# How to Get Rid of a Hickey Fast: Top Tips and Effective Remedies

Hickeys, or love bites, are often the result of passionate moments, leaving behind bruises on the skin. While these marks can be fun and playful, they can also become embarrassing when you need to look your best. Whether you're going to work, attending a meeting, or meeting family or friends, there are times when you just can't afford to have a hickey on display. Luckily, there are several effective and quick ways to reduce or eliminate a hickey fast. In this blog post, we’ll explore various remedies and techniques you can try to know [**how to get rid of hickey fast**](http://www.11oysters.com/how-to-get-rid-of-a-hickey/), and restore your smooth, bruise-free skin.

# What Is a Hickey and How Does It Form?

A hickey is a bruise caused by suction or light biting. When someone kisses or sucks on the skin with enough force, small blood vessels under the skin, called capillaries, can break. This results in blood pooling beneath the surface of the skin, which causes the red, purple, or dark spot that characterizes a hickey.

Though hickeys are often harmless, they can be unsightly and sometimes even painful. While they typically heal on their own within 3 to 10 days, if you need a quick fix, there are a few tricks that can help speed up the process and make the mark less noticeable.

# Apply a Cold Compress Immediately
The most effective remedy to deal with a hickey as soon as it happens is to apply a cold compress. Cold therapy works by constricting blood vessels, reducing the swelling and blood flow to the affected area. This prevents the hickey from getting worse and can help minimize its appearance.

**How to Apply a Cold Compress:**
Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean cloth or use an ice pack.
Gently apply it to the hickey for about 10-15 minutes.
Repeat this process a few times throughout the first 24 hours after the hickey forms.
By reducing blood flow to the area, a cold compress can help prevent the bruise from becoming larger and more prominent. The sooner you apply this technique after the hickey forms, the more effective it will be.

# Massage the Area to Improve Circulation
Once the hickey has settled a bit, gentle massage can help break up the blood that has pooled beneath the skin. This improves circulation, which allows the body to reabsorb the blood faster and helps the bruise heal more quickly.

**How to Massage a Hickey:**
Gently rub the hickey with your fingers in circular motions.
Use light pressure to avoid aggravating the bruise.
Massage for about 5-10 minutes a few times a day.
Be cautious when massaging, as too much pressure could worsen the bruise. The goal is to stimulate blood flow to the area and help your body heal the hickey faster.

# Apply a Warm Compress After 24 Hours
After the first 24 hours have passed, you can switch to a warm compress. Heat promotes better blood circulation, which can help speed up the healing process by helping your body absorb the pooled blood. This method works best when the hickey has already had time to set and you’re ready to help it fade faster.

**How to Apply a Warm Compress:**
Soak a clean washcloth in warm water.
Wring it out and apply the warm cloth to the hickey for 10-15 minutes.
Repeat a couple of times a day.
The warmth will help promote circulation, which can make the bruise heal faster and appear less noticeable.

# Use Vitamin K Cream
Vitamin K is known for its ability to help the body absorb and heal bruises. It can speed up the process of breaking down the blood that causes the discoloration of a hickey. Applying Vitamin K cream to the affected area can significantly improve the speed at which the hickey fades.

**How to Use Vitamin K Cream:**
Purchase a Vitamin K cream from a drugstore or online.
Apply a thin layer directly to the hickey.
Gently massage it in and leave it on.
Vitamin K can help your body absorb the blood more quickly, reducing the bruise's appearance in as little as a few days. Apply it 2-3 times a day for the best results.

# Aloe Vera for Soothing Relief
Aloe vera is well-known for its soothing properties and can help reduce the inflammation associated with a hickey. Aloe also promotes healing and blood circulation, making it an excellent remedy for bruises and skin irritations.

**How to Use Aloe Vera for a Hickey:**
Use pure aloe vera gel (freshly extracted from the plant or store-bought).
Apply the gel directly to the hickey and massage it in gently.
Repeat this process 2-3 times a day for soothing relief.
Aloe vera helps to cool down the skin and can significantly reduce the swelling and redness of a hickey, promoting faster healing.

# Arnica Gel or Cream
Arnica is a natural herb often used to treat bruises, pain, and swelling. Arnica contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the appearance of a hickey by improving circulation and promoting healing. It’s available in both gel and cream forms and is commonly used to treat bruises and muscle soreness.

**How to Use Arnica:**
Apply arnica gel or cream directly to the hickey.
Gently massage it in and leave it on.
Use it 2-3 times daily.
Arnica is particularly effective for reducing the swelling and discoloration associated with hickeys, helping them fade more quickly.

# Try Toothpaste as a Quick Remedy
Believe it or not, toothpaste can be used to reduce the appearance of a hickey. The menthol and other active ingredients in toothpaste have a cooling and exfoliating effect that helps improve blood circulation, reduce swelling, and promote healing.

**How to Use Toothpaste for a Hickey:**
Apply a small amount of white toothpaste (not gel-based) to the hickey.
Gently massage it into the skin in a circular motion.
Leave it on for 5-10 minutes.
Rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
While this method may not work instantly, it can reduce the redness and swelling of the hickey quickly, making it less noticeable. Use it once or twice a day for best results.

# Conceal with Makeup
If you need an immediate solution to hide the hickey, makeup can be a quick and easy way to cover it up. While makeup won’t heal the bruise, it can effectively mask the hickey’s appearance until it fades naturally.

**How to Conceal a Hickey with Makeup:**
Use a green-tinted concealer to cancel out the redness or purple hues of the hickey.
Apply a full-coverage foundation that matches your skin tone on top.
Finish with a translucent setting powder to lock in the makeup.
The green concealer will help neutralize the bruise’s color, while the foundation and setting powder will blend it into your skin, making it almost invisible. This method is ideal for covering up a hickey quickly if you need to look your best.

# Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water can help speed up the healing process by promoting circulation and helping your body flush out toxins. Staying hydrated helps your skin repair itself more efficiently, allowing the bruise to heal faster.

**How to Stay Hydrated:**
Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as these can dehydrate your body and slow down healing.
Good hydration is key to helping your skin heal naturally, so make sure to drink enough water throughout the day.

# Final Thoughts

While it may not be possible to completely remove a hickey in a matter of minutes, there are plenty of quick and effective ways to reduce its appearance fast. From cold and warm compresses to Vitamin K cream, aloe vera, and even makeup, you have several tools at your disposal to help heal or conceal a hickey in no time.

The most important thing is to act quickly and consistently with the remedies mentioned above. In a few days, your hickey will be a thing of the past. If you want to avoid future hickeys, be mindful of the pressure and duration of suction or biting during intimate moments. In the meantime, try these remedies and enjoy faster, smoother results.