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Share to Pinterest20 Tested Tips For How to Get Rid of a Hickey
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Can You Really Get Rid of a Hickey? Discover 15 Effective Ways

By Jo Marshall
Share to Pinterest20 Tested Tips For How to Get Rid of a Hickey
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A hickey is the result of suction on delicate skin like that found on the neck. The pressure breaks capillaries in the skin and blood is released into the surrounding skin, forming a bruise. Within a short amount of time, the area will begin to show signs of swelling and bruising. Hickeys are associated with romance and passion, although some people can get them from unrelated injuries. If you don't want people to know what you've been up to, you'll have to eliminate the hickey, or at least hide it from sight.

01

Use a Cold Compress

Share to Pinteresthickey neck

You should use a cold compress right after you get a hickey to prevent blood from reaching the area and making a bruising. If you don't have a cold compress, use some ice packed in cloth or a cold spoon. Cold shrinks the blood vessels and keeps it from pooling. This reduces the amount of swelling and helps to eliminate love bites. Press the compress down on the hickey and slowly move it around for a few minutes.

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02

Use Toothpaste

Share to Pinteresttoothpaste hickey

Toothpaste, surprisingly can be used to remove hickeys. When using toothpaste, make sure you use peppermint or mint-flavored ones as the menthol in these kinds of toothpaste helps to soothe the area. Put a dab of toothpaste on your finger and rub it into the hickey for a couple of minutes. You can either wipe it off after the tingling has stopped or you can leave on all night.

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03

Use Peppermint Oil

Share to Pinterestpeppermint oil hickey

Instead of using toothpaste, some people use 100 percent peppermint oil. Mixe it with a drop or two of coconut or olive oil to dilute it before you spread it over the hickey. Let it sit overnight.

Make sure you test your skin before you apply a large amount as some people can react badly to essential oils.

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04

Apply Vitamin K-Based Lotion

Share to Pinterestwoman applying lotion to her neck

Doctors use vitamin K to reduce bruising on patients who just had surgery. This nutrient can speed the healing process, and that means it's also helpful for encouraging hickeys to fade quickly. Simply look for a vitamin K-rich lotion at the pharmacy and apply that to the bruised area a few times a day.

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05

Apply Aloe Vera

Share to Pinterestwoman applying aloe vera to scab on skin

Aloe vera is a natural healing plant, and it has been used for centuries to treat cuts and bruises. Take a leaf off an aloe plant and break it open, or buy aloe gel from the drugstore. Gently rub the aloe over the hickey.

Make sure it has a chance to soak into the skin. Repeat a few times a day until the hickey has faded.

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06

Grab a Banana Peel

Share to PinterestSliced banana

Right after you get a hickey, grab a banana and peel it. You want to place the inside of the peel directly over the hickey and let it sit. The banana will help to cool down the site and control the amount of bruising that can occur once you get a hickey. Repeat this process 3-5 times per day.

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07

Use a Toothbrush

Share to Pinterest20 Tested Tips For How to Get Rid of a Hickey

You can use a toothbrush with very soft bristles to stimulate the blood circulation around the hickey if it persists after a day or two. The increased blood flow will help to get rid of the swelling and color. Repeat this process several times a day until the hickey is gone.

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08

Use Cocoa Butter

Share to Pinterest20 Tested Tips For How to Get Rid of a Hickey

Cocoa butter has healing properties similar to aloe vera. Cocoa butter has phytochemicals and fatty acids that rejuvenate and heal the skin. It has traditionally been used on stretch marks, wrinkles, and scars to reduce or eliminate them. Apply cocoa butter to the hickey several times a day until it is gone. You might like it enough to keep using even long after the hickeys have disappeared.

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09

Use Warmth to Circulate Blood

Share to Pinterestwarmth hickey
subman / Getty Images

While you want to use a cold-press right after you get the hickey to reduce blood flow, you will want to do the opposite if the hickey is still there after a few days. After a couple of days, use a warm compress to increase blood flow to clear out the bruise. This should help to reduce the size of the hickey.

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10

Pick Neck-High Clothing

Share to Pinterest20 Tested Tips For How to Get Rid of a Hickey

Sometimes, the hickey is just too deep and dark to remove it in time. You might run into people you know before it disappears completely. In this case, you will need to dress appropriately to cover it up. You should put on a turtle-neck shirt or sweater or wear a fashionable scarf around your neck to hide it.

