How To Heal A Hickey

How To Heal A Hickey

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January 17, 2022 / Skin Care & Beauty

January 17, 2022 / Skin Care & Beauty

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You got a little hot and heavy in the heat of the moment — and now there’s evidence of it for all to see, right there on your neck.

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A hickey is a bruise caused by trauma to the skin, such as by sucking or biting. And although they aren’t serious injuries, they can be pretty embarrassing! So how can you get rid of a hickey ASAP?
Dermatologist Alok Vij, MD , explains how to minimize a hickey while you wait for it to fully fade.
The truth sucks (hickey pun intended): There’s no quick and easy way to get rid of a hickey. Like other forms of bruising, they need time to heal.
There’s good news, though. Most bruises last anywhere from three days to two weeks, and hickies, which are a superficial form of bruising, don’t take as long to heal as other types.
“The amount of trauma to the skin that creates a hickey isn’t as great as the trauma that causes, say, a black eye ,” says Dr. Vij, “so hickies can heal earlier on the spectrum as compared to other causes of bruising.”
And while the internet is full of DIY tips that claim to get rid of a hickey overnight, Dr. Vij says there’s no real science to most of them. Instead, he shares his top tips for minimizing your hickey’s appearance as it heals.
Your best bet is to treat your hickey with good old-fashioned warm compresses.
“Warm compresses can help open up your body’s blood vessels and break down the stain, taking away the red blood cells that have spilled out from the blood vessels and into your skin,” Dr. Vij explains.
You can do the following method as many as four times a day throughout the duration of your hickey:
And though cold compresses can help in cases of more substantial bruising, don’t bother putting them on your hickey. “The trauma to your skin is minimal enough that cold won’t do much good,” Dr. Vij says.
Instead, jump right to warm compresses and repeat as necessary for as many days as it takes the mark to fade.
In addition to the warm compress method, you can apply the following gels or creams to your hickey to help speed the healing process:
Some sources suggest aloe vera, which can calm skin inflammation (as in the case of sunburns ) — but Dr. Vij says it’s not actually much help on hickies. “With a hickey, there’s not that much skin inflammation,” he says. “It’s just slight trauma.”
If you have a big event coming up, you can ask your doctor about laser removal for a hickey in the 24 to 48 hours after it first appears. Beyond that, though, even lasering can’t help much, and you’ll just have to wait out the healing process.
With no real way to remove a hickey, your best bet is to keep it covered, whether by clothing or with light makeup. Time to stock up on scarves!

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

You got a little hot and heavy in the heat of the moment, and now there’s evidence of it for all to see, right there on your neck. A dermatologist weighs in on how can you get rid of a hickey ASAP.

