10 Ways to Get Rid of a Hickey Fast

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Plus, learn how to cover it up in the while it heals
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A hickey, also referred to as a "love bite," is a temporary mark on the skin caused by biting or sucking. It will typically clear up on its own in a week or two, but there are some things you can do to hide it or speed up its disappearance. Read on to discover the best tricks for getting rid of a neck hickey quickly, as well as tips to cover it up while you wait for it to heal.

Getting Rid of a Hickey: Quick Tips

Apply a cold compress in the first 48 hours, then switch to a warm compress. Apply topical creams with arnica, vitamin C, or vitamin K to the bruise. If you only have household items, try cocoa butter, banana peels, or pineapple flesh. While you wait for the hickey to heal, cover it with a color-correcting concealer.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Remove Hickeys

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  1. Use a cold compress in the first 1-2 days after getting your hickey. Wrap a homemade ice pack in a towel and place it on the hickey as soon as possible to help constrict your blood vessels and reduce swelling. This process may make the mark look less noticeable. Leave the ice on the hickey for up to 20 minutes at a time, with 1-2 hours between each application. [1]
    • If your hickey is still swollen or visible after two days, apply a warm compress (like a heating pad or a cloth soaked in warm water) to the area (you can make your own with this guide !). Heat therapy helps to open up blood vessels and increase blood flow, which can speed up healing.
    • Apply heat for up to 20 minutes at a time. Repeat several times a day, but make sure to give your chance to return to its normal temperature after each application—otherwise, you may burn your skin!
  2. Arnica and bromelain are natural ingredients (an herb and a fruit enzyme, respectively) that have been shown in some studies to remove bruising. [2] Similarly, Vitamin K and Vitamin C have been shown to speed up bruise and skin healing. [3] Look for topical creams and gels with these ingredients, then apply them directly to the skin according to package directions. [4]
    • You can also eat foods high in vitamin C and K, although this method probably won’t remove your hickeys as quickly.
    • Examples of foods high in vitamin K are kale, spinach, broccoli, liver, and eggs. [5]
    • Good sources of vitamin C are strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and red peppers. [6] <
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  3. Aloe vera is a natural moisturizer that may help to promote the healing of a hickey. [7] You can purchase a store-bought gel , or you can cut open the leaf of an actual aloe vera plant to use the fresh gel. Smooth a thick layer of aloe vera onto your hickey and leave it on for about 10 minutes. Then, wipe away the aloe vera with a tissue. Do this twice per day until your hickey has healed. [8]
  4. Some claim that holding the inside of a banana peel against a bruise can help to cool the area and reduce its size (although there’s no conclusive scientific evidence to back this claim). [9] Peel a banana and place the inside of the peel onto your hickey. Hold it there for up to 30 minutes, then wipe away any excess banana residue with a tissue or damp cloth. [10]
  5. 5
    Apply diluted peppermint oil to your hickey. The main component of peppermint oil is menthol, which can stimulate blood flow and help speed up bruise healing. [11] Combine 1 or 2 drops of peppermint essential oil with a carrier oil like jojoba or almond oil . Gently massage the mixture into your hickey, using a very light amount of pressure. [12]
    • Keep in mind that peppermint oil can also irritate the skin, so you may want to avoid this method if your skin is sensitive.
  6. 6
    Slather cocoa butter onto the hickey 1-2 times daily. Some claim that cocoa butter works well to smooth out scars, reduce stretch marks, and eliminate other dark marks on the skin—although no studies have proved this to be 100% true. [13] It can also improve skin elasticity, which may improve the appearance of a bruise or hickey. [14] Take a generous dollop of cocoa butter and apply it to your hickey once or twice a day. Apply the cream with a very light amount of pressure to avoid worsening the bruise.
  7. 7
    Place a slice of pineapple on the hickey. Pineapple contains a high amount of bromelain, which is an enzyme shown to reduce pain and soreness and ease inflammation and swelling. [15] Take a slice of fresh pineapple and place it onto your hickey for 10-15 minutes. Repeat 4-5 times a day. [16]
    • Keep in mind that pineapple is highly acidic, so it could irritate the delicate skin of your neck if you have sensitive skin.
  8. 8
    Consider gently massaging the area. Some research has shown that massages help to increase blood flow to injured areas, which should speed up the healing and removal of your hickey. [17] Use your fingertips, a jade roller, or a comb to gently massage the hickey. Avoid working your tool too deep into the injury—if you press too hard, you risk worsening the hickey, so this method should be used with caution. [18]
  9. While some treatments may speed healing and reduce the appearance of your hickey, it will take some time to heal. If giving and receiving hickeys is a regular part of your make-out sessions, then you may want to ask your partner to focus on another region of your body that is not visible or injured. [19]
    • A hickey—a bruise or hematoma—is an injury. You should rest the area just like you would any other type of bruise.
  10. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, stop using them while you have a hickey. Smoking decreases your blood supply and may delay the healing of the hickey. [20]
    • Speak to your doctor if you want to quit smoking . There are medications and smoking cessation programs available that may make it easier for you to quit. [21]
    • If you are underage, it's an especially bad idea to smoke. Your body is still developing and smoking can interfere with this process. Talk to your parents, a trusted family member, or a school counselor if you've started smoking. Explain to them that you would like to take steps to be healthier and want help quitting.
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Cover Up a Hickey

