how to make hickeys go away

A hickey is just a small bruise caused by suction breaking tiny blood vessels under the skin, so it usually fades on its own in about 5–12 days , depending on your skin and how hard the suction was. You can’t make it vanish overnight, but a few simple steps can help it fade faster and look less obvious.

Quick‑action timeline

• First 24–48 hours:
  • Use a cold compress or chilled spoon on the spot for about 10 minutes at a time, several times a day.

* This slows blood flow into the area and can reduce how dark and swollen the hickey gets.

• After 48 hours (when it’s no longer fresh):
  • Switch to a warm compress (warm, not scalding) for 10–20 minutes a few times daily to encourage circulation and help the pooled blood break down.

* Gently **massage** the area in small circles to help spread out the clotted blood, but don’t press so hard that it hurts.

Things you can apply or eat

• Topical helpers:
  • Aloe vera gel, cocoa butter, or creams with vitamin K , arnica , or bromelain may help bruising fade a bit faster.

* Some people rub the **inside of a banana peel** on the hickey for up to 30 minutes a couple of times a day; it’s gentle and may soothe irritation.

• From your plate:
  • Eat fresh pineapple (for bromelain) and leafy greens like kale or spinach (for vitamin K) to support your body’s natural healing of bruises.

How to hide it while it heals

• Makeup / concealer:
  • Use a color‑correcting concealer (green‑tinged for red‑purple marks) under regular foundation or concealer.

* Set with translucent powder so it doesn’t rub off easily.

• Clothing / accessories:
  • A high‑neck shirt, scarf, or collar can cover a neck hickey without drawing extra attention.

What to avoid

• Don’t bite or aggressively suck the same spot again; that can make the bruise worse.

• Avoid scrubbing, pinching, or using harsh chemicals on the area, which can irritate the skin and slow healing.

If the hickey is extremely painful, keeps getting darker after several days, or you notice signs of infection (heat, pus, fever), it’s a good idea to see a healthcare provider.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.