How To Get Rid Of A Hickey: Your Gentle Guide To Faster Fading

Blanca Erdman 24 Aug 2025

Finding an unexpected mark on your neck can, quite frankly, be a bit of a surprise, can't it? That tell-tale sign, sometimes a bit red, sometimes a little blue, or even a deep purple, is what we often call a hickey. It's that small mark on the skin that, you know, results from some passionate kissing or sucking, and, well, it can definitely make you wonder how to get rid of a hickey as quickly as possible. We’ve all been there, or perhaps we know someone who has, and the immediate thought is usually, "How do I make this disappear, like, yesterday?"

The good news, in a way, is that a hickey will typically clear up on its own in a week or two, sometimes even taking several days to more than a week to heal. But, and this is the key part, there are some things you can do to hide it or speed up its disappearance, or at least make it look smaller and lighter in color. You're probably wondering how to get rid of a hickey fast, especially if you're dealing with one right now. So, we've gathered some truly helpful insights and tried-and-true tricks to help you manage these little love bites.

While you cannot get rid of a hickey right away, because it's essentially a bruise, some home remedies might help. We're going to share the best tricks for getting rid of these marks, offering effective remedies and tips to help speed up the healing process. This way, you can feel a bit more confident in any situation, or, you know, just put on that turtleneck until it fades. Read on to discover how to get rid of a hickey with these practical ideas.

What Exactly is a Hickey, Anyway?
How Long Do Hickeys Really Stick Around?
First Aid for Fresh Hickeys: The Cold Approach
Later On: Warming Things Up for Healing
Natural Helpers: Home Remedies You Might Try
What the Experts Say: Dermatologist Insights
Quick Cover-Ups: When You Need to Hide It
Important Things to Keep in Mind
Frequently Asked Questions About Hickeys

What Exactly is a Hickey, Anyway?

You might be wondering, what exactly is this mark that has suddenly appeared? Well, a hickey is a bruise, essentially, resulting from another person applying pressure to your neck with their mouth. It's a small red, blue, or purple mark on the skin, which is, you know, a result of sucking or biting during passionate kissing. When this happens, it causes tiny blood vessels just beneath the surface of your skin to break. This releases a small amount of blood, which then pools, creating that distinct discoloration we all recognize.

It’s a very common occurrence, and, you know, it’s nothing to be overly worried about from a health perspective. Think of it as a very mild form of trauma to the skin, similar to bumping into something. The body then starts its natural healing process to reabsorb that pooled blood. Understanding this can, in some respects, help you approach how to get rid of a hickey with a bit more patience and knowledge, knowing you're dealing with a bruise.

How Long Do Hickeys Really Stick Around?

This is often the first question people ask, isn't it? A hickey can take several days to more than a week to heal. It will typically clear up on its own in a week or two. That's the usual timeframe, you know, for these marks to fade completely. Sometimes, though, if it's a particularly intense one, it might linger a bit longer, perhaps closer to ten days or even a full two weeks.

The duration really depends on a few things, like how much pressure was applied, how sensitive your skin is, and your body's own natural healing speed. Younger people, for instance, sometimes find their skin heals a bit faster. So, while you're trying to figure out how to get rid of a hickey, just remember that time is, actually, your biggest ally here. The goal of any remedy is just to give nature a little bit of a nudge.

First Aid for Fresh Hickeys: The Cold Approach

When you first notice a hickey, especially if it’s just happened or is very fresh, your best bet is to cool it down with a cold compress. This is a basic first aid principle that can help reduce the appearance of a hickey if a person acts quickly. If your partner was sucking on your neck in the heat of passion, getting an ice pack on it right away can be quite helpful.

Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the area helps to constrict those tiny blood vessels, which, you know, can minimize further bleeding and swelling. This is pretty much the same idea as putting ice on any other bruise. You can use an actual ice pack, or, you know, just wrap some ice cubes in a thin cloth. Hold it gently against the hickey for about 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Do this several times a day for the first 24 to 48 hours. This initial cooling step is, arguably, one of the most effective things you can do to try and lessen the mark's intensity.

Later On: Warming Things Up for Healing

After a day or two, once the initial swelling has gone down and the hickey isn't getting any darker, you can switch from cold to warm compresses. This is a rather different approach, you know, for a later stage of healing. A warm compress helps to increase blood flow to the area. More blood flow means that your body can, in a way, work more efficiently to clear away the pooled blood that's causing the discoloration.

To make a warm compress, you can just soak a clean cloth in warm water, wring out the excess, and then hold it gently on the hickey for about 5 to 10 minutes. You might want to do this a few times a day. This step is all about encouraging circulation, which, actually, aids in the natural fading process. It’s a gentle way to help your body do its job more effectively, pretty much.

Natural Helpers: Home Remedies You Might Try

The internet, as a matter of fact, is full of DIY tips that claim to help. While some ways to get rid of hickeys include using topical creams, these and other methods, however, do not make hickeys go away quickly. Still, some home remedies might help to, you know, support the healing process. Here are a few natural ways to remove hickeys, from applying cold compresses to eating pineapple, using apple cider vinegar, and trying CBD oil.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera is, actually, known for its soothing and healing properties. It's often used for skin irritations, and it might just help a hickey too. The plant's gel contains compounds that can reduce inflammation and promote skin repair. So, if you have some fresh aloe vera gel, or even a good quality store-bought version, you can gently apply a thin layer directly to the hickey a few times a day. It feels quite nice and cool, which is, you know, a bonus.