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  1. “A fresh hickey has red or purple tones, which you’ll first color-correct with a green or yellow color-correcting cream,” instructs professional makeup artist Ivy Boyd. Then, “go in with a concealer that matches or is one shade lighter than your skin tone. Set with powder.”
    • “If the hickey has progressed into a yellow, green, or blue bruise,” Boyd clarifies, “you will likely need a more peachy color corrector followed by concealer and powder.”
    • For a longer staying power, apply primer to the hickey before your green , yellow , or pink color-correcting concealer .
    • Gently dab the area around the concealer using a makeup sponge until it blends gradually into your natural skin. You should not be able to notice you're wearing concealer when you look in the mirror.
  2. Clothing with high collars can help conceal the hickey for a day or so. Go for turtlenecks that completely conceal your neck, or try popping the collar on a collared shirt. [22]
    • A turtleneck is probably a better option, as a collared shirt may not completely conceal the hickey.
    • Keep in mind that people may get suspicious if you're wearing shirts that conceal your neck for several days in a row (especially if the weather doesn’t call for it!). Try concealing with a shirt for a day or two and then switch to another method.
  3. Wearing a neck-covering accessory can be a cute way to conceal the hickey while adding a little flair to your outfit. A scarf, bandana, or even chunky jewelry—like a chain necklace—can temporarily conceal or distract from a hickey. [23]
    • Much like covering your hickey with clothing, people may get suspicious if this is your go-to method for days. Try to add some variation to the accessories you use and move on to another method or excuse after a day or two.
  4. If you have longer hair, you may be able to cover up your neck area with it. This is probably not a great solution for full-day coverage, but it can be used if you need to temporarily conceal the hickey. For example, maybe you’re hiding the hickey from your parents. If they pop into your room unexpectedly, you can quickly move your hair over the hickey.
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Section 3 of 4:

How long do hickeys last without treatment?

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  1. Hickeys typically last for about 3 days to 2 weeks. Hickeys are superficial bruises that sit on the surface of your skin. Because they’re superficial, they’re likely to have a shorter healing time than a deeper bruise (like a black eye). Most hickeys go away within 3-5 days. However, if your hickey is especially deep, it could take up to 2 weeks to disappear completely. [24]
Section 4 of 4:

Can you remove a hickey with toothpaste?

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  1. No, toothpaste has not been shown to effectively get rid of hickeys. While there are some anecdotal claims of using toothpaste as a hack to immediately get rid of hickeys , scientific evidence says otherwise. Plus, scrubbing your skin with toothpaste could potentially irritate it and make the hickey look even more noticeable. [25]
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Join the Discussion...

