How to Get Rid of a Hickey Fast

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A hickey is essentially a bruise created by sucking or biting the skin until the blood vessels below the skin break. Although this highly-recognizable “love bite” may not cause any pain, it can be embarrassing and difficult to conceal. Like most bruises, hickeys take between one to two weeks to heal, but if you treat the wound quickly it may speed up the healing process. Knowing how to treat the bruise and cover up its traces can help you feel more confident and look your best.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Treating the Hickey for the First 48 Hours

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  1. You can use ice or a cold compress, but be sure to wrap it in a towel. [1] Or, put a metal spoon in the freezer, and apply the back side of the spoon directly to the site of the hickey.
  2. Cold helps bruises by reducing swelling and slowing blood circulation. [2] Apply the cold compress for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, several times each day.
    • For best results, use cold treatment in the first 24 to 48 hours after acquiring the bruise. [3]
    • After icing for 10 to 20 minutes, remove the ice pack for at least 10 minutes before reapplying it as needed. [4]
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  3. Certain activities can cause bruises (including hickies) to swell, which may prolong the healing process. For the first 48 hours after you've gotten a hickey, avoid "traumatic" activities, including:
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Caring for the Hickey After 48 Hours

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  1. Ice is only really effective for the first 48 hours. [5] After icing the hickey for 48 hours, you'll want to switch to a warm compress for the remainder of your treatment regimen.
    • Ice heals the broken blood vessels, but heat will help increase blood flow to the area. This will facilitate healing and the reabsorption of blood. [6]
    • Use a hot water bottle or a microwavable heating pad. [7]
    • Do not apply heat therapy for longer than 20 minutes at a time. Don't use heat therapy if you have diabetes or poor circulation. [8]
  2. In addition to applying a warm compress, massaging a bruise like a hickey can help facilitate blood flow to the site of the injury. [9] Common methods of massaging a hickey include rubbing it with your hands or applying pressure using:
    • a toothbrush with stiff bristles [10]
    • a pen cap [11]
    • the cap from a tube of chapstick [12]
  3. Icing, heating, and massaging the skin will all help the bruise heal, but you may want to treat the skin in order to make the physical mark disappear more quickly. No skin treatment will provide instant results, but will help speed up the healing process. [13] Common skin treatments include:
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Covering Up a Hickey

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  1. If you have long hair, you can simply wear your hair down to cover up hickies on your neck and shoulders. [21] Not everyone will have hair long enough to conceal a hickey. Fortunately, if you do not have long hair, there are still plenty of options to cover up your hickey.
  2. While the bruise from a hickey heals, you may want to cover it up so that it is less visible. Try using concealer, foundation, and/or powder to mask the hickey. [22]
    • Makeup should be chosen carefully to match your natural skin tone. [23]
    • In a pinch, you might be able to get away with applying toothpaste to the hickey. This will only work if you have a naturally pale complexion, and is much less efficient than makeup. [24]
  3. Depending on how you typically dress and what time of year it is, there are many ways you can quickly and easily hide your hickey. The key is hiding the hickey in a way that won't draw attention to it. Try concealing the bruise by wearing:
    • a bandage [25]
    • a turtleneck [26]
    • a collard shirt [27]
    • a scarf [28]
    • a hooded sweatshirt [29]
    • a thick, wide necklace [30]
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Join the Discussion...

How can I make a hickey go away fast?
WikiGiraffeWalker458
65
WikiGiraffeWalker458
Okay you guys my bf gave me a hickey and I need to get rid of it asap so my parents don't find out so what's the best thing to do?... Read More
WikiGladeJumper104
2
WikiGladeJumper104
Dip a washcloth in hot water to create a warm compress (but make sure it's not so hot that it will burn you), then press it to your hickey. Hold... Read More
WikiMistLeaper458
1
WikiMistLeaper458
Try putting vitamin K or C cream or Arnica on it which can speed up healing for a bruise (which is what a hickey is).... Read More
See all 7 Replies and
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      Warnings

      • Don’t take aspirin to treat a hickey. This medication can thin the blood and make you bleed more easily. Although hickeys rarely require pain relief, you can take Tylenol or ibuprofen for pain without interrupting your bruise from healing.
        Thanks
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      Things You'll Need

      • Ice
      • Paper towel
      • Spoon
      • Toothbrush
      • Arnica gel
      • Witch hazel
      • Concealer
      • Scarf/accessory

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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02931/Bruises.html
      2. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4483
      3. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4483
      4. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4483
      5. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4483
      6. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      7. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4483
      8. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4483
      9. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      1. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      2. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      3. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      4. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      5. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      6. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      7. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      8. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      9. ↑ Alicia Ramos. Skincare Professional. Expert Interview. 12 June 2019.
      10. ↑ http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02931/Bruises.html
      11. ↑ http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02931/Bruises.html
      12. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      13. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      14. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      15. ↑ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/beauty/How-to-get-rid-of-love-bites/articleshow/33442678.cms
      16. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      17. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      18. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      19. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      20. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/
      21. ↑ https://sexinfoonline.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-hickey/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If it’s the first 48 hours after you’ve gotten a hickey, try getting rid of it by applying ice or a cold compress to the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Doing this can help heal the broken blood vessels that cause the bruising. Since ice is really only effective if applied within the first 48 hours, switch to using a warm compress like a hot water bottle for 20 minutes at a time if you’ve had the hickey for longer. Along with the warm compress, you can massage the hickey to help blood flow to the area. While it won’t give you instant results, you can speed up the healing process by applying a skin treatment like aloe vera or taking a vitamin C, E, or K supplement. For more tips, including how to cover up a hickey, read on!

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