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Hickeys, are they simply visual proof of your last romp in the sheets, or something more serious? Extremely visible, whether you want them to be or not, love bites are curious things. Depending on the context — work, family, an important meeting — these marks can quickly turn into a source of stress. Good news, we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about love bites, including how to hide them and even avoid getting them.
In this article, we’ll be looking at what causes hickeys, both large and small, and how to react if you find yourself with one. This way, the next time it happens, you can remain cool, calm and collected.
What Is a Hickey/Love Bite?
Love bites are basically bruises. They appear after prolonged or intense suction on a certain area provokes mini ruptures in the blood vessels under the skin. Blood then escapes into the surrounding tissue, giving hickeys their reddish/purple, eventually yellow colour over time.
Some parts of the body are particularly sensitive to hickeys, specifically the neck, cleavage or inner arm. The skin in these areas is thinner, the blood capillaries more fragile, which explains why they mark easier.
Why Are Some People More Susceptible to Hickeys?
Not everybody bruises the same way. Thinner, fairer, more sensitive skin will show love bites more clearly. The intensity and duration of the person sucking will also have an impact: longer, stronger pressure creates more visible bruises.
Other elements such as fatigue, bad blood circulation or certain deficiencies can influence the appearance of hickeys. The affected area is also a key factor, some body parts are simply more sensitive than others.
Are Hickeys Dangerous?
In a large majority of cases, they’re completely benign. This is a normal bodily reaction, just like a bruise you’d get by knocking your knee. They generally disappear after a few days, leaving no trace.
There are some, very rare, situations that may require added attention, especially if the hickey comes accompanied by intense pain, unusual inflammation, or if it takes an abnormally long time to disappear. In these cases, seeking medical advice can be reassuring, but this situation rests exceptional.
How to Get Rid of a Hickey Faster
A quick reaction tends to be the most efficient. Just after the appearance of a hickey, applying cold to the area can help to limit the diffusion of blood under the skin. An ice pack or something like a bag of frozen peas will do the trick. Make sure, however, to avoid direct contact with the skin.
After 24 to 48 hours, gentle heat can be applied to stimulate blood circulation and promote the resorption of the bruise. Lightly massaging around the area can also help, as long as you’re gentle about it. Some creams or gels specially for bruises can accelerate the healing process when applied carefully.
However, it is best to avoid overly aggressive or painful methods, which may aggravate the mark rather than make it disappear.
How to Hide a Hickey Efficiently
If you don’t have time to wait for your hickey to go down, camouflage is the way to go. Clothes are your best ally: high neck tops, scarves, or neckerchiefs will quickly hide any hickeys around the neck or chest.
Makeup is another efficient tactic. Colour correctors (green to neutralise the red, yellow to counteract the purple) applied underneath concealer will help to disguise the mark. Make sure to tap lightly, don’t rub, this will make the finish more natural.
Depending on the context, temporary solutions like a well-placed plaster or accessory can help you out.
Avoiding Future Hickeys
If hickeys are a regular problem for you, then you need to talk about it with your partner. Express your limits or preferences to avoid any embarrassing situations without you having to renounce your pleasure.
It’s also possible for you to focus on less visible areas, or to opt for alternative, more discreet, yet just as sensual options. Finding the perfect balance between intensity, pleasure and visible proof of this will help you to enjoy the moment without having to worry about the aftermath.
Hickeys are basically a trace left behind after an intimate moment, and there’s nothing dangerous or shameful about them. By understanding why they appear and knowing the right steps to treat, conceal or prevent them, it becomes easier to enjoy your sexuality with ease and peace of mind. After all, the most important thing is shared pleasure... not the marks it leaves on your skin.
