I. Introduction
Most people don’t consider a hickey to be a serious injury, but they can be unsightly and embarrassing. A hickey is a bruise that forms when someone sucks or bites on the skin, causing broken blood vessels.
Whether you have a romantic partner who loves to leave hickeys or you accidentally got one during a passionate encounter, it’s important to know how to make a hickey go away so you can feel comfortable in your own skin again.
II. Home Remedies
If you’re looking for natural and inexpensive ways to help a hickey fade faster, home remedies may be your best bet.
1. Using an Ice Pack
As with any bruise, applying cold to the area can help reduce swelling and inflammation. Wrap an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel and hold it on the hickey for up to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Just be careful not to apply the ice directly to the skin, as this can cause frostbite.
2. Massaging the Area with a Warm Compress
After a couple of days, when the hickey is no longer actively forming, you can try using heat instead of ice. Soak a towel in warm water and wring it out, then hold it over the hickey for 10-20 minutes. This can help increase blood flow to the area, which can help your body to heal the bruise more quickly.
3. Applying Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great option for reducing the redness and swelling of a hickey. Apply aloe vera gel directly to the hickey and massage it in gently. Repeat several times a day until the bruise fades.
4. Rubbing the Area Gently with a Toothbrush
This may sound counterintuitive, but gently rubbing the area around the hickey with a soft-bristled toothbrush can help increase blood flow and break up the clotted blood causing the discoloration. Be very gentle, though, as you don’t want to make the hickey worse!
III. Makeup Tips
If you don’t have time to wait for your hickey to fade on its own, or if you need to cover it up for a professional or formal event, you may want to try using makeup to hide it.
1. Using a Color-Correcting Primer
To neutralize the red or purple tones of a hickey, apply a green or yellow primer over the area. This will help cancel out the color before you apply foundation or concealer.
2. Applying Concealer
Choose a concealer that is one shade lighter than your skin tone, and apply a small amount directly on top of the hickey. Gently blend it in using a makeup brush or your fingertips.
3. Applying Foundation
After you’ve applied your primer and concealer, you can apply foundation on top to help even out your skin tone. Just be careful not to rub too hard, as you don’t want to accidentally remove the concealer underneath.
4. Setting the Area with Powder
To help your makeup last longer and reduce the chance of smudging or rubbing off, dust a light layer of translucent powder over the entire area. This can also help minimize the shine caused by the primer or concealer.
IV. Clothing Choices
If you’re not comfortable showing off your hickey, you may want to choose clothing that can help conceal it.
1. Wearing a Turtleneck or Scarf
If your hickey is on your neck, you can cover it up with a turtleneck or high-necked shirt. If it’s on your chest, a scarf or shawl can help hide it.
2. Choosing Clothes with Higher Necklines
If you don’t want to wear something that covers your entire neck, you can opt for higher-necked tops that still show some skin but don’t reveal the hickey.
V. Medical Treatment
If you have a severe hickey that isn’t responding to home remedies or makeup, or if you simply need it to go away quickly, there are medical treatments that can help.
1. Laser Therapy
A laser can be used to break up the blood clots causing the hickey, allowing your body to absorb them more quickly. This type of treatment is most effective during the first few days after the hickey appears.
2. Ultrasound Therapy
Similar to laser therapy, ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to break up the clotted blood and increase blood flow to the area. This can help your body to heal the bruise more quickly.
3. Topical Creams
There are several over-the-counter creams and ointments that claim to help reduce the appearance of bruises. These typically contain ingredients like arnica or vitamin K, which can help increase circulation and prevent further damage to the blood vessels.
VI. Prevention
The best way to get rid of a hickey is to avoid getting one in the first place! Of course, this is easier said than done, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.
Avoiding Bites, Kisses, or Rough Play on the Neck or Chest
If you know that your partner likes to give hickeys, you can ask them to be more gentle or to avoid your neck and chest altogether. If you’re engaging in rough play or BDSM, make sure that you have a safe word and that your partner is aware of your limits.
VII. Mind over Matter
Even with all of these tips, it’s important to remember that hickeys are a natural (if sometimes embarrassing) part of being human. If you do get a hickey, try not to stress too much about it.
How to Deal with the Social Stigma Surrounding Hickeys
Although hickeys are common and harmless, they can still carry a negative stigma. If you’re worried about what others will think of you, remember that you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your body or your sex life.
How to Feel Confident While Having Them or Dealing with Them in Public
If you’re comfortable showing off your hickey, embrace it! You can wear it as a badge of honor or a sign of affection. If you’re feeling self-conscious, just remember that most people probably won’t notice or care.
VIII. Humor
If all else fails, you can always try to laugh it off.
Funny Ways to Deal with Getting a Hickey
Some people wear a fake injury sticker or silly makeup to draw attention away from the hickey. Others make up ridiculous stories explaining how they got it (like getting attacked by a giant octopus!).
IX. Conclusion
Whether you prefer natural remedies or medical treatments, there are plenty of ways to make a hickey go away. At the end of the day, though, it’s important to remember that your body is yours to love and enjoy, hickeys and all!
So next time you find yourself sporting a hickey, don’t panic. Just remember these tips and tricks, and you’ll be back to feeling like yourself in no time.
