How to Get Rid of a Hickey Fast: Easy Tips, Remedies & Cover-Ups

Who out there has tried, but doesn’t know how to get rid of a hickey? We’ve all been there.

Whether it popped up after a moment of passion or pure curiosity, a hickey can feel like a loud secret sitting on your neck — or other body part — for everyone to see.

Before you panic or reach for the turtleneck, take a breath. A hickey is just a bruise under the skin, and there are plenty of quick, simple ways to fade it fast—or hide it until it’s gone.

How Do You Get a Hickey? Are Hickeys “Bad”?

Let’s be honest—the process of getting a hickey isn’t exactly unpleasant. In the heat of the moment, when someone kisses, bites, or sucks the skin (usually the neck) a little too intensely, those tiny blood vessels right under the surface can burst. The result? A dark red or purple mark known as a hickey, or “love bite.”

According to WebMD, that mark is simply a small bruise caused by ruptured capillaries under your skin. It might look dramatic, but it’s harmless and fades naturally over time as your body breaks down and reabsorbs the trapped blood.

So no, a hickey isn’t “bad.” What’s awkward is the attention it can draw, especially if it’s somewhere visible. Whether you’re trying to keep things professional at work or low-key around family, knowing how to get rid of a hickey quickly can definitely save you some embarrassment and side-eye.

How Long Do Hickeys Last?

Before we get into how to get rid of a hickey, let’s talk about how long you might be stuck with it. Knowing how long it lasts can help you plan the best ways to get rid of a hickey before an important event or workday. On its own, a hickey usually fades within seven to 10 days, depending on how dark it is and how fast your body heals.

It’s normal for it to change colors as it heals—first red, then purple or blue, and eventually yellow or green before it disappears completely. That’s just your body breaking down the blood under your skin and reabsorbing it.

Here’s a general timeline for what that process looks like (though it can vary depending on your skin tone and how your body bruises):

Day 1: The hickey looks red from fresh blood under the skin.
Days 2–3: The area darkens to a blue or purple shade.
Days 4–6: The bruise starts turning green or yellow as it begins to heal.
Days 7–10: The hickey fades into a light brown or yellowish tint before disappearing.

One thing you don’t want to do is pick, poke, or keep pressing on it. Too much pressure can irritate the skin and make the bruise last longer than it needs to.

How to Hide a Hickey

There are no particular treatments that can make a hickey go away overnight, but here are a few creative tips to cover up your hickey:

Accessories and clothing such as high collars, turtlenecks, and scarves
Makeup concealer

How to Fade a Hickey Fast

If makeup, clothing, and accessories don’t do the trick or satisfy you, applying these natural remedies can help you get rid of the hickey within a day or two:

Aloe vera pulp – reduces inflammation, pain, and swelling
Apple cider vinegar – expands the blood stream toward the surface
Banana peel – may help reduce bruising and irritation
Cocoa butter – may decrease or eliminate the bruising
Cold compress or spoon – slows down the blood flow from the broken capillaries and reduces the size of the hickey
Ice – may reduce the swelling and make the hickey less noticeable
Peppermint oil – the menthol may speed up the healing of the hickey
Pineapple slice – the bromelain enzyme may reduce inflammation, soreness, and swelling
Toothpaste – preferably peppermint-based, which can lighten the hickey
Vitamin C cream – can speed up the healing of the hickey and eliminate it
Vitamin K cream – may speed up the healing of the hickey

Be careful with applying each of these to the bruising, especially if you notice any irritation.

For instance, pineapples are acidic and may irritate your skin depending on your skin sensitivity and how often it is applied to the hickey.

How to Get Rid of a Hickey Overnight

Let’s keep it real—there’s no magic eraser for a hickey. But if you catch it early, you can tone it down overnight. Start by calming the area with a cold compress. Wrap some ice in a towel (never put it directly on your skin) and hold it over the spot for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, several times a day. The cold helps slow blood flow, reduce swelling, and stop the bruise from spreading.

If it’s tender, go ahead and take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease any soreness or puffiness. After the first day or two, switch it up to a warm compress—that heat gets your blood moving again and helps your body clear out the trapped blood under the skin.

Want to give your skin a little extra love to help speed up healing? Massage the area gently in circles (emphasis on gently), and try applying a small amount of aloe vera gel, vitamin K cream, or diluted peppermint oil after warming it up.

FAQ About Hickeys

Can a hickey really go away overnight?
Not usually—but you can make it look way less noticeable. The combo of cold, then warm compresses can shrink it down faster, especially if you act quickly.

Do hickeys hurt, and how can you get rid of the pain?
Sometimes! Right after it happens, the area can feel tender or sore—especially if the nibble or suction was intense or the bruise is deep. The discomfort usually fades within a day or two. Just apply ice and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever can help ease the soreness.

Does toothpaste really work on hickeys?
Some people swear by it because the peppermint boosts circulation, but our best advice is that it’s hit or miss. If you try it, use just a dab and wash it off if your skin feels tingly or irritated.

Should I rub, comb, or brush the hickey to make it fade?
The comb trick was something folks used back in the day. You can definitely do a gentle massage after a day or two to help move the blood under the skin. But skip the old “comb or toothbrush trick.” That can make things redder and worse.

What’s the best way to hide it if it’s still showing?
Grab a color-correcting concealer: green cancels red, and peach tones cancel purple or dark spots. Blend it in, add your foundation, and set it with powder so it stays put. A cute scarf or high collar never hurts, either.

How to Get Rid of a Hickey Fast

A hickey shows up in seconds but takes a little patience to fade. If you’re wondering how to get rid of a hickey, there is some good news. With the right mix of cold and warm compresses and care, you can help it heal faster—and keep it from stealing your shine. Now that you know how to get rid of a hickey — whether you cover it up, cool it down, or treat it naturally — just remember: it’s temporary and totally normal.

By Shanika Carter | Published October 10, 2025