Oh, the infamous hickey—a love bite that tends to stick around a bit too long, causing raised eyebrows at work or awkward questions from family. Whether you want to wear a V-neck without feeling self-conscious or avoid a lecture about ‘what-will-the-neighbours-think,’ read on to discover six proven methods for hickey removal.
Introduction: What Exactly is a Hickey?
Understanding Your Love Bite
A hickey is a small bruise caused by the suction from your partner’s mouth—generally, a result of a passionate moment. Essentially, the suction causes capillaries to break, releasing blood that clots under the skin, forming what is effectively a ‘love bruise.’
The Ice Method
Cool It Down Fast
One of the quickest ways to treat a hickey is to apply ice or a cold compress. This method helps reduce swelling and constrict broken blood vessels. Wrap the ice in a cloth and hold it against the hickey for about 15 minutes. I once had a hickey right before a job interview, and let me tell you, a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel was a life-saver!
Heat Therapy
Warming Up to Dissolve It
If the hickey has been around for at least 48 hours, you can apply heat to enhance blood flow and aid healing. A warm towel or a hot water bottle can do the trick. Just make sure not to overdo it; you don’t want to end up with a burn!
Aloe Vera
Nature’s Healing Gel
Aloe Vera is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties. Applying natural Aloe Vera gel can expedite the healing process and reduce sensitivity. I once borrowed a leaf from my flatmate’s Aloe Vera plant when I had a stubborn hickey that wouldn’t fade. It was a game-changer!
Vitamin K Creams
The Blood-Clot Buster
Vitamin K helps absorb pooled blood and speeds up the healing process. You can get a Vitamin K-based cream from most pharmacies. According to Healthline, applying Vitamin K to the area can help accelerate healing.
The Toothbrush Method
Gentle Scrubbing for Faster Healing
This one’s a bit unconventional but effective. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to gently brush the hickey and the area around it. This stimulates blood circulation, breaking up the clot and aiding its absorption into the bloodstream.
Bananas: The Peel Technique
Fruit to the Rescue
Banana peels have soothing and cooling properties that can help minimise a hickey. Simply place the inner part of the peel on the bruise and let it sit for 10 to 30 minutes.
Hickey Myths Debunked
Untrue Remedies to Avoid
There’s a wealth of hickey remedies that are just myths and won’t bring you any closer to a clear neck. Some people suggest using a coin to scrape the skin. This is not only ineffective but can also make the situation worse by causing additional bruising or even a scrape.
How to Conceal a Hickey
If You Can’t Beat Them, Hide Them
If you’re in a pinch and need to head out, you can always rely on makeup to conceal your love bite. A combination of green concealer to neutralise the redness followed by a skin-matching concealer can make your hickey practically invisible. When I had a hickey I couldn’t get rid of before a friend’s wedding, makeup truly was my knight in shining armour.
Medical Concerns and Hickeys
When to Consult a Professional
Although hickeys are generally harmless, they can sometimes lead to more serious conditions like hematoma. If your hickey isn’t improving after a few days, or if it seems unusually large or painful, it’s worth getting medical advice. Mayo Clinic provides some guidelines on when a bruise might warrant medical attention.
Practical Ways to Prevent Hickeys
An Ounce of Prevention
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. If you’re not keen on sporting a love bruise for several days, you can always request your partner to avoid the neck area or to be gentler. Clear communication with your partner can go a long way in preventing any unwelcome hickeys.
The Cultural Perspective
Why We Make a Big Deal of a Small Bruise
Interestingly, hickeys often carry a cultural or social stigma, seen as a mark of ‘impropriety.’ However, they’re a universal human experience, something that happens across cultures and social groups. It’s high time we destigmatise the hickey and acknowledge it for what it is—a temporary mark left from a moment of passion.
Bye-Bye Hickey!
Nobody wants an unintentional long-term commitment from a fleeting moment of passion. Whether it’s ice, heat, or even a humble banana, there’s likely a hickey removal method that works for you.
