A hickey, often referred to as a love bite, is essentially a bruise caused by suction on the skin, most commonly on the neck. These marks appear when kissing, sucking, or biting ruptures small blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface. The blood leaking from these vessels creates the visible discoloration we recognize as a hickey.
What Does a Hickey Look Like?
Initially, a hickey often presents as a red mark, transitioning to a darker purple or blue as the blood oxidizes. Like any bruise, it may further change color over time, turning greenish-yellow before fading completely. The intensity of the color depends on the force of suction and the extent of blood vessel damage.
How Long Does a Hickey Typically Last?
The lifespan of a hickey isn’t set in stone, but generally, you can expect it to last anywhere from a few days to two weeks. The exact duration depends on several factors, including the severity of the bruise and your body’s natural healing process. Minor hickeys might fade within a few days, while more intense ones could linger for up to two weeks.
Factors Influencing Hickey Duration:
- Severity of the Bruise: A more intense hickey, resulting from stronger suction, involves more broken blood vessels and thus, takes longer to heal. Deeper, darker hickeys will naturally persist longer than lighter ones.
- Individual Healing Rate: Everyone’s body heals at a different pace. Factors like age, overall health, diet, and circulation can influence how quickly your body reabsorbs the leaked blood and repairs the blood vessels. Younger individuals and those with good circulation may see hickeys fade faster.
- Skin Tone: While skin tone doesn’t directly affect healing time, it can influence how visible the hickey is and how the color changes are perceived. Hickeys might appear more prominent on lighter skin tones.
Tips to Help a Hickey Fade Faster
While you can’t completely eliminate a hickey overnight, there are steps you can take to potentially speed up the fading process and manage any discomfort:
- Cold Compress (First 48 Hours): In the initial 24-48 hours after getting a hickey, applying a cold compress can help reduce swelling and inflammation. Wrap an ice pack in a thin cloth and apply it to the area for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day. The cold constricts blood vessels, potentially limiting further blood leakage.
- Warm Compress (After 48 Hours): After the first two days, switch to warm compresses. Applying warmth to the area can increase blood circulation. Improved circulation helps to clear away the blood that has pooled under the skin, aiding in faster healing. Use a warm cloth compress several times a day.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: If your hickey is painful or tender, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed to manage discomfort.
- Gentle Massage: After the initial swelling subsides, gently massaging the area around the hickey can also promote blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, potentially helping to clear the bruise faster.
How to Hide a Hickey Effectively
In situations where you’d prefer to keep your hickey discreet, here are effective ways to conceal it while it naturally fades:
- Makeup: Concealer and color corrector are your best friends. For reddish hickeys, a green-toned concealer can neutralize the redness. For purple or bluish bruises, a yellow-toned concealer works well. Choose a shade that matches your skin tone and blend carefully for natural-looking coverage.
- Clothing and Accessories: Strategically use clothing to your advantage. Turtlenecks, scarves, and collared shirts are excellent for concealing neck hickeys, especially in cooler weather. Bandanas or stylish neckerchiefs can also be effective and fashionable options.
- Bandages: A simple bandage can effectively cover a hickey. Choose a size appropriate for the mark. While straightforward, be mindful that a bandage on the neck might draw attention, so consider the context and whether it seems plausible.
Hickeys are a common and usually harmless skin discoloration. Understanding how long they last and how to manage them can help you feel more in control and confident while they naturally fade away. Remember, patience is key – like any bruise, a hickey will disappear with time.
