If you’ve ever woken up with a hickey and realized you have to face work, school, or even your in-laws later that day, you’re definitely not alone. A hickey—sometimes called a love bite or kiss mark—is essentially a bruise caused by broken blood vessels under the skin. While it’s harmless, it can be a little embarrassing, especially if it’s right on your neck or lip. Let’s talk about how to get rid of a hickey fast, with proven home remedies and practical tips backed by medical understanding.
What Is a Hickey and Why Does It Happen?
A hickey forms when suction or biting damages small blood vessels (capillaries) under the skin, leading to a collection of blood just beneath the surface. That’s why it looks like a red, purple, or even dark brown mark, depending on your skin tone and how deep the bruise is. Over time, your body breaks down this trapped blood, and the color fades away naturally.
For most people, a hickey heals on its own within 5–10 days. But if you’re looking for ways to speed up the process, there are several simple treatments that can help increase blood circulation and reduce discoloration more quickly.
How to Get Rid of a Hickey Fast at Home
When it comes to how to get rid of a hickey fast, home remedies can be surprisingly effective. The goal is to promote healing by boosting blood flow and reducing inflammation.
1. Apply Ice During the First 24 Hours
One of the most effective early treatments for a fresh hickey is a cold compress. Ice constricts blood vessels, helping reduce swelling and limit the spread of discoloration. Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean cloth and press them gently on the area for 10–15 minutes. Repeat several times throughout the day.
If you don’t have ice handy, a cold spoon can work, too. Just pop it in the freezer for 10 minutes and use it to massage the hickey gently. This is an easy and fast way to get rid of a hickey on your neck, especially within the first few hours.
2. Switch to Warm Compresses After 24 Hours
Once a day has passed, it’s time to help your body reabsorb the pooled blood. Applying a warm compress increases blood flow to the area, which speeds up healing. You can use a warm towel or a heating pad for 10–15 minutes, two or three times a day.
This method is especially helpful if you’re wondering how to get rid of a dark or deep hickey fast. The warmth helps break down the trapped blood and reduces the dark purple tone.
3. Massage the Area Gently
After the first 48 hours, gentle massage can help increase circulation and break up the blood clot beneath the skin. Use your fingers to apply light pressure in circular motions, working from the center of the hickey outward. Be careful not to rub too hard—you don’t want to irritate your skin or make the bruise worse.
4. Try the Toothbrush or Coin Method
Although it might sound strange, some people swear by using a clean toothbrush or coin to stimulate blood flow in the affected area. Gently brush or scrape the hickey with soft, outward strokes. Then apply a warm compress afterward. This can help move the pooled blood and lighten the mark faster.
5. Use a Cold Spoon or Ice Roller for Quick Results
If you’re looking for how to get rid of a hickey really fast, try using an ice roller or chilled spoon in combination with massage. This method works especially well on small or light hickeys because it reduces swelling and improves circulation at the same time.
6. Apply Aloe Vera or Vitamin K Cream
Aloe vera is known for its soothing and healing properties. It can help reduce inflammation and speed up recovery. Gently apply a thin layer of pure aloe vera gel twice a day.
You can also use a vitamin K cream or serum. Vitamin K helps your body absorb blood more efficiently, making it ideal for reducing bruising. Look for over-the-counter creams and apply them morning and night.
7. Use Toothpaste as a Quick Home Remedy
Yes, toothpaste! It may sound old-fashioned, but minty toothpaste can help stimulate circulation and cool the skin. Apply a small amount to the hickey and leave it for about 5–10 minutes until it starts tingling. Then gently wipe it off with a warm, damp cloth. This trick can help reduce redness and swelling, especially if done soon after the hickey forms.
8. Try a Banana Peel Compress
Banana peels are rich in antioxidants and moisture. Placing the inside of a banana peel on your hickey for 15–20 minutes can help soothe the skin and promote healing. This natural remedy is perfect for those looking for how to get rid of a hickey fast without makeup or chemicals.
9. Use Makeup for Quick Coverage
While natural remedies work over time, sometimes you just need an instant fix. Color-correcting concealer is your best friend. Use a green-tinted concealer for red hickeys, or a yellow/orange one for purple tones. Blend it gently and set it with powder to make it last all day.
How to Get Rid of a Hickey on Your Lip or Neck Fast
The neck and lip are sensitive areas, so be extra gentle. Use ice for the first day, followed by warm compresses. Avoid aggressive rubbing or harsh products. Applying aloe vera or arnica cream can help fade marks faster while keeping the skin calm.
For neck hickeys, try a scarf, turtleneck, or even a bit of creative hairstyling while your skin heals. For lip hickeys, use a soothing lip balm to prevent dryness and irritation.
What to Avoid When Treating a Hickey
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Don’t apply raw alcohol or harsh chemicals.
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Avoid popping or scratching the area.
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Don’t apply too much pressure when massaging.
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Skip using multiple treatments at once—your skin needs time to heal.
How Long Does It Take for a Hickey to Go Away?
Most hickeys fade naturally in 5–10 days, depending on their size and depth. A small or light hickey might disappear within three days, while a deep or dark one may take a bit longer. Using the home remedies above can help reduce that time and make the mark much less noticeable.
How to Get Rid of a Hickey Overnight (If You’re in a Hurry)
If you’re desperate to make it disappear overnight, start with ice to reduce the swelling, followed by a gentle massage and vitamin K cream. Then cover it with a color-correcting concealer the next morning. While you can’t make a hickey vanish completely in one night, you can dramatically fade it.
When to See a Doctor
Hickeys are harmless in most cases, but if your bruise doesn’t fade after two weeks, becomes painful, or you notice swelling, numbness, or skin changes, check with your healthcare provider. Rarely, excessive suction can damage deeper blood vessels or skin layers.
Final Thoughts from Meghan Killilea Galli, APRN, FNP-BC
A hickey is nothing to be ashamed of—it’s simply your body’s reaction to mild trauma under the skin. With a few simple home treatments like ice, warmth, massage, and natural creams, you can help it fade faster. The key is to treat it gently and consistently. And if you’re in Hartford and need expert advice on skincare or bruise healing, don’t hesitate to consult your local healthcare professional.
FAQs
1. How to get rid of a hickey fast at home?
Use ice for the first 24 hours, then switch to a warm compress, massage, and apply aloe vera or vitamin K cream twice daily.
2. Can toothpaste really help a hickey fade?
Toothpaste may help increase circulation and reduce redness temporarily, but use it sparingly and not on sensitive skin.
3. How long does a hickey take to go away?
Most hickeys fade in 5–10 days, depending on their size, color, and depth.
4. What’s the fastest way to get rid of a hickey overnight?
Use a combination of ice, light massage, vitamin K cream, and concealer to reduce its appearance within hours.
5. When should I see a doctor for a hickey?
If it lasts longer than two weeks, becomes painful, or shows signs of infection, see your healthcare provider.
Meghan Killilea Galli, APRN, FNP-BC, is a Connecticut-based board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 5 years of experience in urology, women’s pelvic health, and primary care. She practices with Hartford HealthCare and Griffin Faculty Practice Plan and founded Health Gardeners to share reliable, evidence-based health information.
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