Love bites are painfully sexy, but covering them up or hiding them? That’s the purely painful part! Find out get rid of a hickey with these easy tips!
Hickeys are distinctive and impossible to pass off as a simple rash. If you’re not interested in answering uncomfortable questions from others, it’s time you learned how to hide a hickey.
Hickeys are living proof that you’ve probably got a little carried away the night before. Not only are they fairly obvious *especially for those with light skin tones or for those who bruise easily*, but they can also stick around on your skin for a couple of days.
Hickeys, love bites, or love marks, are noticeable bruise-like blemishes caused by kissing or sucking on the skin during foreplay. And like normal bruises, they usually take a while to disappear on their own.
In situations where waiting for a hickey to fade is not an option, try these simple tips for hiding a tell-tale hickey from prying eyes, and save yourself from awkwardness.
[Read: 27 sexy ways to give a hickey, what they should look like and other love bite must-knows!]
How does one get a hickey in the first place?
First off, let’s discuss what a hickey is. It’s sometimes also called a love bite or a kiss mark. Hickeys form when capillaries or tiny blood vessels burst due to suction.
If you’re one of those naughty kids who played around with the vacuum cleaner, then you may know that you can get a hickey by placing a vacuum on your skin.
At first, the skin becomes red, but when the blood released from the ruptured capillaries stops receiving oxygen, it turns into a darker red, purple or brown color.
Hickeys are often seen in highly sensitive *and inconveniently visible* areas like the neck, the chest, or even on the inner thighs, because these are the areas that have a lot of capillaries near the surface. [Read: 30 different types of kisses, what they mean, and must-avoid smooch mistakes]
They can sometimes start off as little kisses, but when your partner gets too into it, those kisses can turn into hickeys in a matter of seconds!
How long do hickeys go anyway?
Let’s get this straight: you can’t get rid of a hickey overnight.
If left to fade on their own, hickeys usually stick around from two days to two weeks before disappearing entirely. It depends on how “aggressive” the person who gave the hickey was.
Dark-colored hickeys usually fade last, while the reddish light ones fade in a few days.
How to hide a hickey with clothing
Receiving hickeys in commonly exposed areas such as the neck can be annoying. While nothing will make a hickey disappear in a few minutes, the good news is that the quick fix is hanging in your closet. Items like turtlenecks and scarves can keep it hidden.
1. Avoid wearing revealing clothing in the meantime
Remember that clothing items with the least amount of fabric in them will be the least effective in hiding a hickey. Adapt your outfit for the days when you have a hickey to hide.
2. Wear clothes with a high collar
Shirts with starched collars are not only sharp-looking but will also help shield a hickey carelessly left on your neck. [Read: 8 ingenious ways to get rid of unwanted hickeys really fast]
3. Hickey-proof turtleneck
These are way more effective than collared shirts which have an exposed front. Turtlenecks cover up the whole circumference of your neck, making them a great option to cover up hickeys placed anywhere on the neck.
4. Scarves
Want to cover up a hickey, but you still want to wear that comfortable v-neck shirt? If that is the case then a scarf will be your best friend.
Wear it in moments when you need to hide the hickey and just simply take it off your neck if you’re safe and alone. [Read: Neck biting and other sex tricks you need in your arsenal]
5. Hooded jackets or sweaters
Hooded clothing items are also an effective method of hiding hickeys, since they cover most of the head when worn. It may appear a bit weird wearing one indoors, but you can simply make the excuse that you’re feeling cold.
How to hide a hickey with makeup
Makeup is another effective method to hide a hickey. It requires some materials and skills in applying them. However, this can be pretty convenient for ladies who usually have a supply and know how to use makeup.
As for guys, you might have to solicit the skills and the makeup kit of your partner or another lady friend. Nevertheless, here are a few tips to use makeup for that hickey. [Read: How to make the walk of shame respectable]
6. Use concealer
Concealers are specifically designed to hide blemishes and discoloration, and make your skin tone even. Choose one that matches your skin tone and apply a small amount over the hickey.
