Here’s How to Give a Hickey
If you’ve ever worn a turtleneck in 70-degree weather or tried to discreetly sneak a cold compress out of the freezer without your parents noticing, then you’ve probably had a hickey before. For those who might be thinking a what? a hickey is a mark caused by sucking on skin until the small blood vessels underneath burst. It pretty much looks like a bruise, and it can be anywhere on the body, though the most common location is on the neck (hence the turtleneck).
Unfortunately, there’s no immediate hack to completely get rid of a hickey, but there are some remedies that can help minimize the dark blemish (hence the cold compress). Some people find hickeys a fun turn-on, and don’t mind hiding them for a few days, while others may find themselves with one accidentally. From how to give a hickey to tips for covering them up, here’s everything you may have wondered about hickeys.
How do I give a hickey?
Before you give a hickey, make sure to ask the receiver if they actually want one. Some people won’t want a bruise on their neck, or anywhere else for that matter. They might let you give them a hickey, but only somewhere they can easily cover up, like below their neck, on their chest, or on their stomach. Or they may say go for it on the neck, and in that case, proceed as you wish.
From there, you pretty much move your mouth like you’re making out with someone, except this time, you’re making out with skin. You suck a bit more and even nibble a little, if you’re feeling extra spicy. Keep doing this for about 20 to 30 seconds. Again, consent is important — so, if your partner says, “Hold up, it seems like it’s getting dark,” or says it hurts, stop immediately.
Do hickeys hurt?
It depends on your pain tolerance. Hickeys are meant to feel enjoyable, but if it hurts for you to get one, let your partner know they should stop. Sometimes you may feel a little pressure when you’re getting a hickey, but that’s normal since someone is literally sucking on your skin.
Do hickeys feel good?
They can. Some people love getting hickeys and find it to be a big turn on. But again, if you don’t like the feeling, ask your partner to stop.
How long does it take to get a hickey?
Many people don’t give a hickey with the intent to bruise their partner, but sometimes it can be an accidental result of too much pressure while neck sucking. To form a hickey, try sucking on the skin for about 20 to 30 seconds. Once you’re done, the bruise can take anywhere from five to 10 minutes to appear. Of course, some people bruise easier than others, so the effect will be different depending on the person.
How long do hickeys last?
It’s hard to say exactly how long a hickey is going to last. It depends on how prominent it is and what your skin is like, but it will most likely last a few days, like any other bruise. If you want to get rid of your hickey faster (or hide it while it’s still fresh), don’t worry, we’ve got all the tips.
You could rotate through all of the scarves and turtlenecks in your closet, or you could opt to cover up a hickey with a pigmented concealer or color corrector. If makeup alone isn’t doing the trick, ice, cold compresses, and arnica cream are other options that could help reduce the swelling and redness.
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