 

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11

Eat pineapple

Share to Pinterestperson cutting pineapple
MakDill / Shutterstock

Pineapples are not just a tropical delight; they are also a potential remedy for hickeys. These fruits contain an enzyme named bromelain, which is celebrated for its anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming fresh pineapple or taking bromelain supplements could be beneficial in reducing the severity of a hickey. This method offers a dual advantage: you get to savor the sweet taste of pineapple while potentially speeding up the healing process of the unsightly mark.

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12

Wait it out

Share to Pinterestwoman with hickey
Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock

Exercising patience can often be the most potent remedy when dealing with hickeys. Just as other bruises do, hickeys undergo a natural healing process and fade over a span of days. While the allure of quick-fix treatments can be strong, sometimes the best course of action is to let nature take its course. It's essential to remember that a hickey is a temporary blemish, and with time, even the most prominent ones will fade away, leaving clear skin behind.

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13

Massaging the hickey

Share to Pinterestman massaging neck
Duet PandG / Shutterstock

The art of massage has been used for centuries to promote healing and relaxation. When it comes to hickeys, a gentle massage can work wonders. By using your fingers to methodically rub the affected area in circular motions, you can stimulate blood flow and help disperse the trapped blood causing the discoloration. This hands-on approach not only aids in reducing the hickey's prominence but also provides a comforting and soothing sensation, making the healing process a tad more pleasant.

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14

Vitamin C-enriched cream

Share to Pinterestwoman applying cream to neck
bigshot01 / Shutterstock

Vitamin C, often hailed as a skincare superstar, boasts numerous benefits for the skin. When dealing with hickeys, a cream enriched with this powerhouse vitamin can be particularly beneficial. Vitamin C promotes collagen production, vital for skin elasticity and repair. By applying a Vitamin C-enriched cream to the hickey, you're not just targeting the bruise but also providing essential nutrients that nourish and rejuvenate the skin, ensuring it remains healthy and resilient.

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15

Topical and oral arnica

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Arnica has carved a niche for itself in the world of natural remedies, especially when it comes to treating bruises and inflammations. For those battling a hickey, arnica can be a formidable ally. Available in various forms, from creams to oral supplements, arnica works to reduce pain, swelling, and the unsightly discoloration associated with hickeys. By incorporating arnica into your healing regimen, you're harnessing a holistic approach that addresses both the external appearance and the underlying causes of the hickey.

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16

Use Visine to reduce visibility

Share to PinterestVisine Brand Allergy eyedrops
Janet S. Robbins / Shutterstock.com

Unexpectedly, Visine eye drops, commonly used to clear red eyes, can also diminish the appearance of a hickey. Dabbing a small amount of Visine on the bruised area can constrict the blood vessels, making the hickey less noticeable. It's a quick fix that can make your hickey blend a bit more with your natural skin tone, especially handy when you're in a pinch.

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17

Eat vitamin K-rich foods for faster healing

Share to PinterestHealthy greens with broccoli, spinach and kale

Incorporating foods rich in Vitamin K, like spinach, kale, and broccoli, into your diet can accelerate the healing process of a hickey. Vitamin K helps your body with blood clotting, potentially speeding up the reabsorption of the blood pooled under your skin. So, not only do you get a nutritional boost, but you might also see your hickey fade a bit quicker.

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18

Try laser therapy for a rapid solution

Share to PinterestElos epilation hair removal procedure on the face of a woman. Beautician doing laser rejuvenation on the neck in a beauty salon. Facial skin care. Hardware ipl cosmetology

For those looking for a faster way to bid farewell to their hickey, laser therapy presents a modern solution. While it can be on the pricier side, laser treatment can significantly reduce the visibility of a hickey within a couple of days. It's an option worth considering if you have an important event and need that hickey gone stat.

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19

Immediate cover-up with concealer and foundation

Share to PinterestA mixed-race girl putting foundation on the hickey on her neck.

When you're in dire need of hiding that hickey, a good concealer and full-coverage foundation can be your best allies. Start with a color corrector to neutralize the bruise's tone, then apply a layer of concealer, followed by a foundation to blend seamlessly with your skin. It's a quick camouflage that'll keep your secret safe.

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20

Avoid cold compresses after the initial stage

Share to Pinteresthot water bottle on the table

While a cold compress can be beneficial right after receiving a hickey, its effectiveness wanes after the first few minutes. After this initial phase, the focus should shift to warmth to promote blood flow and healing. Sticking to warm compresses can help dissipate the bruise faster, providing a more effective remedy than the cold.

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