How to Reduce the Appearance of a Hickey - 

Quick Hickey Fixes

A hickey is a bruise caused by broken blood vessels under the skin. While you can't make it vanish in a day, these steps can help it fade faster and become less noticeable.

Step 1: The Cold Compress (First 24-48 Hours)

Immediately after the hickey appears, the goal is to stop the internal bleeding and reduce swelling. This is best achieved by applying something cold to the area. Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, or get smaller, which limits the amount of blood that can escape into the surrounding tissue [1, 2].

• Method: Use a cold compress, an ice pack wrapped in a towel, or even a chilled spoon. Gently press it against the hickey for 10-15 minutes at a time. Repeat this several times during the first 24-48 hours.

Step 2: The Warm Compress and Massage (After 48 Hours)

Once the initial swelling has gone down, it's time to switch to a warm compress. Heat helps to dilate, or open up, the blood vessels. This increased blood flow can help the body reabsorb the pooled blood more quickly, speeding up the healing process [1, 3].

• Method: Use a warm towel or a heating pad. Apply the warm compress to the area for 5-10 minutes. You can also gently massage the hickey with your fingers to help disperse the clotted blood [2].

Step 3: Topical Treatments

Certain topical creams and gels can assist with the healing process.

• Arnica: Arnica is a natural herb known for its ability to reduce bruising. Applying an arnica gel or cream to the hickey may help decrease discoloration and swelling [1, 3].
• Vitamin K Cream: Vitamin K plays a role in blood clotting and may help the body heal the broken capillaries, reducing the appearance of the bruise [1, 2].

Step 4: Concealment

When you absolutely need the hickey to be gone for the day, your most reliable option is concealment.

• Makeup: Use a color-correcting concealer with a green tint, as green is opposite red and purple on the color wheel. This will help to neutralize the hickey's color. Follow with a concealer that matches your skin tone and set with a translucent powder [2].
• Clothing: A simple scarf, high-collared shirt, or turtleneck can effectively hide the hickey until it has time to fade on its own.

Here are the references for the information provided in the document.

• 1. GoodRx: "How Can You Get Rid of a Hickey Fast?". Retrieved from https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/dermatology/how-to-get-rid-of-hickey-fast

• 2. Health.com: "8 Simple Ways To Get Rid of a Hickey Fast". Retrieved from https://www.health.com/condition/skin-conditions/how-to-get-rid-of-hickey

• 3. InStyle: "How to Get Rid of a Hickey ASAP, According to Dermatologists". Retrieved from https://www.instyle.com/lifestyle/how-to-get-rid-of-a-hickey

I hope those links help you verify the information and read more about the topic!