. Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is a fat obtained from cocoa beans. This is a common ingredient in many skin care products. It has been shown to smooth wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, and other skin blemishes. That’s because cocoa butter has high phytochemicals and fatty acids that can improve elasticity, nourish skin, and slow aging.

Cocoa butter is also highly effective in treating bruises like hickeys. To use this method, apply a warm compress to the affected skin. Next is to apply some cocoa butter and gently massage the skin for several minutes to improve blood circulation. Repeat this treatment a few times daily to reduce the appearance of love marks.

Alternatively, almond or olive oil can be used if cocoa butter isn’t available.

10. Scrape With a Coin

Perhaps the most painful technique to remove a hickey, scraping can give you excellent results if you want to try it. This method will require using a coin to break the clotted blood out.

To do this, pull your skin away from the love mark on opposite ends. Use a coin and scrape the skin as if applying butter to a slice of bread. This can help break down the blood clot and spread it to the surrounding tissues around a hickey. This will make the hickey less dark, less dense, and easier to be absorbed by the body.

Make sure to scrape from the center to the outward of the hickey. Scrape using adequate pressure, but not too heavy, as you may break the skin and cause bleeding. Naturally, the area scraped will be red and tender, but this will fade in a few minutes.

11. Garlic or Onion

Garlic and onion are well-known alternative medicines that can remove swelling, redness, and other trauma. A mixture of garlic and onion can help you get rid of the hickey fast.

Mix two cloves of garlic, a quarter of an onion, salt, and water, and stir well with a blender. Then apply the paste to a clean cloth and put the compress to your hickey. Make sure not to exceed five minutes; otherwise, it may burn your skin.

You can repeat this one time a day. Garlic and onion contain some substances that may harm your skin if you repeat this more than once a day.

12. Eat Foods Rich in Vitamin C and K

Vitamin C and K deficiencies can make a person more likely to develop bruises. Consider eating more foods rich in these vitamins, or consult your physician if you want to take supplements. Foods rich in vitamin K are eggs, liver, broccoli, kale, and spinach.

Foods high in vitamin C are blueberries, oranges, strawberries, red peppers, sweet potatoes, and raspberries. For fresh hickeys, consider drinking citrus juices to get healing properties.

13. White Toothpaste

Toothpaste for chest acne
Toothpaste

White toothpaste is a simple and effective way to minimize the mark. All you need to do is put a layer of white toothpaste on the Hickies. But ensure not to do this for long, as the white toothpaste may irritate your skin and cause a tingling feeling. In addition, You must choose only white toothpaste, as toothpaste has dehydration properties that may dry your skin.

Leave it on the affected area until the prickling feeling disappears. Rinse your skin with warm water. Do not use this method more than once a day.

14. Oranges

Oranges are rich in vitamin C, an essential nutrient for strengthening capillaries. Also, Vitamin C can help the body produce collagen and repair your skin. In addition, The bleaching properties of vitamin C can help clear hickeys quickly.

Drink a glass of fresh orange juice after getting a hickey. Avoid packaged orange juice, as other ingredients might harm your skin.

You can drink orange juice 2-3 times a day for a week. This will help rebuild your collagen and heal the love bites fast.

Also, you can take about 500 mg of vitamin C supplements after each meal for a week. Alternatively, you can take other fruits such as papaya, strawberries,  sweet potatoes, or guava to supplement vitamin C.

15. Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is another effective healing agent for bruises like hickeys. The natural antioxidants in cocoa butter can help clear your love bites quickly. Also, it can promote the growth of skin tissue and moisturize your skin deeply. The fatty acids in cocoa butter can also help fight free radicals, smooth skin, and even help remove your scars.

Soak a clean towel in warm water and wring it out. Apply it on the hickey to get a warm compress. This can help increase effectiveness. When the area is warm, apply little pieces of raw cocoa butter to the hickey and massage gently for 5-10 minutes. This can help break up the blood clot and stimulate blood circulation.

Repeat this process 2-3 times throughout the day. Instead of cocoa butter, you can also use olive oil or almond oil.

16. Vitamin C, E, and K

Vitamin C: This helps in keeping your skin smooth and healthy. This vitamin strengthens the skin tissue around the capillaries, which could speed up your healing process. It also contains antioxidant properties and may boost your skin’s collagen production. Apply a cream or lotion that is enriched with vitamin C.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E supplements can help repair broken capillaries and tissue in the skin. It can also help moisturize your skin and get rid of a hickey fast.

Vitamin K helps speed up skin healing and clearing up bruises faster. It plays a vital role in the body’s blood-clotting process and helps reabsorb pooled blood. After getting a hickey, apply enough vitamin K cream or lotion to the area to reduce its appearance.

How to Remove the Hickeys Fast with Lotions, Creams, and Medications

Vitamin D
Vitamin for Hickeys

Some lotions, creams, and medications can help remove the swelling, redness, and pain from the hickey. This will help you get rid of the hickeys faster.