How can I make a hickey go away fast?
WikiGiraffeWalker458
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?
wikiHow Editorial Team
To make a hickey go away fast, try these tips:
  • Apply a cool compress immediately after you get the hickey: this will help slow down blood flow to the area and may minimize the size of the bruise that forms.
  • Apply a warm compress for 5-10 minutes a few times a day if the hickey is more than a day old: this may make it easier for trapped blood beneath the skin to break down or be reabsorbed.
  • Apply OTC healing creams and gels, especially ones that contain arnica, vitamin C, bromelain, or vitamin K.
A hickey isn't any cause for concern and it'll go away on its own. But in the meantime, you can cover it up with a scarf, turtleneck, or makeup if you don't want people to see it.
Ivy Boyd
Makeup Artist
A hickey is essentially a bruise, and the coloring differs depending on the life cycle of healing it’s in, but you can color correct and conceal to cover it up. A fresh hickey has red or purple tones, which you can color correct with a green or yellow color correcting cream. Then, go in with a concealer that matches or is one shade lighter than your skin tone. Set the makeup with powder. If the hickey has progressed into a yellow/green/blue bruise, you will likely need a more peachy color corrector first, then the concealer and powder.
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  • Question
    Is it possible that it can go away in one or two days?
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Registered Nurse
    Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse based in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to her nursing career, she also works as a Healthcare Content Strategist & Writer, helping businesses and non-profits market their products and services to healthcare provider organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare services vendors. Jennifer’s areas of expertise include pharmaceuticals & life sciences, health technology, medical devices & diagnostics, health insurance & managed care, and healthcare services & facilities. Her certification as a Registered Nurse was issued by the Maryland Board of Nursing. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Marketing and Finance. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    A hickey will most likely not disappear in 1 or 2 days, unless it is very minor and superficial without any bruising involved. Typically, it takes one to two weeks to completely resolve.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 29 Helpful 167
  • Question
    What's the best method to get rid of my hickey if it's a day or two old? Ice or the warm compress method?
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Registered Nurse
    Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse based in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to her nursing career, she also works as a Healthcare Content Strategist & Writer, helping businesses and non-profits market their products and services to healthcare provider organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare services vendors. Jennifer’s areas of expertise include pharmaceuticals & life sciences, health technology, medical devices & diagnostics, health insurance & managed care, and healthcare services & facilities. Her certification as a Registered Nurse was issued by the Maryland Board of Nursing. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Marketing and Finance. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    After 48 hours, if the area still has swelling, a warm compress is best. Up to 48 hours, ice is best to reduce swelling.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 28 Helpful 123
  • Question
    Can a lipstick cap remove a hicky?
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Registered Nurse
    Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse based in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to her nursing career, she also works as a Healthcare Content Strategist & Writer, helping businesses and non-profits market their products and services to healthcare provider organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare services vendors. Jennifer’s areas of expertise include pharmaceuticals & life sciences, health technology, medical devices & diagnostics, health insurance & managed care, and healthcare services & facilities. Her certification as a Registered Nurse was issued by the Maryland Board of Nursing. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Marketing and Finance. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.
    Jennifer Boidy, RN
    Registered Nurse
    Expert Answer
    This is not a proven method, but more of an old-wives tale remedy. It probably won't be harmful to try, but it's very unlikely it will be of any help.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 28 Helpful 117
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      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • If you can't get it to go away cover it up with makeup, a scarf, or bandages. You can always tell people you got cut from something and needed to put a bandage on it, and they'll never know.
      • A hickey is a bruise and there's not too much you can do to make it go away. It has to heal on its own, so be patient.
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      Warnings

      • You should never try to drain the blood in the hickey with a needle. This can cause more damage and can also seriously hurt you.
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      • There are many products and remedies that claim to remove hickeys or bruises, but you should be wary of using them. Remember that hickeys—and bruises—go away as your body reabsorbs the blood and this isn't something you can speed up. [26] Taking or applying unverified supplements or trying home remedies may not get rid of your hickey quickly and may have also have other medical consequences.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://health.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/sextalk_10.11.17_online_0.pdf
      2. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5367875/
      3. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12140470/
      4. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hydrocortisone-for-skin/how-and-when-to-use-hydrocortisone-for-skin/
      5. ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002407.htm
      6. ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002404.htm
      7. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6330525/
      8. ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/aloe
      9. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11094818/
      1. ↑ https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/beauty/body/a30975893/how-to-get-rid-of-a-hickey/
      2. ↑ http://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34834317/
      3. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/peppermint-oil/
      4. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18715434/
      5. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18822039/
      6. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3529416/
      7. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/internet-hickey-hacks
      8. ↑ https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00437.2019
      9. ↑ https://health.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/sextalk_10.11.17_online_0.pdf
      10. ↑ https://health.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/sextalk_10.11.17_online_0.pdf
      11. ↑ https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart/smoking
      12. ↑ https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/smoking-and-cancer/how-do-i-stop-smoking
      13. ↑ https://health.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/sextalk_10.11.17_online_0.pdf
      14. ↑ https://health.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/sextalk_10.11.17_online_0.pdf
      15. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-rid-of-a-hickey
      16. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-rid-of-a-hickey
      17. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15235-bruises

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to remove a hickey immediately, your best option is to hide it. Try wearing a turtleneck, collared shirt, or a cute scarf around your neck for a few days until the hickey fades on its own. You can also try covering up a fresh hickey with green concealer. Use a makeup sponge to blend the concealer into your skin seamlessly. If the hickey has faded to a yellow or greenish color, cover it up with a pink or peach concealer instead. Applying an ice pack to a new hickey can constrict blood vessels and may make the mark less noticeable. Wrap the ice pack in a clean cloth and place it on the affected area for 20 minutes. You can ice the hickey several times a day as long as you wait 1-2 hours in between applications. If you’ve had the hickey for at least 2 days and it’s still really swollen, try applying a warm compress to increase blood flow and promote healing. Place a heating pad or cloth soaked in warm water over the affected area for 20 minutes. You can repeat this several times a day as long as you give your skin a chance to return to normal temperature after each application. Eating foods high in vitamin C and vitamin K may also speed up healing. Examples of foods high in vitamin K are kale, spinach, broccoli, liver, and eggs. Good sources of vitamin C are strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and red peppers. How long your hickey lasts depends on how dark the bruise is, but most hickeys fade completely within 10-14 days. To learn how to cover up a hickey while you wait for it to heal, scroll down!

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