You may need to reapply it after a while, so you make sure to bring your makeup with you. You can also apply a setting powder or spray to make the concealer last longer.
7. Foundation
Foundation works in a similar way to concealer by evening out your skin color. Apply a layer over the hickey with a brush or makeup sponge and watch your hickey get concealed in no time. [Read: 30 dirty would-you-rather questions to ask your lover and have a sexy laugh]
8. Color correcting makeup
If you want to be technical about your makeup, you can color-correct the skin blemish with a combination of different-colored makeups that will balance out the discoloration.
First, determine the color of the hickey. Hickeys usually range from pale red to dark purple, like a normal bruise. After that, you need to choose a makeup color that complements the color of the blemish.
For dark-colored hickeys, you may choose to apply yellow tones to neutralize skin discoloration. Apply a layer over the area until the hickey pales down to your original skin tone.
As a final touch, you can apply foundation or setting powder to further balance out the remaining discoloration. [Read: How to look hot – 24 sexy tips to go from boring to irresistibly desirable]
How to hide a hickey with accessories and other things
9. Wear your hair down if you have long hair
If you have long hair, use it to cover up a hickey by wearing it down. Long hair easily hides hickeys placed on the sides and nape of the neck. Plus, it doesn’t draw attention like extra articles of clothing like scarves.
10. Hide it with a large square plastic bandage
If you want to know how to hide a hickey, but you’re not into wearing additional clothing just to hide one, there’s another solution for your love bite problem.
Get a piece of plastic bandage from your medicine cupboard, stick it over a hickey, and tell those nosy people that you accidentally got a scrape or cut on that area. Problem solved.
11. Wear a choker
If you’re a girl, you can hide a hickey with a big chunky necklace. The farther it comes up your neck, the better. Even if it doesn’t fully cover the hickey, it might be flashy enough to distract people’s eyes away from the hickey.
Hopefully, they’ll only notice the cool choker you’re wearing. [Read: Keeping secrets in relationships – 42 must-know rules and exceptions]
12. Apply a temporary tattoo
This is a very creative way to hide your hickey. Go get a temporary tattoo and put it directly over it.
This will make more sense if you already have tattoos, or if you’ve been talking about wanting to get a tattoo. If you’re known to be anti-tattoo, then this might not be the best option because people will be suspicious.
13. Body glitter
Just like a temporary tattoo covers up a hickey, body glitter just might do the trick too. It might not cover it up as well as a tattoo, but it will also distract people’s eyes from the hickey.
You might want to use some concealer before you apply the body glitter for the best results. [Read: Sex sounds – how to moan and sound sexy AF while making out]
14. Headphones around your neck
Depending on where the hickey is on your neck and how big the headphones are, this could be an option too. If you’re a person who usually listens to music with headphones, then no one will probably notice the difference.
But if you never use headphones, it will be a bit odd and people might wonder what you are doing *or hiding*.
How to treat a hickey ASAP
So, when it comes to how to get rid of hickeys that you’re dying to treat, and you can’t wait for about a week for it to disappear on its own, here are ways to remove a hickey fast.
15. The toothbrush method
For this home remedy, get a new toothbrush and gently brush the area of the hickey in a circular motion a few times. Let it rest and use a cold compress before repeating the process. [Read: How to kiss passionately and romantically]
Brushing the area stimulates blood flow which will remove the small blood clots that cause discoloration. Be careful though, aggressive brushing will irritate your skin and make the hickey worse.
16. Massage the area
Just like the toothbrush and warm compress method, a light massage of the area will help dissipate the blood clots under the skin, and accelerate the removal of the hickey.
First, apply a little petroleum jelly, Aloe Vera gel, or massage oil over the area and massage it lightly with your fingers using a circular motion. Start from the middle working your way outwards and apply a little pressure every now and then. Do this to your hickey for 10 minutes a few times a day for the first day or two. [Read: Top 10 taboo sex topics we love but don’t talk about]
17. Keep your hickey cool
This tip from dermatologists is not just talking about spending an hour in an air-conditioned room – you need to get some ice! Keeping the hickey cold prevents more blood from getting into the area and is another good way to hide a hickey.
