Kiss Goodbye to Hickeys: Dermatologist-Recommended Methods for Quick Healing
In the heat of the moment, sometimes it's hard to know how rough you are until the hickey or love bite hits the next morning! If you've ever ended up with little purple marks on your skin after a night of canoodling, you know what we're talking about. Bruises, most commonly found on the neck and arms, are caused by kissing or sucking the skin, which can lead to broken blood vessels under the skin. If you are looking for how to get rid of hickeys and landed here, you know what this obsession is all about! Let us help you with some expert tips.
1. Put some ice on it
As mentioned, a hickey is nothing more than a bruise, so cold compresses can help. Take some ice and rub it on the area. It will move and break up the clotted blood, which is what you need if you want to get rid of hickeys.
2. Followed by warm compress
After 48 hours of using the cold compress, apply a warm compress 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 medicine
When natural remedies don't work, you turn to science for help. We are talking about taking medicine (recommended by your doctor) which is used to treat bruises. Next, you can use creams like arnica cream or thrombophobe cream, which are commonly used by people for bruises. However, do not buy medicine without consulting a doctor.
Home Remedies for Hickeys: Know What Works and What Doesn't
There are many videos that claim that you can get rid of hickeys in an instant. We wish it were possible, but it isn't. Love bites or bruises do not go away immediately and take a few days to heal. Unfortunately, you'll need a temporary solution to hide it. Meanwhile, you can try the above methods to get rid of hickey. But don't believe what you see on social media. Having said that, here are internet hacks for hickeys that might not work.
1. Aloe vera gel
While aloe vera gel is a powerful ingredient full of nutrients, it won't help you get rid of hickeys. Dr. Applying aloe vera gel to love bites will not remove the marks or heal the bruises, says Goyal. However, it has hydrating benefits and can be used as a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and help it heal faster.
2. Peppermint spray
Another hack doing the rounds on the internet is peppermint spray but this has again failed. Dr. Goyal shares that peppermint stops bleeding and reduces love stings. However, repeated rubbing of peppermint oil can cause skin irritation that can cause further skin reactions. I will advise you to skip this hack.
3. Banana peel hack
This is another trend that you must have seen on the internet. Yes, banana peel contains antioxidants and provides soothing benefits but it does not remove the scars. It helps in giving a soothing effect to your skin.
4. Other similar hacks that don't work
According to the expert, it is advisable to avoid the use of peppermint oil, toothpaste, alcohol and any such ingredients as they can cause skin reactions and lead to problems.