Yes, you can rid of hickeys using some of the effective home remedies readily available around.
Are you too ashamed to flaunt that red bruise on your neck you got from last night’s action? Is the new formal dress not hiding your beloved’s love well?
Well, you are not alone. All of us have been there and done that, and the only thing you can pray for is that your boss or your co-worker doesn’t notice how much love you have been receiving!
Since a hickey is nothing but a bruise caused by harsh (and passionate! ) kissing and sucking, you might want to weigh your weekly schedule well before going out or staying for the date that is sure to get you blushing.
While the hickey may appear as a red or purple blot, once the hickey heals, it leaves behind no trace. Naturally, a hickey may take over a week to disappear completely, here are some quick fixes to get you ready to wear almost anything!
Table of Contents
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Hickeys Instantly
1.Cold Compress
Ice works best for all yes of bruises including hickeys. As soon as you spot a hickey, use a cold compress, and the mark shall be gone in no time.
Ice makes the blood vessels constrict, and thus it restricts initial blood flow to the injured area allowing recirculation of the blood in the area.
The clotting of blood has to reduced to ensure less prominent marks. Avoid too much icing directly as it may cause burns.
Here are a few tips :
• Put some ice cubes in a towel and lightly brush it against your skin for a few minutes, multiple times a day. This may prevent swelling around the hickey and reduce pain. Avoid direct application of ice.
• Use a chilled spoon to soothe the affected area.
2.Peppermint
Peppermint can cause a stimulant effect which can help improve blood circulation, and hence it is very useful in treating hickies.
Dap a cotton ball in a diluted peppermint oil solution and apply it over the affected area. Over application must be avoided as it may cause skin irritation.
You may also use toothpaste with peppermint content to soothe the irritation and the redness. Just apply some toothpaste over the affected area and once the irritation dies, wipe it off using a damp cloth.
3.Arnica Salve To Cure Hickeys
Arnica salve has been traditionally used to cure sore muscles, strains, bruises, etc. Apart from above, it works wonders in healing hickeys as well do it blood circulation correction properties.
It not only removes the scars but also reduces inflammation. You may buy them from a medical store or prepare it on your own using home remedies.
4.Warm Compress For Hickey
Warm compress may be used to regulate the flow of blood around the hickey. Use a washcloth dipped in hot water and squeezed the cloth to remove excess water.
5.Toothbrush / Comb
This is one of the most effective methods of all the ones mentioned. With a working action similar to that of a massage, this method stimulates the blood flow in all directions but ensure slow and gentle movement of the bristles as the vigorous rubbing may cause skin bruising.
6.Rubbing Alcohol
Apart from being the reason you got your hickey, alcohol can also be the friend in disguise and help you get rid of the hickey.
Rubbing alcohol has disinfectant and soothing properties that provide relief from hickeys. Dip a cotton ball in an alcohol solution and apply it over the affected area.
7. Cocoa Butter To Cure Hickeys
Cocoa butter, also famous as Theobroma cacao or theobroma oil, is extracted vegetable fat from cocoa beans and which is also an excellent natural agent for facilitating recovery as well as keeps the skin moisturized.
Apply a damped washcloth on your hickey and massage with cocoa butter over the affected area.
8. Massage the Area to Get Rid of Hickeys
To prevent blood from clotting under the skin, massage the affected area by attempting to release the stuck up pressure in the bloodstream and also helps in brightening and lightening of the skin.
Once you notice the hickey, gently massage the irritated area with smooth finger movements in circular motions from the center towards the periphery.
Do this at least twice a day for a few minutes, suitably with a compress of hot water. This will help increase circulation and aid in healing the hickey.
9.Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the most magical plants known to mankind. It works as an anti-inflammatory agent that will help reduce the sensitivity of the affected skin area. The soothing and anti-inflammatory properties will help the provoke the movement of blood under your skin.
Take a ripe leaf of aloe vera from a plan and extract the transparent gel part of the leaf using a knife carefully. Now mash the gel part using your fingers and apply over the affected area using your fingers.
10.Banana Peel
Banana peels have soothing properties that can help minimize the pain caused by a hickey.
