How To Get Rid Of A Hickey – 13 Simple Ways

Hickeys or love bites are temporary bruises that result from an intense makeout session. More often than not, these bruises stick out like sore thumbs on the body and are difficult to be hidden or concealed. You are quite likely to surf the net, looking for ways to hide a hickey or accelerate its healing to spare yourself the embarrassment. Well, the good news is you are on the right page. Here we have discussed certain natural ways you can alleviate hickeys. Keep reading.

What Is A Hickey? What Causes It?

Hickeys are temporary marks that appear on an individual’s skin as a result of being sucked hard or bitten. A hickey occurs when the tiny blood vessels below the skin surface burst and leak in the surrounding tissues. They can occur almost anywhere on the body.

The affected skin usually looks decolorized and may be tender to touch. You may also notice pink, red, or purplish patches on the site of the hickey. As the lesion heals, you will see it turning a dark shade of blue.

How Long Do Hickeys Last?

These stubborn bruises may take anywhere between a few days to even weeks to heal completely. Unfortunately, if the hickey happens to be anywhere around the neck, it might make things awkward for you at work. But worry not – we have listed below certain natural remedies that help heal hickeys. While there is no instant fix for a hickey, these remedies may accelerate healing.

13 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of A Hickey

1. Cold Compress

It is believed that applying a cold compress to a swollen area may reduce the swelling. The cool temperature may help in slowing down the blood flow from the blood vessel to the skin (1). Applying a cold spoon or ice to the hickey may help in shrinking its appearance. However, this procedure is more likely to be effective when used as soon as the hickey appears.

You Will Need

• A cold spoon or ice

What You Have To Do

• Take a spoon and refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
• Apply the cold spoon to the affected area.
• Stroke the hickey slightly using the spoon for a few minutes.
• Alternately, stroke a cube of ice on the hickey for a few minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 2-3 times daily.

2. Warm Compress

Applying a heat compress to the hickey two days after its appearance may help in speeding up the healing process. Using a heat compress may promote blood circulation to the affected area (1). This may help relieve hickey a lot sooner.

Note: A cold compress is helpful when the lesion is fresh to minimize its spread. A hot compress helps once it has settled to accelerate recovery.

You Will Need

• A warm compress

What You Have To Do

• Apply a warm compress to the affected area.
• Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and remove it.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 2-3 times daily.

3. Massage

Anecdotal evidence suggests that massages may reduce pain and stimulate blood flow, accelerating the healing process. However, a light massage on the affected area is advised. Excess pressure may make the hickey worse.

You Will Need

• An essential oil

What You Have To Do

• Take 2-3 drops of the essential oil in your palm.
• Massage the bruised area lightly without applying too much pressure.

How Often You Should Do This

Twice a day

4. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera possesses anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties (2). Hence, the topical application of aloe vera may help heal hickeys.

You Will Need

• An aloe leaf

What You Have To Do

• Extract the gel from the aloe leaf.
• Mash the gel with a spoon and apply it to the hickey.
• Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse it off.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 2 times daily.

5. Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter contains phytocompounds that impart anti-inflammatory and skin-protective effects (3). These properties may help relieve hickeys.

You Will Need

• Organic cocoa butter (as required)

What You Have To Do

• Take a little cocoa butter on your fingers.
• Apply it to the affected area.
• Massage it in gently.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this multiple times daily for faster results.

6. Arnica

Arnica is a botanical extract rich in antioxidants (4). It is widely used for healing bruises and swelling (5). Hence, topical or oral use of arnica may help in reducing the appearance of a hickey.

You Will Need

• Arnica (in the form of an over-the-counter topical cream)

What You Have To Do

• Apply the topical ointment to the affected area.
• Alternately, you can also take arnica orally in the form of homeopathy medicine.

How Often You Should Do This

If you are using the cream, apply it in the suggested quantities and frequencies. Consult a healthcare provider if you are going for the homeopathy medication.

7. Banana Peel Mask

Banana peel exhibits antimicrobial activity, which may prevent infection in the affected area (6). It is a popular remedy for warts, rashes, and bruises (7). It also may help heal a hickey.