Arnica Oil

Arnica oil is a rather popular herbal remedy, often used for bruises and muscle soreness. It's thought to help reduce swelling and pain, and it might also help with the discoloration of a hickey. You can find arnica oil or cream at most health food stores or pharmacies. Just apply a small amount to the hickey and gently rub it in. Do this a couple of times a day. It's, you know, worth a shot if you have it on hand.

Pineapple Power

Eating pineapple is, surprisingly, one of the suggestions you'll find for how to get rid of a hickey. Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Some people believe that consuming pineapple can help reduce swelling and speed up the healing of bruises, including hickeys. While it's not a magic cure, enjoying some fresh pineapple is, you know, a tasty way to potentially support your body's healing from the inside out.

Apple Cider Vinegar Trick

Apple cider vinegar is another common home remedy, sometimes suggested for hickeys. It's believed to help increase blood flow and reduce inflammation. To try this, you can, you know, dilute apple cider vinegar with an equal part of water. Then, soak a cotton ball in the mixture and gently apply it to the hickey for about 10 minutes, a couple of times a day. Just be sure to dilute it, as undiluted vinegar can be too harsh for some skin types.

CBD Oil Calm

Trying CBD oil is a rather newer suggestion for hickeys, but it's gaining some attention. CBD, or cannabidiol, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Some people use topical CBD products for skin conditions or localized pain. If you have a CBD oil or balm, you could gently apply a small amount to the hickey. It might help to calm the skin and, you know, potentially aid in reducing the appearance of the mark. As with any new product, a patch test is always a good idea.

What the Experts Say: Dermatologist Insights

When it comes to how to get rid of a hickey, it’s always good to hear from the experts. Dermatologist Alok Vij, MD, explains how to minimize a hickey while you wait for it to fully fade. He, like other skin specialists, emphasizes that because a hickey is a type of bruise, there isn't an instant fix. Three dermatologists tell us exactly how to get rid of a hickey—or at the very least, how to make one look smaller and lighter in color.

Their advice often aligns with basic bruise care: gentle treatment, managing inflammation, and, you know, letting your body do its natural healing work. They also point out that many of the DIY tips you find online, while harmless, don't necessarily make hickeys go away quickly. The real key, they suggest, is patience and consistent, gentle care. They usually recommend starting with cold and then moving to warm compresses, much like we've discussed.

It’s important to remember that, you know, no matter what you try, the hickey will take some time to disappear. The goal of these remedies and expert tips is just to support your body's process and, perhaps, make the mark a little less noticeable during its healing journey. Learn more about skin health on our site.

Quick Cover-Ups: When You Need to Hide It

Having a visible hickey isn’t always the best look, is it? But there are ways to lighten and hide the mark when you need to. Until then, put on that turtleneck! Clothing is, actually, your first line of defense. Scarves, high-collared shirts, or, you know, even a strategically placed necklace can do wonders to keep it out of sight.

For a more direct approach, makeup can be a real helper. You'll want to use a color corrector first, which, you know, helps neutralize the color of the bruise. If your hickey is reddish or purplish, a green color corrector can counteract that. If it's more blue, an orange or peach corrector might work better. After the color corrector, apply a concealer that matches your skin tone. Blend it out gently with a sponge or your finger. This can, you know, really make the hickey much less noticeable, helping you feel more confident.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

Getting rid of a hickey can be tricky, and if you find yourself in a situation where you really want it gone, remember to be gentle with your skin. Don't rub or scrub the area too vigorously, as this can actually make the bruise worse or irritate your skin. Patience is, you know, a virtue here. The hickey will fade, even if it feels like it's taking forever.

Also, protect the area from direct sunlight. Sun exposure can, in some respects, make the discoloration last longer or even lead to hyperpigmentation, which is when the skin darkens in that spot. So, if your hickey is exposed, consider a little sunscreen. These are just a few quick hacks on how to get rid of a hickey fast and easy, or at least manage its appearance. For more information on skin healing, you could, you know, check out this resource on bruise care from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hickeys

Does rubbing a hickey make it worse?

Rubbing a hickey too hard, especially when it's fresh, can, actually, make it worse. Since a hickey is a bruise, aggressive rubbing could cause more tiny blood vessels to break or, you know, spread the pooled blood further, making the mark appear larger or darker. Gentle massage with a warm compress after a day or two is different, as it aims to increase circulation, but vigorous rubbing is, generally, not a good idea.

Does toothpaste really work on hickeys?

The idea that toothpaste helps hickeys is a very common DIY tip you might find, but, honestly, there's no scientific evidence to back it up. Toothpaste can, in some respects, irritate your skin due to its ingredients, like menthol or peppermint oil. While it might create a tingling sensation that some people mistake for healing, it's more likely to cause redness or dryness than to make your hickey disappear. So, it's probably best to, you know, skip this one.

How long does it actually take for a hickey to disappear?

A hickey will typically clear up on its own in a week or two, though it can take several days to more than a week to heal. The exact time, you know, really varies from person to person and depends on how intense the hickey was. Some lighter marks might fade in just a few days, while deeper ones could linger for up to ten days or even a bit longer. Patience is, arguably, the most important thing here.

You can also learn more about various skin conditions on our site for related information.

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How To Get Rid Of A Hickey: Your Gentle Guide To Faster Fading

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