More blood in the area means more blood that won’t get oxygen, and therefore a bigger hickey. So, you have to do this as soon as possible to prevent hickeys developing!
Once you and your honey have cooled down a bit, take a trip to the kitchen and grab something cold to place on your hickey. It can be some ice wrapped in a towel, a cold spoon from the freezer, or even a drink that’s been sitting in the fridge for a while. [Read: 10 fun sex games to play with your boyfriend in bed]
Applying a cold compress to the hickey early on will constrict blood vessels to reduce the swelling. You can even make it more fun by asking your partner to apply an ice pack before you get it on for a second round.
To get the best results, massage the cold object directly onto the hickey and its surrounding area. Maintain a firm and even pressure on your hickey for about 15 to 20 minutes, and then let the area rest for 15 minutes so it won’t get uncomfortably cold.
18. Keep your hickey hot
Now, this isn’t contradictory to the previous method, as the hot method works best for hickeys that have been around for 48 hours.
No judgment here if it takes you more than a day to realize that you have a hickey – it happens to the best of us! [Read: Make out session secrets – 18 sexy tips to make it way better and sizzle]
Just remember that the hickey should have been around for at least 48 hours before trying this method. If it’s too soon, the heat will just increase blood flow, and make a developing hickey worse.
Using heat helps disperse the blood that has spread out since your capillaries burst. The capillaries have already healed by 48 hours, so the next best thing is to ensure that the blood gets reabsorbed back into your system.
Eventually, all the blood trapped under your skin will disperse enough to reduce the appearance of your hickey. [Read: How to make out – 22 secrets to leave anyone moaning in your arms]
When you’re using the hot method, don’t use anything hot enough to burn your skin. You don’t want to replace your hickey with a first-degree burn!
Apply a warm compress or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Place it on to your hickey for about 10 minutes, then let your skin rest afterwards. It’s a nice way to stay warm during colder seasons, too.
19. Keep your hickey minty
No, we’re not saying ask your partner to lick peppermint candy off your hickey, but who knows, that might help too! The trick here is to use mint to help encourage blood circulation. This will disperse the blood, much like with the hot method. [Read: 28 Kissing tips and secret techniques to make you a much better kisser]
Place a drop of peppermint oil or a dab of toothpaste onto your hickey and wait for the tingling sensation. This will usually last for a couple of minutes. In the meantime, wet a towel in warm water, and then use this to wipe off the mint once the tingling has stopped.
Keep doing this and you can expect your hickey to lighten. But don’t do it too often, as mint can cause minor irritation, especially on sensitive skin.
Just a side note here: research has not confirmed this method, but some people say it works. [Read: How to tell if a guy likes kissing you and is turned on while kissing you]
20. Rub your hickey with something hard
Don’t start to get naughty thoughts now! We’re talking about a comb, a coin, or a small cylindrical object. Place the hard object onto your hickey and massage outwards to help the blood get absorbed back into your system and speed up the healing process.
A word of advice for this method: don’t overdo it! You might end up scraping your skin if you rub too vigorously, and that definitely won’t make your hickey disappear.
When you use this method, it’s best to give your skin an hour or two to rest before you repeat the method. You don’t want to replace your hickey with a full-on bruise! [Read: 12 bad girl traits every guy wants to see in his girl]
21. Medicate your hickey with Aspirin
Aspirin is one of the most effective methods for helping blood circulate better. You can use this method 48 hours after receiving a hickey, once your capillaries have already healed and the blood is ready to be absorbed back into your bloodstream.
Aspirin helps to thin the blood and make it flow easier. Doing this when the capillaries have not healed may result in more blood flowing to the area, and therefore a larger hickey.
22. Medicate your hickey with Aloe Vera
Allegedly, aloe vera is another effective method, but it must be used on the hickey as soon as it forms.
Research has not confirmed it, but some people say that aloe vera helps the body heal. It also serves as a cooling gel for the area affected by the hickey. [Read: Drunk kiss – 15 types, levels of kisses, and the meaning of a drunk makeout]
It can also help reduce the sensitivity of the area, and may be soothing after you’ve used the mint or stiff object method to get rid of your hickey.
