Hickeys, also known as love bites, are often a fun and passionate sign of affection. However, they can become a source of embarrassment when they appear in visible places like your neck, especially if you need to be somewhere important or are meeting people. While they usually fade away naturally within a few days to a week, many people want to get rid of them faster. You might have heard of using toothpaste as a way to remove or reduce the appearance of a hickey quickly. But does it actually work? And how can you use toothpaste to get rid of a hickey in seconds? Visit here for more information.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the science behind toothpaste and how it can help with hickey removal, plus a step-by-step method on how to use it. Let’s dive in!

What is a Hickey and How Does It Form?

A hickey is essentially a bruise that forms when blood vessels beneath the skin rupture due to suction or light biting. This breaks tiny capillaries, allowing blood to leak into the surrounding tissue, which causes the characteristic red, purple, or dark mark. While most people get hickeys during intimate moments, they can be both fun and unexpected, sometimes becoming visible at the most inconvenient times.

Hickeys usually take several days or even a couple of weeks to heal completely, but there are ways to speed up the process and make them less noticeable. One popular home remedy is using toothpaste to reduce the appearance of a hickey, and while this may not make the mark vanish immediately, it can make a noticeable difference.

Why Use Toothpaste to Remove a Hickey?

Toothpaste may seem like an odd choice for healing a hickey, but it actually has several properties that make it an effective and affordable option for reducing the visibility of a bruise. Here's why:

1. Cooling Sensation
Toothpaste, especially those that contain menthol or mint, has a cooling effect. This cooling sensation helps constrict the blood vessels in the area where the hickey is located, which can reduce swelling and redness. When applied to the skin, it can create a soothing, numbing feeling, providing instant relief from the discomfort that often accompanies a hickey.

2. Exfoliation
Some toothpastes contain mild exfoliating ingredients like baking soda. These can help remove dead skin cells and stimulate circulation, which is essential for speeding up the healing process of the bruise. Exfoliating may also help break up the trapped blood that causes the discoloration of the hickey, allowing the body to absorb it more quickly.

3. Soothing and Moisturizing Ingredients
Many toothpastes also contain glycerin, which helps to moisturize and soothe the skin. This can be particularly useful in reducing irritation or discomfort associated with a hickey. The cooling and hydrating properties of the toothpaste will not only make the hickey less visible but will also reduce any tenderness in the area.

While toothpaste won't remove a hickey in a matter of seconds, it can reduce its appearance and make it less noticeable quickly, which is exactly what you want when you’re in a pinch.

Step-by-Step Guide to Remove a Hickey with Toothpaste

Now that we know why toothpaste can help, let's go over the step-by-step process of how to use it to reduce or remove a hickey in the shortest time possible.

Step 1: Choose the Right Toothpaste
The most important part of using toothpaste for a hickey is choosing the right type. For this remedy to work, you should use regular white toothpaste, not the gel-based kind. Gel toothpaste typically lacks the cooling, exfoliating, and soothing properties needed to help with hickey removal. Choose a toothpaste that contains menthol, fluoride, or baking soda, as these ingredients are key to reducing swelling and promoting healing.

Step 2: Clean the Affected Area
Before applying toothpaste, make sure the skin around the hickey is clean. Use lukewarm water and a mild soap to gently wash the area. This removes any oils, dirt, or makeup that might interfere with the application of the toothpaste. After washing, pat the area dry with a clean towel. Clean skin allows the toothpaste to penetrate better and do its job.

Step 3: Apply a Small Amount of Toothpaste
Squeeze a small amount of white toothpaste onto your fingertip—around the size of a pea. Gently apply the toothpaste to the hickey using light, circular motions. Be sure to cover the entire bruise, but do not rub too harshly. This could irritate the sensitive skin. The goal is to lightly spread the toothpaste so it can work its magic without causing discomfort.

Step 4: Leave the Toothpaste on for 5-10 Minutes
Once the toothpaste is applied, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. During this time, the menthol will begin to cool and constrict the blood vessels, while the baking soda will help exfoliate and increase circulation. You might feel a slight tingling or cooling sensation, which is normal. If you feel any discomfort, remove the toothpaste immediately.

Step 5: Rinse Off the Toothpaste
After 5 to 10 minutes, rinse the toothpaste off with lukewarm water. Be gentle when rinsing to avoid irritating the skin. Pat the area dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture.

Step 6: Moisturize the Skin
After washing off the toothpaste, apply a soothing moisturizer to the area. Aloe vera gel is an excellent choice as it has calming and hydrating properties. This helps prevent dryness or irritation caused by the toothpaste and provides relief to the skin.

Step 7: Repeat if Necessary
If you feel the need to apply toothpaste again, you can do so once or twice a day until you see a noticeable improvement in the appearance of the hickey. However, it’s important not to overdo it, as too much toothpaste can dry out the skin.

How Quickly Can You Expect Results?

While toothpaste may reduce the visibility of a hickey almost immediately, it’s important to understand that it won’t make the mark disappear in seconds. You will likely notice some reduction in swelling and redness after a single application, but complete healing will take more time. A hickey’s color will gradually fade as your body absorbs the pooled blood.

After the first application, you may notice that the hickey looks a little less intense. Over the next few hours, it should continue to fade. Typically, you should see the most noticeable changes within 24 hours of applying the toothpaste. While this isn’t an instant fix, it can certainly speed up the process.

Additional Tips to Speed Up Hickey Healing

If you want to further minimize the appearance of your hickey, try combining the toothpaste method with other treatments:

1. Cold Compress (First 24 Hours)
Applying a cold compress to the hickey right after it forms can help reduce swelling and the size of the bruise. The cold constricts the blood vessels, preventing the blood from spreading. Apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 10-15 minutes at a time.

2. Warm Compress (After 24 Hours)
After the first 24 hours, you can switch to a warm compress. Heat helps promote better circulation, which allows your body to absorb the blood more quickly. Use a warm, damp cloth and apply it to the hickey for 10-15 minutes.

3. Massage the Area
Once the bruise starts to heal, gently massaging the hickey can promote blood flow. Use your fingers to massage the area in small circular motions. This can help break down the blood clot and speed up the healing process.

4. Vitamin K Cream
Vitamin K has long been associated with faster healing of bruises. Applying Vitamin K cream directly to the hickey may help promote the absorption of the blood, reducing the appearance of the bruise.

5. Conceal with Makeup
If you need to hide the hickey quickly, makeup can be your best friend. Use a color-correcting concealer in a green shade to neutralize the redness of the bruise. Follow with a full-coverage foundation that matches your skin tone, and finish with a setting powder to ensure the makeup stays in place.

Final Thoughts

Toothpaste can be a surprisingly effective home remedy to reduce the appearance of a hickey quickly. While it won’t remove the mark in seconds, the cooling, exfoliating, and soothing properties of toothpaste can help minimize swelling and redness, making your hickey less noticeable in a short period of time. By following the steps outlined above and combining toothpaste with other remedies like cold or warm compresses, Vitamin K, and massage, you can speed up the healing process and have your skin looking clear and bruise-free in no time.