Use the banana peel by firstly slicing it into smaller peels of suitable sizes. Now apply the inside of the peel on the affected area two to three times a day.
11. Use Witch Hazel To Cure Hickeys
Witch hazel has many properties that go to make it an excellent remedy for hickeys too. This forms a guarding layer which helps in faster healing and prevents loss of blood. The anti-inflammatory effect ensures faster recovery from a love bite.
• Soak a washcloth in witch hazel tea.
• Drain out excess tea.
• Apply on the irritated areas.
• Repeat daily until results are visible.
Method a
Mix arnica salve and witch hazel in a bowl and dip a soft towel in the mixture. Now remove the excess wetness from the cloth and apply over the affected area. Once the mix dries, use a cloth soaked in water to clean the hickey.
Method B
Stir witch hazel and rubbing alcohol in a bowl.
• Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply to the hickey. Wash off with lukewarm water once the mixture dries.
12.Parsley
Parsley, a mixture of the most volatile oils like limonene, alpha-thujene, etc. and flavonoids such as apiin, apigenin, etc., and vitamins are known for healing swelling and reducing blood clots and damage to blood vessels.
Keep handy an adhesive bandage and parsley. Mash the parsley and apply it over the area. Seal the juices by using an adhesive bandage and leave it for forty minutes. Repeat several times to ensure effective results.
13.Vitamin K
Vitamin K prevents clotting of blood and hence can be used to treat hickeys. This essential vitamin helps the body reabsorb pooled blood and speed up the healing process.
14.Pineapple To Cure Hickeys
This is a slightly sweet remedy for a hickey. Pineapple contains an enzyme known as bromelain which facilitates dissolution of blood clots with the fading of the scar.
When bromelain is externally applied, it helps reduce inflammation and pain. You may consider pineapple consumption as an internal healing procedure.
15.Vinegar For Your Hickeys
This may prove to be the best remedy for your hickeys. Vinegar is a good natural agent that facilitates a flow of blood along the direction of your skin helping your body reabsorb the blood held under the sucked part of your skin.
As you need to mix vinegar with warm water, do not use this remedy after one day of getting hickeys. Mix 4 to 5 tablespoons of vinegar in lukewarm water and use a washcloth to apply over the affected area.
16.Coin Method
This method is slightly painful as compared to others, but works well in curing hickeys. The coin will work to break the stagnation of blood, so it is easier for the body to absorb.
• Coin (quarter, euro, or rupees)
Process
- Using two fingers, stretch the area around to ensure no wrinkling of skin around the clot.
- Try to work your way on the hickey towards the periphery using the edge of the coin.
- Continue until you find the redness reducing.
Note: The skin will redden but will go away after a few minutes. You may also use a sensitive toothbrush instead of a coin.
17.Other Methods
• Redness can be used by applying eye drops over the affected area and wash off with cold water.
• Tea bags can be used to soothe inflammation.
• Apply Preparation H gel or cream to the affected area to restrict blood vessels and swelling.
• Oranges are a rich source of vitamin C which plays an indispensable role in the repair of tissues in our bodies.
18.Foods And Supplements
The foods are rich in vitamin C and K and enzymes such as papain and bromelain which have healing properties.
Foods rich in vitamin C are a necessary intake. Oranges, lemons, etc. should be consumed to facilitate internal healing of the love bite.
Foods containing vitamin K include cabbage, brown rice, kale, spinach, soybean oil, broccoli, and fish oil are rich sources which enable the body to recover from blood concentrated in certain areas under the skin.
Tips
1. Use lip balm, cover-up, or foundation to help hide hickeys.
2. Rub toothpaste on the affected area and leave it until the irritation stops to cure hickeys.
3. Hide hickeys with clothing, makeup, or long hair until clear.
4. Consult a professional if your hickey does not go away after two weeks as it may be indicative of another bigger problem.
When none of the above home remedies works in your favor, try hitting for over-the-counter medications which are available at your local druggist without a prescription.
There are quite a few drugs and lotions that are effective against hickeys, like Aspirin, Excedrin, Vitamin K, and vitamin C.