By Akanksha Shah Sanghvi , MD, Clinical Dermatology

Wang Z-R, Ni G-X. Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture? World journal of clinical cases. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8173427/. Published June 16, 2021.
Wang H, Guan J, Zhang X, et al. Effect of cold application on pain and bruising in patients with subcutaneous injection of low-molecular-weight heparin: A meta-analysis. Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis: official journal of the International Academy of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7370549/. Published 2020.
Bruising: Information for blood donors. Blood Donor Counselling: Implementation Guidelines. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310575/. Published January 1, 1970.
Surjushe A, Vasani R, Saple DG. Aloe vera: A short review. Indian journal of dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/. Published 2008.
Nomikos NN, Nomikos GN, Kores DS. The use of deep friction massage with olive oil as a means of prevention and treatment of sports injuries in ancient times. Archives of medical science: AMS. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3298328/. Published October 2010.
Hamman MS, Goldman MP. Minimizing bruising following fillers and other cosmetic injectables. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3760599/. Published August 2013.
Pazyar N, Houshmand G, Yaghoobi R, Hemmati AA, Zeineli Z, Ghorbanzadeh B. Wound healing effects of topical vitamin K: A randomized controlled trial. Indian journal of pharmacology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6533928/. Published 2019.
Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/. Published August 12, 2017.
Telang PS. Vitamin C in dermatology. Indian dermatology online journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673383/. Published April 2013.
Tan A, Mallika P. Coining: An ancient treatment widely practiced among asians. Malaysian family physician: the official journal of the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4170418/. Published August 31, 2011.
Rao PV, Gan SH. Cinnamon: A multifaceted medicinal plant. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003790/. Published 2014.
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Home > Skin & Beauty > Skin Conditions > Get Rid of Hickeys: 10 Home Remedies
Hickeys are essentially bruises that occur when tiny blood vessels called capillaries located right under the skin are damaged or rupture due to suction or biting. The blood that leaks from the broken capillaries collects in the surrounding tissue and appears as reddish-purple spots on the surface.
This type of bruising is completely harmless but may cause slight stinging or tenderness upon touching.
Just like any other bruise, a hickey may take a while to heal completely. However, certain remedies may help lighten it quicker and make it hurt less.
Note: Give a hickey time to heal. Like any other bruise, it will heal slowly on its own without aggressive treatments.
Here are a few simple remedies that can help you get rid of a hickey faster:
Cold compresses are a great way to soothe any painful bruise , including hickeys. (1) (2)
The application of freezing temperature helps desensitize the underlying nerve endings so that you feel less pain. It does so by restricting blood flow to the targeted area, which has a numbing effect and relieves inflammation and redness. (3)
Gentle massages with a cold compress may help decrease coagulation by moving the blood cells away from the affected area.
Applying heat to a bruise increases blood circulation under the skin. This helps disperse the leaked blood cells collected in the area, fading the bruising and redness.
It is best to use a warm compress a day or two after getting the hickey, as this is when the damaged blood capillaries start to heal.
Note: Cold compresses should be used in the early stages of developing the bruise to prevent it from spreading. Warm compresses should be used at least one day later to help the bruise heal.
Aloe vera contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce redness and inflammation . Aloe vera gel can calm the skin and decrease any pain or swelling on your hickey. (4)
Hence, the topical application of aloe vera may help heal hickeys or bruises.
Massaging a hickey can stimulate blood flow to the area. This helps relieve pain and fades the bruise by triggering reabsorption of the coagulated blood cells.
Massage the area with some warm olive oil or coconut oil for maximum benefit. (5)
Vitamin K is an anticoagulant that prevents blood clots. (6) It helps in the absorption of leaked blood cells by the body tissues. (7)
Thrombophob Gel is a topical medication containing heparin. It can help treat bruises and dissolve blood clots. Thrombophob Gel can be applied to a hickey to fade it faster.
Apply the Vitamin K cream or Thrombophob Gel at least twice a day to the affected area.
Vitamin C can help reduce a hickey by boosting collagen production, thus stimulating repair of damaged skin. (8) Collagen is a protein found in skin cells that helps keep the skin tight and fresh. (9)
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Cold coins or spoons can work as a cold compress for your skin. (10)
Cinnamon oil contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help heal a bruise. It also improves blood circulation to the area when applied topically. (11)
Green tea helps reduce inflammation and swelling. (12) It also contains soothing properties that can help get rid of redness and discoloration.
Arnica is an herb that is widely used in homeopathic treatments for treating wounds and bruises. Arnica helps heal hickeys by stimulating blood flow to the area, dispersing coagulated blood cells, and decreasing inflammation. (13)
Disclaimer: Always dilute arnica oil with a carrier oil before applying it to the skin.
A hickey will take some time to disappear completely, but here are some quick makeup tricks to camouflage the bruising while it heals:
A hickey generally heals within a week or two. In rare cases, it may persist for almost a month. If you suffer from any condition that delays healing (such as diabetes or autoimmune disorders), your hickeys may last longer than normal.
Hickeys can be embarrassing, to say the least. However, they are very common and usually do not cause further harm.
Let the bruise heal naturally and you should be good to go in a week. You can try any of the remedies given above to increase the rate of healing. Avoid poking, scraping, or touching your hickeys aggressively as that only makes them worse.
This site provides content for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of a medical concern or emergency, please consult your healthcare provider.

© 2019 eMediHealth . All rights reserved.
© 2019 eMediHealth . All rights reserved.

