You wake up in the morning with a goofy smile plastered your face, your mind still replaying the wild sex you had last night! And then you spot it in the mirror, staring at you. The bruised mark your guy made on you, a hickey, on your pretty neck. Immediately you wonder if you have any scarf that would go with the outfit you planned for today, and then you realize it’s freaking summer and a scarf would be so out of place. But you just can’t imagine going out with that hickey on your neck, so what do you do?!
Image source: remedycorner
Here is a 6-step guide for getting rid of hickies:
1. Cold spoon press
Image source: lifestyle9
A hickey is basically a bruise where the blood has flowed out of the ruptured vessels and gets clotted under the skin. When hickey is new, it is best to apply a cold compress to stop the blood flow into the area. One of the best ways is to use a cold spoon- place a steel spoon in the refrigerator for about ten minutes and then gently massage the bruised area. You can keep a few spoons ready as it is advisable to massage so for at least 8-10 minutes.
You could also use an ice pack but make sure you wrap it up in something, either a cloth or a paper towel. Never use ice directly on the skin.
Suggested read: 6 things you did not know about love bites aka the hickey
2. Aloe vera
Image source: Pinterest
Aloe vera is a natural moisturizer which has healing properties. Aloe vera gel or even the sap from the plant can be applied directly on the hickey. Leave on the gel for at least ten minutes and repeat this twice a day. The aloe gel will reduce any irritation or pain, if at all and soothe the area around the hickey.
3. Hickey above heart
The hickey is a coagulated mass of blood and it’s easier when the blood flows out of the area quickly. In such a scenario it is advisable if you raise your hickey area above the heart even when you are lying down. For example, if you realize you have the hickey before you sleep, then you can pile up an extra pillow such that your neck is higher than your heart. However, do keep in mind not to strain your neck too much or else it could give you an additional headache!
4. Hot compress
Image source: stepbystep
If the hickey is still visible after a few days then, that means there is no fresh blood flow to the bruised area and you can stimulate it by applying a hot compress. Take a cloth and soak it in warm water or use a heating pad if available and hold it on the hickey, this will open up the blood vessels and increase the blood flow in the area.
It is best to do this for a couple of times during the day at least for about 15-20 minutes each session.
5. Vitamins C & K
Vitamin K is essential for regulating normal blood clotting and helps in healing injuries, while Vitamin C is required for normal growth and strength of capillaries. Both these vitamins are crucial for healing any bodily injuries and work for healing the hickey as well. You can eat Vitamin K rich foods like broccoli, kale, spinach and brown rice and Vitamin C rich foods like red peppers, citrus and berries. A deficiency of these vitamins is also likely to cause more hickeys!
Suggested read: 6 refreshing homemade face packs to remove sun tan
6. Stimulate blood circulation
It is necessary to continuously increase the blood circulation around the hickey. You can use a soft bristle toothbrush which you can brush away the hickey area to stimulate circulation. However, make sure the bristles are soft and don’t irritate the skin further. You can also use a coin to massage the area! You need to push the coin away from the hickey so as to spread the blood away from the hickey, this may lead to some redness but it will go away with the hickey as well! If the hickey is too dark then it may take a few sessions to disappear.
These ideas for getting rid of hickies work when acted upon fast! You could put on makeup to hide it. And when all else fails, wear that scarf and pretend to be sick! 😉
Featured image source: remedycorner
Facebook
Disqus
Google + 
