Kissing is probably one of the most beautiful things in the world. A passionate smooch can quickly result in a hickey. What is still the hot proof of love one moment, we are often embarrassed the next day. Wondering how to get rid of a hickey? Then read on now!
Kissing is fun, but the memory of the hours spent together as a couple is something you'd rather keep to yourself.
You certainly don't want to take that unpopular hickey souvenir on your neck or cleavage to a meeting, school, or dinner at your in-laws the next day.
Quick help is needed. Don't worry, because we'll explain how to get rid of your unwelcome hickey, what you should definitely not do and how you can save yourself from hickey misery with simple styling tips.
Table of contents
What is a hickey
Attention it becomes briefly unromantic. A hickey is nothing more than a bruise.
It develops like a normal bruise.
In the case of hickey, however, neither bumps nor falls are to blame for the bruise.
The negative pressure when you suck or bite lightly when you kiss causes small blood vessels to burst. The blood then escapes under the skin and spreads to the surrounding tissue.
The hickey turns the typical colors of a bruise: red, blue, green and yellow. And like other bruises, it stays like this for one to four weeks.
That sounds really anything but sexy! High time to find out how you can get rid of the uninvited guest called hickey!
Especially sensitive areas like the neck are susceptible to bright red hickeys. The skin is very thin here.
By the way, in the Kama Sutra, a hickey is a sign that you're taken and have a super fulfilling love life.
This is what the zodiac signs really stand for in bed!
How to get rid of a fresh hickey
After passionate kissing action, you need to cool down immediately - and not under the cold shower! If you discover the kissing damage while it's still fresh, it's best to repair it.
Your sweetheart has once again sucked a little too hard? Then quickly something cool on the just still so hot kissed spot.
A cold pack, ice cubes or the good (k)old bag of frozen peas should help. The cold will help you get rid of the hickey.
Cooling stops further spreading of blood. The swelling subsides slightly and the stain appears more inconspicuous.
No ice cream or similar in the fridge? We have an emergency tip for you: Put a spoon in the freezer and then press the curved side of the spoon onto the hickey. Admittedly, this doesn't sound very romantic, but it can help to get rid of the hickey.
Erotic dreaming? That's what it means!
How to get rid of an older hickey
Hand on heart - usually a few hours pass before you think about rescue measures in case of a hickey. After the wild smooching, people often continue fooling around or simply fall asleep.
But can you still do something if the stain has already made itself visibly felt? Yes, gentle heat is our tip against older hickeys.
You are doing exactly the opposite of "treating" a fresh stain. Heat stimulates your blood circulation. The blood that created the unsightly hickey is removed more quickly. You can get rid of the hickey especially effectively if you heat it up several times a day.
You can use a washcloth/towel soaked in hot water or a hot water bottle. Of course, you can also combine these measures with a relaxing wellness session. A sauna and a hot bubble bath are not only good for you, they also help you get rid of the bruise more quickly.
Our SOS tip for older stains: Mix vinegar, lemon juice and warm water together and massage it into the affected area. This mixture can help get rid of the hickey and keep it small. The acid has blood flow stimulating properties that can work directly in the top layer of the skin.
If heat does not help, you can help with wound and healing ointments. Most pharmacies sell ointments for bruises without a prescription.
You may already know such ointments from the treatment of sports injuries. Voltaren ointment and heparin ointment are considered miracle cures for hickey alarm. In any case, consult a pharmacist and pay attention to the dosage of the ointment.
Did you know that kissing strengthens the immune system?
What you can do if he does not disappear
If the hickey is particularly stubborn or very bothersome, cold and heat sometimes don't help. Time for the heavy guns. Styling instead of ointments!
There are two options for you: either you reach for matching accessories or make-up. If the small troublemaker sits on the neck or in the décolleté area, fortunately, some items of clothing are suitable for covering up. A turtleneck, scarf or bandana - you can hide the stain underneath. If you have long hair, you should definitely wear it loose. This is a good cover-up aid especially in summer.
Alternatively, you can of course help cosmetically. Especially at high temperatures, it is not pleasant to wear a scarf, for example, or it just looks stupid.
Camouflage or high coverage makeup helps best. A green concealer can also help you.
The green color is usually to cover redness on the face and also fades light tissue injuries very well. Both have one advantage: you can get rid of the hickey immediately.
What you should not do
There are some myths around the topic of getting rid of hickeys. One of them is that toothpaste should help.
We say: better not to try it. Toothpaste does contain an ingredient (sodium dodecyl polysulfate) that can speed up the healing of pimples and hickeys, but many other substances can irritate your skin and make that easy bruise worse! So with toothpaste, stick to your teeth where it belongs.
Our conclusion
Kissing is beautiful! Even if it got a little too hot, you don't have to go to work, school or the in-laws with a hickey. How you can get rid of the hickey, you know now, yes fortunately. That way, making out is twice as much fun!
To browse further:
* Advertising & affiliate links: Our website is financed by advertising and affiliate links. As a partner of linked stores (e.g. Amazon) we earn from qualified sales.
Read more
