How To Get Rid Of A Hickey
Individuals who wake up with a hickey on their neck or elsewhere on their body are probably on a frantic search for how to get rid of it as soon as possible. Just like any other bruise, hickeys form when the blood vessels under the skin rupture, turning the area red and purple. Hickeys can last days or even weeks when left alone, but these methods will help it fade faster so individuals don't have to wear a scarf or lots of makeup to work every day. Individuals won't have to worry about the mark any longer than necessary with these tips!
Apply A Warm Or Cold Compress
A washcloth warmed with hot water can work wonders on a hickey if it is used several times a day. A warm compress will help the hickey fade away as it promotes blood flow to the affected area. Individuals should apply it about three times a day for ten minutes. They may have to re-warm the cloth several times to make this work. The warm compress method can start on the third or fourth day. When the hickey is fresh, it's best to stick with a cold compress. Individuals can use an ice pack wrapped in a towel or another method mentioned later in this article for this.
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Consume Foods High In Vitamin K
Wanting to heal a hickey is a great time to start eating healthy! Foods high in vitamin K, particularly leafy greens, will help almost any hickey heal quickly. When individuals consume foods high in vitamin K, it promotes blood clotting, helping them heal faster. Some foods rich in vitamin K include kale, spinach, broccoli, and collard greens. Individuals can also use a topical vitamin K cream to speed up the healing process even more. Individuals who have a hickey should also take extra precautions and avoid foods that cause inflammation such as coffee, soda, and sugar.
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Press Back Of Cold Spoon
As mentioned previously, a cold compress can help dramatically with treating a hickey. The best cold compress method to use is to simply press the back of a cold spoon onto the affected area. On the first couple of days, the hickey may be swollen, so individual will want to reduce the blood flow to the area. When they press the chilled spoon against the hickey, it will help slow the blood flow and ease swelling. During the first two or three days, individuals will need to apply the spoon three times a day for ten minutes to see the full effects. This method allows patients to apply the cold directly to their skin whereas other cold compresses, like ice packs, need towels or additional layers between them and the skin.
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Apply Some Aloe
Commonly used for sunburn, aloe vera has both anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing abilities. Simply applying a little aloe to the affected area can calm swelling and help with the discomfort of the hickey. Individuals can find aloe vera cream or gel in almost any store. It simply needs to be applied twice a day to see the effects. Its soothing properties will helpthe individual's hickey feel better and return to its normal appearance. Patients can even break off parts of an aloe vera plant if they happen to have one and rub the gooey gel right onto the affected area.
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Brush Area With A Soft Toothbrush
Simply brush the hickey with a soft toothbrush to break up the blood clots in the affected area. The bristles should be nice and soft to avoid scratching the skin. Individuals should be sure to apply gentle, consistent pressure to help disperse the old blood. This will need to be done a few times a day for five minutes for the full effects. It may be harder to get results with this method alone if the hickey is very big or dark purple. Some hickey veterans swear by the toothpaste method, so don't be afraid to treat a hickey like a tooth! Try using a mint-based toothpaste with this method to double the healing effects.