How to Get Rid of a Hickey as Fast as Possible

SO, YOU AND your partner got a little excited during your last make-out session, and now you have a hickey. A visible hickey. And if you’re going to a special event, posting on social media, or just going to work, you might be anxious to get rid of it so other people don’t see it.

Before we get to hickey treatments, including some easy dermatologist-approved techniques, let’s talk about how you got your love bite in the first place.

What is a hickey?

A hickey is a bruise caused by sucking or biting the skin, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Hickeys happen when small blood vessels rupture and leak blood under the skin’s surface. They can appear red, brown, or even bluish in color, says Cheri Frey, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Washington, DC.

In general, most bruises last from three days to two weeks, the Cleveland Clinic says. As far as hickeys go, they tend to heal on the earlier side since they’re more superficial.

How do I get rid of a hickey?

We’ve purposely not included certain Internet remedies—like massaging with toothbrushes or slathering on toothpaste—as these can make irritation worse. And while you may have seen some sources recommend certain essential oils, Frey says they can have a risk of irritation.

One more thing before we get into our list: If you’re on blood thinners or certain other medications, you may want to avoid the medical products or check in with your health care provider.

Hickey Treatments

1) Grab an ice pack.

But try it right after the hickey happens. In general, ice helps with inflammation, and Frey explains you can use ice early on to constrict blood vessels with cold (and potentially limit bruising).

2) Try a cold spoon.

It won’t make your hickey disappear, but it also may soothe early inflammation. Put a spoon in the freezer for 10 minutes, then place the curved side against your skin.

3) Switch to warm compresses.

Once your hickey sets in, heat can help increase circulation and clear trapped blood. As Frey explains, warm compresses can help the body heal itself. For this hickey treatment, heat water in a bowl in the microwave until it’s warm (but nowhere near boiling). Then dip a washcloth and apply it to your hickey until the cloth cools. You can try this two to four times a day until the hickey heals.

4) Schedule a laser treatment.

It’ll cost you, but if you really need to get rid of a hickey fast, this can help. Frey says she’s used an Aerolase Nd:YAG laser for bruising in her practice, with improvement in a few days. Just remember: If you have darker skin, choose your medical provider carefully, since darker skin can be damaged by certain lasers or if the provider isn’t experienced with darker tones. Because you don’t want to turn a short-term hickey—however hideous—into a longer-term problem.

5) Rub on Vitamin K.

This vitamin helps break up the blood and stop it from clotting, Hartman explains. Try applying a topical Vitamin K gel or cream directly on the hickey. (The oral version has some risks, according to the Cleveland Clinic.)

6) Consider topical arnica.

This remedy has been used for centuries and can be applied today as a cream or ointment to treat sore muscles, bruises, and other issues. It works by helping the blood dissipate, Hartman says. To treat a hickey, buy a topical arnica product online or from the drugstore, and apply the product as directed. (Be sure not to apply topical arnica to an open wound. Take care and talk to your health care provider if you have questions.)

7) Use DerMend Moisturizing Bruise Formula Cream.

This product, marketed to older adults who may experience more frequent bruising, can also help. Hartman likes it since it’s available at drugstores and on the cheaper end, price-wise. And because it contains multiple ingredients, including arnica oil, niacinamide to help improve the look of skin, and even a form of Vitamin K. “I like to work smarter, not harder,” he says.

8) Rub on vitamin C.

While some sources suggest topical Vitamin C, Hartman doesn’t think it’s the greatest for making a hickey go away.

That said, Frey is a fan of Vitamin C supplements as a preventive measure for bruising: a symptom of Vitamin C deficiency. Since these supplements may be more preventive than reactive, they might not be helpful if you’ve already sustained your love bite.

9) Put on aloe vera.

The gel from this beloved plant can calm inflammation (remember what it can do for sunburn), but it may not help much with bruising. That said, feel free to try it.

10) Eat pineapple.

Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that can help ease bruising, Frey says. That said, you’re not getting a medicinal dose through fruit, so don’t expect much.

11) Press on a banana peel.

Yeah, it’s weird. And it won’t make your love bite disappear. But since the inside of a banana peel has vitamins and antioxidants, it may help soothe your skin as you wait.