Giving or receiving a hickey is pretty easy and for some even pleasurable. Even though receiving a hickey in the heat of the moment may feel good at the time, the momentary pleasure you get from it, simply isn’t worth all the trouble and embarrassment it causes afterwards. While some people wear a hickey like a badge of pride, others find it really embarrassing and want to get rid of the hickey as fast as possible.
What is a hickey?
A hickey or a love bite is just like any other bruise, e hemorrhage below the skin caused by excessive sucking. When the soft skin is sucked hard, the blood vessel below the skin’s surface rupture, pouring blood into the surrounding tissue. Since the blood in that area doesn’t receive oxygen and dries out, the hickey immediately turns red, dark purple or brown in color.
There are many effective methods for getting rid of hickey in a relatively short time. However, keep in mind that hickeys are just like average bruises, therefore it will take some time to heal completely. Don’t expect miracles or fast results – these home remedies will simply speed up the healing process. If you’re wondering how to get rid of the hickey fast, check out our list of the best hickey removal methods worth trying:
Ice
This method is most effective in the first 12 to 24 hours after receiving a hickey. Wrap some ice cubes in a clean towel and press the cold compress lightly against the affected area. Remove the ice for several minutes, and then repeat the process. The ice will minimize the swelling caused by the hickey by reducing the amount of blood flowing from the ruptured blood vessel.
You can also put a spoon in the freezer for a few minutes and then hold the cold spoon to the skin for ten to fifteen minutes. Repeat this process every hour the first day of receiving the hickey.
Toothbrush
This method can be quite painful, but really effective when it comes to reducing hickeys. Lightly brush the hickey and the area around it with a stiff-bristled toothbrush to break up the clotted blood and stimulate blood circulation. This process will restore nutrient supply to the area and your hickey will heal faster. However, don’t press too hard because this can make the appearance of the hickey worse or cause bleeding. Wait about fifteen minutes and then apply a cold compress.
Banana Peel
This is one of the best natural remedies for hickeys. You can use the inside of a banana peel to soothe the surface of the skin and minimize the appearance of the hickey. Banana peel has soothing and cooling properties that will help you get rid of the hickey. All you have to do is to remove the peel from a ripe banana, put them in the fridge to cool them and then place the banana peels on the bruise for about ten to twenty minutes. Repeat the procedure two or three times and your hickey will be gone within a day.
Coin
The coin method is slightly painful but is highly recommended if you want to get rid of your “love bite”. You will have to hold and stretch the affected area so that the skin is well stretched out. Then, using a large coin, scrape outwards to distort the hickey. Spread the blood clot outwards so that your hickey ends up looking like a scrape mark. Continue repeating this process and applying cold compress until you see some results. This is considered as one of the quickest methods to clear hickeys, but be careful and don’t use a coin on your lips or around your mouth.
Heat
After 24 to 48 hours, if you still have a visible hickey, you can apply heat or warm compress. The warm compress will allow new blood to circulate around the affected area. This will break up the old blood that has made the hickey visible and dark colored by bringing fresh blood to the area. For this method, simply soak a washcloth in warm water and place it on the bruised area for five minutes. Reheat the cloth if necessary and repeat the process for two more times.