by In the heat of the moment, it sometimes becomes hard to tell how rude you’re being until a hickey or love bite shows up the next morning. If you’ve ended up with a little purplish mark on your skin after a night of making out, you know what we’re talking about. Mostly seen on the neck and arms, bruising is caused by kissing or sucking on the skin, which can lead to rupture of blood vessels under the skin. If you searched for how to get rid of a hickey and landed here, you know what this passion mark is all about! Let us help you with some expert advice.
People try various ways to hide a hickey. Some don base layers to hide it or even wear a scarf in the sweltering heat so no one will notice. But a hickey needs more attention than that to heal. Health Shots reached out to renowned dermatologist Dr. Apratim Goel for effective ways to get rid of a hickey.
How to get rid of hickeys fast?
The purple mark you see after a passionate session is nothing more than a bruise called a hickey or love bite. It develops due to the pressure of the suction that leads to the rupture of small blood vessels, causing extravasation or accumulation of blood locally. When red blood cells oxidize, they form purple spots. Although there is no way to make a hickey go away overnight, you can try these methods suggested by Dr. Goel for faster healing.
1. Put some ice on it
As mentioned, a hickey is nothing more than a bruise, so a cold compress can help. Take some ice and rub it on the area. It will move around and break up the clotted blood, which is what you need if you want to get rid of the hickey.
2. Followed by a warm compress
After 48 hours of using a cold pack, apply a warm pack with a warm towel. It will increase the blood supply to the area and speed up the reabsorption of blood, explains the dermatologist.
3. Use medications
When natural remedies don’t work, you turn to science for help. We are talking about taking medications (recommended by your doctor) that are used to treat bruises. You can then use creams like arnica creams or thrombophobic creams, which people often use for bruises. However, do not buy the drug without consulting a doctor.
Home Remedies for Hickeys: Know What Works and What Doesn’t
There are several videos that claim that you can get rid of a hickey in no time. We wish it were possible, but it’s not. Love bites or bruises do not go away immediately and take a few days to go away. Unfortunately, you would need a temporary solution to hide it. In the meantime, you can try the above mentioned methods to get rid of hickeys. But don’t believe everything you see on social media. Having said that, here are the internet hacks for hickeys that may not work.
1. Aloe vera gel
While aloe vera gel is a potent ingredient packed with nutrient goodness, it won’t help you get rid of hickeys. Dr. Goel says applying aloe vera gel to love bites may not remove the mark or heal the bruise. However, it does have hydrating benefits and can be used as a moisturizer to keep skin hydrated and help it heal faster.
2. Peppermint spray
Another hack that is doing the rounds on the internet is peppermint spray, but this one is again a dud. Dr. Goel shares that peppermint does not get the blood flowing and reduces the love bite. However, rubbing peppermint oil repeatedly can lead to skin irritation, which can cause further skin reactions. I advise you to skip this trick.
3. Banana Peel Trick
This is another trend that you must have come across on the internet. Yes, the banana peel contains antioxidants and offers soothing benefits, but it does not remove the bruise mark. Helps give your skin a calming effect.
4. Other similar tricks that don’t work
According to the expert, like mint, it is advisable to skip the application of toothpaste, alcohol and other ingredients, as they can cause skin reactions and cause problems.
Note: Whether you have a hickey or not, never use a home remedy without first doing a patch test and consulting a doctor.
