Hickeys are quite taboo. The majority of them are unintentionally obtained. They are presented in the form of red or purple spots of the skin. These marks are produced by sucking or biting them. Hickey is not something to fear but it can be very embarrassing. And that too when it is at the neck where people can see it actually.
Most people would like to get rid of the hickeys as soon as possible. The good news is that, yep, you can increase the healing process. It is possible to do it by some harmless and simple methods. You will not need to invest much money in treatment. Mild and natural methods will help to remove a hickey at home.
This article explains how to get hickeys off your neck using proven remedies. It also includes some prevention suggestions of the same. We will start.
What Is a Hickey and How Does It Happen?
Hickey is a form of bruise. It develops as a result of the breaking of blood vessels under the skin. These ruptured vessels spill blood within this tissue. That blood becomes trapped within and it ends up as a red or purple mark. The skin can be tender, swollen a little or have a warm sensation. The majority of the hickeys are seen on parts of the body that are soft including the neck.
The cause is normally hard kissing or sucking of the skin. This causes pressure that ruptures the capillaries. Hickeys are not very painful. Nevertheless, they are quite obvious. Very frequently people like to conceal or get rid of them as fast as they can.
A hickey does not have any harmful effect but it takes time to go away. It may take place between 3 days to 10 days. Given the proper treatment, it can recover quicker. They will demonstrate this in the following paragraphs.
What to Do Right After You Get a Hickey
When you realize that you have a hickey early, begin the medication. Time is of essence in reducing its size and color. This is aimed at preventing skin bleeding.
Use a Cold Compress
A cold is useful in getting rid of swelling and bleeding. It constricts the blood vessels too. This is in order to avoid spreading of the hickey.
To apply:
- Take a spoon and leave it in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- or put ice in a clean cloth.
- Apply it on the hickey and press it gently to hold on for 10 minutes.
- Wait, one hour, and repeat.
This is effective within the first 12hours. Apply cold treatments at the earliest.
Gently Massage the Area
A light massage can be used after a cold. This assists in the flowing of the blood as well as making the blood less dark. but be not too hasty; it may be overdone by too general rubbing.
Try this:
- Use two fingers that are used in a circular motion over the hickey.
- or brush of rilling tender / or clean coin.
- You will do this for 5-10 minutes.
- Do it two times a day three times a day.
The effect of massage is that the blood under the skin distributes. It enhances delivery of blood to the body thus accelerating the healing process.
Natural Remedies to Help Fade Hickeys
On the second day use mild home remedies. These home remedies are very safe and convenient.
Apply Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is skin friendly. It reduces inflammation, heals and cools. It also has the potential of speeding up bruises.
To use:
- Add a drop of aloe vera gel on the hickey.
- Gently rub on it.
- Soak it in 10 minutes and clean it off.
- Say the repetitions 2 to 3 times daily.
Aloe vera is good for sensitive skin. It is calming and assists in redness and swelling.
Use Vitamin K Cream or Foods
Vitamin K assists the body in healing bruises. It assists in faster clotting of your blood, and comes in handy when you have hickeys.
Apply it in such a form:
- Purchase a cream that has Vitamin K in it.
- On the hickey two times a day.
- Eat also foods that contain a lot of Vitamin K such as spinach, kale, broccoli, or lettuce.
This assists externally and internally.
Try Banana Peel
Banana peel sounds very weird but is very effective. The interior of the peel is cooler in nature. It assists in diminishing discoloring.
To use:
- Take a slip of banana peel.
- The inside part is placed on the hickey.
- Set aside at 10 to 15 minutes.
- Repeat two times a day.
It is an affordable approach.
Use a Warm Compress After Two Days
Subsequently, cold treatment ceases after a period of 48 hours. Here apply heat in place of this. Heat contributes to the increase of blood flow. It assists your body to absorb the blood trapped behind the skin.
Experiment in this way:
- Wet a sanitary cloth using warm water.
- Wrap it out of it and put it on the hickey.
- 9 to 15 minutes, leave it.
- Repeat it 2 to 3 times a day.
They ensure that the towel is hot and not burning hot. This is because heat therapy enables the hickey to heal naturally and quicker.
How to Cover Up a Hickey with Makeup
There are emergencies when you need a quick fix. Makeup can hide your hickey in case you have seen it, and need to go outside. It will not treat the hickey but conceal it very well.
It can be done this way:
- The first is a green or yellow color correction. Green neutralises red. Purple tones are assisted by yellow.
- Then put on a concealer, which is your skin tone.
- It should be carefully blended with a sponge or using fingers.
- Put setting powder to help maintain it.
Apply makeup of a good quality. Reapply as required throughout the day. This comes in handy when your hickey is yet to heal.
Over-the-Counter Products That Help
Ready-made creams are good on bruises. They are available in all drugstores.
- Arnica Gel– decreases swellings and bruising.
- Witch Hazel– Smoothes skin and helps it heal scars.
- Vitamin C Serum -– Vitamin C Serum makes the skin stronger and heals.
- Pain Relievers– In case the region aches, you may use ibuprofen.
Attach an indication of specific warnings on the label before use. If you have a sensitive skin, do a patch test.
Common Myths and Mistakes to Avoid
Every solution is not effective. There are some that can be even painful to the skin. Avoid such common myths:
- Toothpaste– It burns or irritates skin.
- Raw Meat -Not safe and it may make one infected.
- Scrubbing A Coin– This is too harsh and it can give you more hickey.
- Hot Iron / Heated Spoon– Unsafe and it can burn your hands.
Use methods which are safe and tested. Your skin should be taken good care of.
How Long Does a Hickey Last Without Treatment?
A hickey may last between 5 and 10 days without any assistance. There will be a change in color as it heals. To start with, it is red. Then it becomes purple. A few days later it can become green or yellow with mapping, which fades.
Some take shorter periods of healing. Others are too slow. It is a matter of your skin, your health and the size of the hickey. You can save up to 2 to 3 days in the recovery period with the above mentioned treatments.
How to Prevent Hickeys in the Future
It is always good to prevent rather than cure. In case you do not want hickeys:
- Communicate with your partner on the topics of comfort and boundaries.
- There should not be a lot of pressure on sensitive parts such as the neck.
- Be kind in an act of intimacy.
- Use alternatives of expressing love.
Hickeys are not dangerous, but they result in social stresses. It helps to be mindful at the times of closeness.
When Should You See a Doctor?
The majority of hickeys do not require any healthcare. However, rarely, there are some instances to see a doctor, in case of:
- The bruise cannot be cured within 10 to 14 days.
- It either swells up or hurts more.
- You are dizzy or sick.
- The skin is firm or has some infection.
Anyway, it is safer. When something is wrong, make sure to consult the health care provider.
Conclusion
Now you know how to get hickeys off your neck using easy and effective remedies. Early help can be achieved with use of cold compresses. Natural remedies such as aloe vera and vitamin 7 cream can then be used to accelerate the process of healing. The mark can be concealed temporarily with the help of makeup. The hickey can be left alone with time.
However, the most important thing is that you treat your skin softly. Avoid future hickeys by communicating with your partner in an open manner. With easy treatment you will not be burdened.
The next time you have a hickey on your neck do not freak out. These are the tips to follow and you will have it off in no time.
