Hickey Hacks: Quick Ways To Fade That Love Bite
Hickeys, also known as love bites, are essentially bruises caused by sucking or biting the skin. While they're generally harmless, they can be embarrassing and you might want to get rid of them quickly. Here’s how to speed up the healing process. — Soho House Interior Design: Ideas & Inspiration
What is a Hickey?
A hickey is a bruise caused by trauma to the skin. The suction breaks small blood vessels under the skin, causing blood to leak and form a red, purple, or bluish mark. Like any bruise, it will fade over time, but there are ways to make it disappear faster. — Fast Food Interview: What To Wear To Get Hired
Immediate Actions (First 12-24 Hours)
- Cold Compress: Apply a cold compress to the hickey as soon as possible. This helps to reduce swelling and constrict blood vessels, minimizing the bruise's appearance. Use an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 10-20 minutes several times a day.
- Avoid Heat: Stay away from hot showers, baths, or saunas, as heat can increase blood flow and worsen the bruise.
Speeding Up Healing (After 24 Hours)
- Warm Compress: After the first 24 hours, switch to a warm compress. This helps increase blood circulation to the area, which can help the body reabsorb the blood causing the bruise. Apply a warm compress for 10-20 minutes several times a day.
- Gentle Massage: Gently massage the area around the hickey to promote blood flow and reduce clotting. Be careful not to press too hard, as this could further damage the tissue.
- Arnica Cream: Arnica is a natural remedy known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Applying arnica cream to the hickey can help reduce swelling and discoloration. You can find arnica cream at most drugstores or health food stores.
- Vitamin K Cream: Vitamin K helps with blood clotting, so applying a cream containing Vitamin K may help the bruise fade faster. Follow the product instructions for application.
Home Remedies
- Vitamin C: Increasing your Vitamin C intake can help strengthen blood vessels and promote healing. Eat foods rich in Vitamin C, such as oranges, strawberries, and bell peppers, or take a Vitamin C supplement.
- Pineapple: Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Eating pineapple or taking a bromelain supplement may help reduce swelling and bruising.
Covering Up a Hickey
If you need to hide a hickey while it heals, here are a few options:
- Clothing: Wear clothing that covers the hickey, such as a turtleneck, scarf, or high-collared shirt.
- Concealer: Use a color-correcting concealer to neutralize the discoloration. Green concealer can help counteract redness, while yellow concealer can help with purple or blue tones. Follow with a skin-toned concealer and set with powder.
Prevention
- Communicate: Talk to your partner about your comfort level with hickeys. Open communication is key to a healthy and respectful relationship.
- Apply Pressure: If you're giving a hickey, be mindful of the pressure you're using. Excessive suction can cause more severe bruising.
When to See a Doctor
In rare cases, a hickey can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as a bleeding disorder. If the hickey is extremely painful, doesn't fade after a few weeks, or is accompanied by other symptoms, see a doctor. — Onn Kyoto Gokomachi: A Hidden Gem In Japan
While hickeys are usually harmless and fade on their own, these tips can help speed up the healing process and get rid of them faster. Whether you choose to treat it or cover it up, remember that a hickey is just a temporary mark.