Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What are hickeys?
• Understand the real meaning behind giving a Hickey
• Why do people do hickeys?
• How to give hickeys?
• How to get rid of hickeys faster?
• Conclusion
• FAQs
• References

Introduction

A fun way to hint at your friends to ask you to spill the tea about your new relationship is to show them the hickey on your neck.

Hickey, which often is a way of physical expression of intimacy and passion between partners, can have different meanings for different people.

More often than not, they are harmless. But sometimes when done at the wrong place, it can result in fatal consequences.

What are Hickeys?

Hickeys, also known as love bites or kiss marks, are bruise-like marks on the skin caused by suction or biting, usually on the neck or chest.

A hickey, often perceived as a playful or intimate mark, can symbolize various dimensions of intense emotions within a relationship. 

They can be quite painless, sometimes uncomfortable, or even painful. 

Depending on the intensity of suction and the person's sensitivity, it can last for a few days or up to 2 weeks. 

As they are superficial bruises on the surface of the skin, they go away on their own.

Understanding the Real Meaning Behind Giving a Hickey

At first glance, a hickey might seem like a simple act of affection, a mark left behind in the heat of the moment.

However, when you delve deeper, you'll discover that hickeys can have a deeper meaning attached.

Expression of Intense Emotion:

One of the primary meanings behind giving a hickey is the expression of intense emotion. It's a physical manifestation of passion and desire, a way for lovers to communicate their feelings tangibly and visibly.

Leaving a mark on the skin serves as a testament to the depth of their connection, a silent declaration of love and longing.

Gesture of Physical Connection:

From a different perspective, giving a hickey can be seen as a gesture of physical connection between partners. Rather than focusing on ownership or marking territory, it symbolizes the desire for closeness and intimacy.

Leaving a mark on the skin is a way to express affection and establish a bond that goes beyond words. It's about sharing intimate moments and creating a sense of unity through physical touch, strengthening the emotional connection between two individuals.

Spicing Up the Relationship (BDSM):

For those in BDSM dynamics, hickeys can play a different role altogether. Within the realm of power exchange and erotic play, giving and receiving hickeys can be a form of sensational play.

It's about exploring boundaries, pushing limits, and indulging in the delicious blend of pleasure and pain. In this context, a hickey becomes more than just a mark; it's a symbol of trust, vulnerability, and consensual exploration.

Why Do People Do Hickeys?

People do hickeys as a part of foreplay as giving hickeys increases the excitement during sexual activities.

They are also given as a way of marking territory for your love interest and as a way of showing affection.

It is also considered to be a mark of overtly sexual lust and hunger among youngsters when sexual hormones are at their peak.

And yet for some, it is a physical momento you seek to make for the fact that someone can make you so intensely aroused.

How to Give One?

Giving hickeys to someone is simple.

• Start by asking if they're comfortable with it.
• Always ask for consent.
• Begin by kissing and warming up the neck, then create a gentle suction with your mouth in an "O" shape for about 20-30 seconds.
• Optionally, you can incorporate light biting. And there, the hickey will start showing up in a few minutes.

How to Get Rid of Hickeys Faster?

While you are truly desperate to get rid of a hickey, laser removal for a hickey will still take you a day or two for it to disappear, besides the handsome amount of money you spend on it. Which is why it's best to wait for it to heal on its own.

In the meantime, there are certain things you can do to help heal better and speed up the healing process, and also certain ways to hide them.

For better healing:

Cold compress and hot compress:

They remain the best options available. Using both cold and hot compresses can help heal hickeys faster.

Start with a cold compress to reduce swelling and inflammation by constricting blood vessels.

After a day or two, switch to a warm compress to promote blood circulation, which can aid in the healing process. Alternate between the two for the best results.

Massage:

Massage may help increase blood flow to the affected area, thereby removing the blood clot.

It has to be done outwards from the center of the bruise so that the clotted blood moves away.

Home remedies:

Home remedies such as banana peel massage, and applying aloe vera and other creams or gels to the bruise may help the hickey heal faster.

Leave it alone:

Allowing it to heal and waiting out the process is important. Irritating the area over and over again may result in worsening of the bruise.

To hide them:

Makeup:

Use makeup to conceal a hickey. Start with a green-tinted color corrector to neutralize the redness, then apply a concealer that matches your skin tone on top.

Blend carefully and set with translucent powder for a natural finish.

Clothes:

Wear clothing with a high collar or use a scarf to cover it up.

Hair:

If you have enough long hair to cover it, keep your hair open so that the hickey gets hidden under it. 

Conclusion

A bruise that has been given a meaning, a hickey is an interesting part of our sex life.

We always remember the first time we got one. Along with the excitement, the associated fear or embarrassment, which makes us look for ways to get rid of it before people see it, can be unsettling for some.

Besides the emotions associated with hickeys, there are other things one needs to watch out for.

If swellings and bruises don't go away and continue to persist even after 2 weeks, it's a good idea to visit your healthcare provider.

FAQs

How long do hickeys last?

Depending on the intensity of the suction given and the sensitivity of the person receiving it, hickeys can last anywhere from two days up to two weeks.

How to avoid hickeys?

Communication is the key. Communicate with your partner about wanting to avoid it in certain areas or avoid it altogether.

Are hickeys harmful?

There are rare instances where hickeys have resulted in fatal accidents due to putting too much pressure on the carotid artery that runs down either side of the neck. It can cause blood clotting.

How to avoid harm while giving or getting hickeys?

Injuries to the carotid artery can lead to the formation or dislodgement of blood clots, affecting blood flow to the brain, neck, and face. Therefore, avoid areas where carotid arteries flow.

Are hickeys a form of abuse?

Hickeys themselves aren't inherently abusive, as they can be the result of consensual and enjoyable intimate moments between partners. However, if someone is leaving hickeys without consent or disregarding their partner's boundaries, it can be a form of abuse or lack of respect for personal boundaries.

References

• PharmEasy. How to Get Rid of Hickeys: Research-Backed Remedies and Prevention Tips. Available at https://pharmeasy.in/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-hickeys-research-backed-remedies-and-prevention-tips/. (Accessed on 09/05/2024).
• MedicineNet. How Do You Get Rid of a Hickey in Seconds? Available at https://www.medicinenet.com/how_do_you_get_rid_of_a_hickey_in_seconds/article.htm. (Accessed on 09/05/2024).
• Healthessentials (2024). How to Get Rid of Your Hickey, Fast. Available at https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-rid-of-a-hickey. (Accessed on 10/05/2024).
• Health. How Do You Get Rid of Hickeys Fast? Available at https://www.health.com/condition/skin-conditions/how-to-get-rid-of-hickey. (Accessed on 10/05/2024).
• WebMD. Hickeys. Available at https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hickey-what-you-need-to-know. (Accessed on 10/05/2024).
• HealthLine. Can Hickeys Give You Cancer? Healthline. Available at https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/can-hickeys-give-you-cancer (Accessed on 11/05/2024).