23. Medicate your hickey with Witch Hazel
Witch hazel, which is a common ingredient in many skin care creams, helps treat bruising and inflammation. Since hickeys can be likened to a bruise, this can also help heal your damaged blood vessels and the skin above them.
When using a medication, it’s important to note that it’s possible to overdo it. Don’t mix up medications as you may end up causing more harm than good. Consult your doctor first and make sure you’re not allergic to any of these medications. [Read: 20 naughty and sexy questions to ask your boyfriend]
24. Medicate your hickey with Arnica cream
Another great way to hide a hickey is by using arnica cream. Arnica cream is a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory cream that comes from the extract of the arnica plant.
It has been used for centuries – at least since the 1500s – to treat stomach problems, skin rashes, muscle spasms, strains, and bruises.
Since arnica cream has been around for hundreds of years, there must be a good reason. So, why not try treating your hickey *which is actually a bruise* with some of it?
25. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is also a great way to get rid of a hickey naturally. Your body can’t make vitamin C, which is an antioxidant, but it’s known for healing wounds and repairing tissues. [Read: How to make a man miss you and stay on his mind without chasing him]
You can take a lot of supplemental vitamin C or eat foods that are high in it. Try eating spinach, peppers, pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, or oranges. Since vitamin C is water-soluble, you can’t overdose on it. Your body will simply use what it needs, and get rid of the rest through your urine.
26. Vitamin K
Vitamin K is another important nutrient for healing bruises. If you have a deficiency in Vitamin K, then this can result in slow blood clotting. This causes you to have a darker hickey that’s more difficult to get rid of.
You can take 90 to 120 micrograms per day in a supplement or try applying a topical Vitamin K cream to the affected area. Alternatively, you can eat foods like leafy greens, spinach, kale, broccoli, and certain oils like olive or canola to help get rid of a hickey fast. [Read: Simple peck or steamy makeout? What you can learn from a first kiss]
27. Laser removal
If you have the money and time to invest in this method, then you can visit your dermatologist and try laser treatment, which will reduce the appearance of hickeys. It uses focused light therapy to either remove the outer layer of the skin’s surface or stimulate the production of new skin cells to cover the damaged ones.
Laser treatment might not completely remove it, but it can definitely help. However, it must be done within 24 to 48 hours after the hickey appears. So, you would have to act quickly to get into a facility that does this procedure as soon as your hickeys happen.
28. Banana peel mask
This method might sound a bit silly, but the inside of a banana can be used to calm your blood under the skin’s surface.
The inside of a banana peel can help reduce swelling because they have special enzymes and compounds that help the hickey fade and lighten the skin. [Read: Sexual foreplay – 26 lusty secrets to do it well and make them hot and horny]
All you have to do is place the ripened banana peel on your hickey. Leave it there for about 10 to 30 minutes. And you’ll need to do this several times a day until the hickey heals.
29. Cocoa butter
Cocoa butter is very good for the skin and is used in a lot of different topical skin treatments. It can smooth scars, reduce stretch marks, and wrinkles, and eliminate or decrease marks on the skin such as hickeys.
Cocoa butter can also help with skin elasticity, which can make the skin look a lot better. All you need to do is apply the thick cream to the area once or twice per day until your hickey fades.
But make sure you don’t use too much pressure, because that can make the hickey bigger. [Read: Passionate lovemaking – 23 secrets and ways to make sex lustful and steamy]
30. Eat fresh pineapple
Some fruits aren’t just good to eat; they can also help with removing hickeys. Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that can help in keeping your skin healthy.
Cut some slices of pineapple and apply them directly to the bruised area. Do this for 10 minutes at a time and about four or five times a day. If you don’t want to put the fruit itself on the hickey, you can also dip a cloth in pineapple juice and apply it that way if you prefer.
[Read: 6 really unique, naughty texting games to play with your lover all night long!]
When you don’t want your desk-mate to know your naughty activities from the night before, learn how to hide a hickey using these tips. They’ll work like a charm!