You Will Need

• A fresh banana peel

What You Have To Do

Rub the peel over the hickey for 5-10 minutes or simply place it over the affected area for 20 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this 2-3 times a day. 

8. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus and olive oils have wound-healing properties (8). These could help treat hickeys.

You Will Need

• 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil

What You Have To Do

• Add two to three drops of eucalyptus oil to a teaspoon of olive oil.
• Mix well and apply it to the affected area.
• Leave it on until it dries.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 2-3 times daily.

9. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is known to increase blood flow in the human body (9). Hence, it may help in reducing the size and severity of a hickey.

You Will Need

• Peppermint essential oil
• Carrier oil (coconut or olive oil)

What You Have To Do

• Take 1-2 drops of peppermint oil.
• Add 10-12 drops of the carrier oil.
• Apply the oil mixture to the affected area and massage for 5-10 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this once a day.

Note – Always do a patch test before applying the oils.

10. Bromelain

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple. It is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties (10). Topical application of bromelain may reduce the development of bruises. It may help heal hickeys as well.

You Will Need

• Bromelain cream

What You Have To Do

• Apply the cream on the affected area.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this twice a day.

11. Orange Juice

Orange is replete with vitamin C. The nutrient may help treat bruises (11). It may help in the treatment of hickeys, though research is limited.

You Will Need

• Oranges

What You Have To Do

• Remove the pulp of the orange.
• Use a mixer to make its juice.
• Drink the juice.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this twice a day. 

12. Vitamin K Cream

Vitamin K is known for its blood-clotting process in the human body (12). It is believed that the topical application of vitamin K cream may help heal hickeys. However, research is limited in this regard.

You Will Need

• Vitamin K cream

What You Have To Do

• Apply an ample amount of vitamin K cream to your hickey.
• Alternately, you may take vitamin K supplements or foods rich in vitamin K, including leafy greens or brown rice.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 1-2 times daily.

13. Aspirin

Aspirin aids in pain relief. It also has blood-thinning effects (13). Using aspirin may increase blood circulation in the affected area and speed up the recovery. However, it is important to take aspirin 24 hours after getting a hickey.

You Will Need

• Aspirin tablets

What You Have To Do

• Take the tablet regularly, as advised by your doctor.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once a day.

These remedies may help reduce the appearance of a hickey. However, not all of them have been validated by science. You may also want to consult your doctor before using certain medications and creams. Also, if you have had a hickey for longer than a couple of days, the remedies could take longer than usual to show their effectiveness.

Although there is no instant fix for a hickey, some tips may come in handy when you need to hide it for a few hours.

Best Ways To Cover Up A Hickey

• Wear a high-collar top. This will cover the marks on the visible areas of your body, including your chest and neck.
• Accessorize your clothing with a shawl or scarf to cover the bruise.
• If you have long hair, cover the hickey with it.
• Use a green/purple corrector, concealer, and a foundation to cover the hickey using makeup. Make sure the concealer and foundation match your skin tone.

There are certain remedies you must not follow. Though these are popular, these are not effective – and may instead make your condition worse.

Home Remedies That You Should Avoid

• Rubbing with a coin – Pressing a coin on a hickey may replicate a massage. However, it will involve intense pressure, which will make the hickey worse.
• Rubbing with a lip balm cap – Another popular method is massaging with a lip balm cap. However, there is no evidence that this method could be effective on a hickey.
• Massaging with a toothpaste – Some believe massaging with a toothpaste can help. However, there is no evidence in this regard.

As discussed earlier, hickeys will not magically disappear overnight, no matter what method you try. The remedies discussed in this article may accelerate the healing process. However, they are not foolproof and may not work for all. Hence, if you are looking for a quick solution, try covering your hickey up using any of the tips we have discussed.

Expert’s Answers for Readers Questions

How can I make a hickey disappear ASAP?

There is no way you can make a hickey disappear magically. You have to follow various remedies and give it time to fade away.

How can I cover up a hickey?

From using makeup to wearing a high collared shirt, various ways can help you cover up your hickey.