How to Get Rid of a Hickey

We've all had those embarrassing moments where we forgot to control ourselves and ended up with an embarrassing hickey on your neck. Nothing is more tasteless or distracting to friends, family and co-workers than a hickey. First advice for the future is to not let people give you hickeys, but if cannot be avoided here are some tips to help you remove the blemish. Remember that hickeys are bruises of the skin and do not go away instantly, but these tips will help you minimize the damage. Time heals everything though.

- Act quickly! As soon as you notice the hickeys take action. The longer you wait the more trouble the removal will be.

- Apply ice, but not directly. Wrap the ice in a paper towel. An ice pack can also work. Don't apply directly for more than 20 minutes without a rest and they apply again.

- Massage the area with your fingers, the end of a brush, a comb, Chap Stick top, or a pen top. Anything to get new blood moving to the affected area. Use a twisting motion. This may hurt a little, but it is better than having the ugly marks on your skin.

- 24-48 hours after the damage has been done apply heat like a warm towel or tea bag.

Other Ideas

- Disguise it as a curling iron burn. This will usually only work for women, but you can burn the area slightly and pretend you're a klutz with a curling iron.

- Cover it up with make-up. Apply concealer for red or blemished skin and foundation lighter than your skin tone this way it doesn't look like you're trying to cover something.

- Wear your hair differently to cover the hickey. Again this will usually only work for girls.

- Turtlenecks in the fall and winter work very well.

Be sure to have them take it easier next time so you won't have to deal with this.