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Your hickey doesn’t stand a chance.
Let’s be real: Hickeys aren’t just reserved for inexperienced teenagers making out in their cars. Unfortunately, they don’t discriminate when it comes to making their mark on skin—anyone is vulnerable to the horror of a hickey. Whether you notice one on your neck the night before an important meeting or a hickey lingers during dinner with your grandparents, no one enjoys dealing with these love bites. So, you’ve probably reached a point in the past when you wondered how to get rid of a hickey.
Unfortunately, there’s no magic cream or clear-cut trick that will instantly get rid of a hickey. Remember, hickeys are actually bruises, so like any other mark, it will take some time to disappear. However, dermatologists and skincare experts offered some tried and true tips for how to get rid of a hickey. (And if all else fails, reach for your makeup bag.)
If you’ve woken up after a passionate night in bed, looked in the mirror, and noticed bruised skin on your neck (or hey—anywhere on your body), we’re guessing you let a few curse words slip out. Your next train of thought might have been annoyance at whoever branded you. But have you ever stopped to think, “How did this even happen?”
“A hickey is a deep red or purple bruise on the skin that is caused by suction,” Board-Certified Dermatologist of Riverchase Dermatology, Dr. Stacy Chimento, tells HelloGiggles. “Intense suction and pressure on the skin can result in bursted blood vessels. These blood vessels release tiny amounts of blood when broken, which gives a hickey its red/purple color.”
So, you’ve accepted that you have a hickey to deal with. Now, how do you get rid of it? (Because turtleneck tops aren’t always an option during warm weather days.) Above all else, timelines are key; Dr. Chimento recommends tending to your hickey as soon as possible to prevent it from growing darker and bigger.
“As soon as you see a hickey forming on your body, you should apply a cold compress, like an ice pack or a spoon chilled in the freezer,” Dr. Chimento advises. “Cold temperatures can help reduce the blood flow from the broken blood vessel into the skin and stop a bruise from getting darker or larger. Hold a cold compress on the hickey for 10 minutes as many times as possible for the first one to two days.”
Below are five tricks for how to get rid of a hickey, stat.
“Massaging the skin where a hickey is present can regulate blood flow to the area and may be able to help the bruise fade quicker,” Dr. Chimento says. “Try massaging a hickey in circular motions for two to three minutes at a time as many times a day as possible—if the bruise is still prominent after the first two days.”
As Dr. Chimento mentioned, a cold compress can help stop the hickey in its tracks, preventing it from spreading across more skin. So, the whole
spoon-in-the-freezer trick isn’t a myth after all. Anything cold, like a bag of frozen food or an ice roller will do the trick, too.
“Arnica gel helps speed up the body’s healing process and stimulates circulation which aids in reducing swelling, bruising, and pain,” Dr. Chimento explains. “Applying arnica gel one to two times a day to a hickey may reduce its discoloration and help it heal at a faster rate.”
“To help the healing rate of a hickey, you need to use something that will help the skin heal and repair, like vitamin E cream, aloe vera gel, or essential oils,” aesthetician Alison Angold tells HelloGiggles. “Lavender, chamomile and marjoram are particularly good at healing bruises, while clary sage and bergamot are good for reducing the redness and inflammation in the area, and sandalwood specifically reduces the redness of broken capillaries. Remember to dilute the essential oils in a carrier substance before applying to the skin.”
Surprisingly, there are certain foods that help bruises heal faster. For example, pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that helps bring down swelling and inflammation. Plus, vitamin K helps your body absorb clots of pooled blood (like those in a hickey), so fuel up on foods rich in Vitamin K, like kale, broccoli, spinach, and brown rice. It can’t hurt, right?
If you have no luck with the tricks above, you might have to resort to concealing rather than healing until the hickey goes away on its own.
If you have long enough hair to cover a neck hickey, take advantage of it. Simply position your hair so it hides the hickey, and make sure you keep it there while you talk to other people.
If you don’t have long hair or it doesn’t reach the spot where the hickey is, you might have to opt for a turtleneck, scarf, or thick necklace to hide the love bite.
As a last resort, reach for your makeup bag to get the job done. “Concealing a hickey can be a little tricky but not impossible,” makeup artist Desireé Delia tells HelloGiggles. “First, you want to prime the area with your favorite primer. Then, apply a layer of green color corrector to cancel out any bruising, and then finish
by applying concealer and foundation to smooth out area and complete coverage.”
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Kidshealth.org: “What’s a Bruise?”
Cleveland Clinic: “Bruises.”
Mayo Clinic: “Bruise: First Aid,” “Magnesium Sulfate.”
Dermatologic Surgery : “Comparative study on bruise reduction treatments after bruise induction using the pulsed dye laser,” “Is There a Role for Arnica and Bromelain in Prevention of Post-Procedure Ecchymosis or Edema? A Systematic Review of the Literature.”
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology : “The Management of Bruising Following Nonsurgical Cosmetic Treatment,” “Peroxide as a Novel Treatment for Ecchymoses.”
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: “Evening Primrose Oil,” “Bitter Orange.”
Ugeskr Laeger : “Love bite on the neck resulted in an embolic stroke.”

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How To Heal A Hickey

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