How to Get Rid of a Hickey

Ah the hickey, that red badge of passion! So spontaneous! So exhilarating! So erotic! So now what are you going to do?

Step 1: Press cold spoon against hickey
As soon as possible, pop a spoon in the freezer for a few minutes, and then press it, suction-like, against the hickey for 15 minutes. This will reduce swelling and prevent any more bruising.

Step 2: Massage area
Gently massage the area to break up the congealed blood that is causing the bruising.

Step 3: Use comb or brush
Not working? Take a comb or brush and gently rub it over the hickey for about 10 minutes to help disperse the clots.

Tip
You could also use a quarter to push away the blood that has gathered in the area, but this method hurts a bit.

Step 4: Use lipstick cover
Still seeing red? Get fresh blood flowing by removing the cover of a lipstick, twisting the opening against the hickey, and pulling it off. You’ll hear a pop, and the hickey will briefly be redder before lightening.

Tip
Some people swear by pencil erasers, saying that twirling them forward and backward on a hickey makes it disappear.

Step 5: Use concealer
Blend a little concealer, in a shade lighter than your skin tone, over any remaining redness.

Step 6: Apply wet facecloth
If the hickey is still visible after 48 hours, apply a hot, wet facecloth for about 5 minutes. This draws new blood, helping smooth out the skin tone.

Step 7: Wear scarf or turtleneck
If all else fails, wear a scarf or turtleneck—or stay indoors.

Did You Know?
A hickey is a bruise caused when the vacuum created by a sucking mouth breaks blood vessels below the skin.