Aspirin: In addition to being a common painkiller, aspirin can also be used as an anticoagulant. It can reduce the clotting of blood and increases blood circulation. This will help the blood be absorbed back into the body.

Make sure not to take aspirin right after acquiring the love bite, making the hickey bigger. You’d better use it after twenty-four hours when the broken capillary blood has started clotting. This will help make the hickey disappear faster.

Excedrin: Excedrin contains Caffeine and Acetaminophen. It can help dilute the blood, improve blood circulation and prevent blood clotting. In addition, it can help reduce the pain from a hickey and help your body heal faster.

Arnica salve: Arnica salve can help reduce swelling and soreness when applied directly to a kiss mark. It also helps in repairing ruptured blood capillaries under the skin. You can use topical arnica to accelerate the healing process of the bruise.

Preparation H: Preparation H has anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat wounds and bruises, including hickeys. Apply Preparation H cream to the hickey and massage gently. Then leave it on for 10-15 minutes and wash it off. You can repeat this process 2-3 times a day.

Make sure to read all the prescriptions before you take the medicines. To prevent allergic reactions, you’d better do an allergy test or consult a doctor. Do not abuse any drugs and choose only certified kinds of medicines. You can mix the medication with natural methods to get a better result.

How to Cover a Hickey with Makeup

Hiding hickeys on the neck can be difficult, especially if you have to wear clothing that exposes the area. Fortunately, you can cover it with makeup until the mark fades away. Before you start, it is essential to gather all the suitable materials. To cover a hickey, you will need a green corrector, a yellow corrector, concealer, a make-up brush, and a foundation.

  1. Apply yellow corrector to the inside of the mark. This will neutralize and balance out the shade of the affected area. The outside of the hickey will be redder, and the knowledge will be purple, so you will need to apply yellow inside the love bite. Use a thin brush or sponge when applying the yellow corrector.
  2. Next is to apply a green corrector to the remaining red areas of the hickey.
  3. Use a concealer over the mark. Make sure that it matches your skin tone. Apply it over the hickey with a sponge or makeup. Try the concealer on the other side of your neck to see if the shade blends well.
  4. If you want the makeup to last for an extended period, consider applying a translucent powder over the concealer. If it gets too powdery, you can spray setting spray over it.
  5. For additional coverage, apply a thin layer of foundation using a sponge or a foundation brush.

How to Hide a Hickey Without Makeup

If there is not enough time to apply makeup, here are simple tricks to hide a hickey on your neck.

1. Wear a Collared Shirt or a Turtleneck

Wearing a sweater or a shirt to hide your love mark may be the most comfortable method to hide your hickey from the world. Whether female or male, you can try a turtleneck long-sleeved shirt, turtleneck sweater, or jacket that covers your neck. However, don’t wear these clothes if it is in the middle of the summer as they will only draw more attention to your neck. If you don’t usually wear this clothing, your friends may also suspect you are trying to hide something.

Consider wearing a shirt with strips, a funny logo, or an unusual design. The more attractive or busier your top is, the fewer chances people will take a glance at your neck.

2. Cover Your Hickey with Hair

If your hair is long enough, you can use it to hide your hickey. However, this is not the best solution for whole-day coverage, especially when it gets windy. But this can be useful to hide it temporarily. For example, if your brother, sister, or parents suddenly enter your room, you can move your hair quickly over the mark.

3. Wear the Right Accessories

If your sweater or shirt is not enough to cover love marks, you can hide them successfully with the right accessory. You can try some items: a scarf, band-aid, sticker, choker, neckerchief, and lace.

  • The most common accessory to hide hickeys is a scarf. However, avoid wearing it indoors and ensure you use it during the right season. If you never wear a scarf before, it is best to skip this solution as your friends or coworkers will only suspect you.
  • Do not wear jewelry like earrings and necklaces, as these things can draw attention to your neck. For women, wear cool bracelets or rings to shift people’s eyes to your hands. Men should avoid wearing chains or dog tags and wear a massive ring or an excellent watch instead.
  • You can also put a bandage on a mark and make up a story.

Accessories can be a cute way to hide those love marks, but add some variation to the items you use. Move on to a new technique after a day or two so people won’t get suspicious.

Final Word

Hickeys may not go away instantly, but there are many steps that you can take to accelerate the healing process by a day or two. While waiting for the marks to disappear, your best bet is to cover the hickey with proper clothing or accessories. The methods mentioned above will help reduce the appearance of hickeys faster, but the effectiveness depends on the size and severity of the hickey.

While you have a hickey, it is best to stop smoking as it can reduce your blood supply and slow down the mark’s healing. Remember that even though hickeys aren’t painful, they can create blood clots that could lead to a stroke. If your partner is always giving you love marks, it may be time to let that person know about the risks of providing hickeys to people.

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