A hickey is a temporary discoloration of the skin resulting from intense suction or concentrated pressure, which causes minor trauma to the delicate blood vessels just beneath the surface. While time is the ultimate healer for this kind of mark, specific, targeted interventions can accelerate the body’s natural repair process. Understanding the biology of the mark allows for the most effective approach to quick removal and significantly reduces its visibility.
Understanding the Hiding Place: What a Hickey Really Is
A hickey is medically classified as a minor subdermal hematoma, which is the technical term for a bruise. The intense suction physically breaks small, fragile capillaries located near the skin’s surface. Once broken, blood leaks out and pools in the surrounding tissue, creating the characteristic red or purple mark. The subsequent color change occurs as the body breaks down the pooled hemoglobin, shifting the mark to a greenish-yellow before it disappears.
Phase One: Stopping the Damage (Immediate Cold Application)
The first 24 hours after the mark appears represent a brief window to limit the extent of the bruise. During this phase, the primary goal is to constrict the blood vessels to minimize the amount of blood leaking into the surrounding tissue. Applying a cold compress immediately achieves this vascular constriction and helps reduce localized swelling. Limiting the initial pooling of blood makes the subsequent efforts to clear the mark more effective.
A simple method involves wrapping an ice pack or frozen vegetables in a thin cloth before placing it on the affected area. Alternatively, a chilled metal spoon can be placed directly over the mark for targeted cooling. Apply the cold for short periods, 10 to 15 minutes at a time. This intermittent application prevents potential skin damage while maximizing the effect of reducing blood flow. Repeat this cold application several times during the first day.
Phase Two: Breaking Up the Bruise (Heat and Circulation Techniques)
Once the initial 24-hour period has passed, the strategy shifts entirely from constricting vessels to promoting circulation and helping the body absorb the trapped blood. This is achieved through the application of gentle heat, which works to dilate the blood vessels in the area. Increased blood flow brings white blood cells and other components necessary to break down and clear the pooled blood faster.
A warm compress, or a cloth soaked in warm water, should be applied to the mark for several minutes to encourage vasodilation. Following the heat, gentle physical techniques can manually disperse the blood settled beneath the skin. One popular method involves using a smooth, stiff object, such as the edge of a coin or a jar lid, to gently scrape the skin outward from the center of the mark. This action pushes the pooled blood away from the injury site and should be done until a slight reddening of the skin occurs.
Another effective circulation technique is light massage using your fingertips or a soft toothbrush. Using moderate pressure, rub the area in circular motions, then switch to rubbing outward from the center of the mark in several different directions. These actions help break up the solidified clot and stimulate the lymphatic system to drain the cellular debris. These heat and massage techniques should be repeated several times a day for the best results.
Supportive Care and Medical Considerations
Certain over-the-counter topical aids may complement the physical removal techniques by assisting the body’s healing process. Creams containing Vitamin K are sometimes used because this vitamin plays a role in blood clotting and may aid in the absorption of pooled blood. Similarly, arnica-based gels are frequently used to treat bruises due to their anti-inflammatory properties, potentially speeding up the dissipation of the discoloration. These products should be applied gently after the heat and massage treatments.
Even with consistent intervention, it is important to maintain realistic expectations regarding the healing timeline. Most hickeys take between five and ten days to fully resolve as the body naturally breaks down the hematoma. If a mark is unusually painful, significantly swollen, or fails to fade within two weeks, consult a healthcare professional. This ensures the discoloration is a simple bruise and not a sign of a more complex underlying issue.