How Long Do Hickeys Last? Your Ultimate Guide to Healing and Care

Hickeys, often known as love bites or kiss marks, are the result of a passionate kiss or bite on the skin, typically leaving a bruise. While some people wear them proudly as a sign of affection, others may find themselves wondering how long a hickey will last—especially if it appears unexpectedly or in a visible area. Whether it’s your first hickey or you’re simply looking for ways to speed up the healing process, understanding how long hickeys last and what you can do to treat them can help you manage them better.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about how long do hickeys last, what causes them, and how to speed up their healing. So, if you're dealing with a hickey, read on to learn how to get rid of it and how to prevent them in the future.

What is a Hickey?

A hickey occurs when suction or biting on the skin causes blood vessels to break underneath the skin’s surface. The resulting bruise typically appears in shades of red, purple, blue, and even yellow as it heals. While hickeys are usually harmless, they can be a little embarrassing, especially when they show up in places that are hard to hide.

The mark itself is just like any other bruise—essentially, blood is trapped beneath the skin due to minor trauma. Unlike a typical bruise that may happen from a bump or fall, a hickey is caused by the forceful sucking or nibbling on the skin. Though the process is temporary, the healing time can vary based on a few factors.

How Long Do Hickeys Last?

The duration of a hickey typically lasts between 3 to 14 days, with the color and visibility changing over time as the bruise heals. Various factors can impact the time it takes for a hickey to fade completely. Let’s explore some of the main elements that influence how long a hickey lasts:

1. Severity of the Hickey

One of the primary factors that determine how long a hickey will last is its severity. A hickey occurs when blood vessels under the skin rupture, and the severity depends on how much blood is released into the surrounding tissue. If the hickey is minor, it may only take a few days to heal. However, deeper bruises that involve more blood may take longer—up to two weeks or more.

• Mild hickeys: These usually last around 3–5 days.

• Moderate hickeys: These take around 6–8 days to heal.

• Severe hickeys: These can last from 10 to 14 days, depending on how much blood is pooled under the skin.

2. Location of the Hickey

The location of the hickey on your body can also play a role in how long it takes to heal. Areas that are rich in blood flow tend to heal faster. For instance, hickeys on the face or neck may heal quicker than those on the chest or arms, as these areas have a better blood supply.

However, some areas are more sensitive than others, and bruises on thinner skin may be more visible and last longer. For example, if you get a hickey on a delicate area like your neck, it may appear more prominent and take a little longer to heal, especially if the skin is fair.

3. Your Skin Type and Tone

Your skin type and color also affect the appearance and duration of a hickey. People with lighter skin tones may notice the hickey more because the contrast between the red or purple bruise and pale skin is more pronounced. Conversely, those with darker skin tones may find that the bruise is less visible, and it might take longer for the hickey to fully fade.

In general, people with darker skin may experience hickeys that take a bit longer to heal, but they might not appear as obvious on the skin. Fair-skinned individuals may have more visible marks, but they can heal faster.

4. Age and General Health

As you age, your skin becomes less elastic, and your blood vessels become more fragile, which can affect how long a hickey lasts. Younger individuals typically heal faster, while older people may take longer to recover. Additionally, the overall health of your circulatory system can influence the speed of healing. People with poor circulation or those who are not well-hydrated may notice that their hickeys take longer to fade.

5. How You Care for a Hickey

Taking care of a hickey after it occurs can significantly impact how long it lasts. Immediate care like applying ice or heat, massaging the area, and using certain topical treatments can speed up healing. If you don’t take action to minimize the severity of the bruise, it might last longer than expected.

The Phases of a Hickey’s Healing Process

A hickey follows a typical pattern of color changes as it heals. Here’s what to expect throughout the process:

Day 1: The Fresh Hickey

When a hickey first forms, it’s typically red or purple in color due to fresh blood accumulating under the skin. At this stage, the bruise might be a bit swollen and tender. Applying a cold compress or ice pack immediately can help reduce swelling and prevent the bruise from becoming too severe.

Day 2–3: The Bruise Darkens

After a couple of days, the hickey’s color will begin to darken and may turn shades of purple, blue, or even black. This is a sign that the blood vessels are beginning to heal, but the bruising is still prominent. At this point, applying a warm compress can help to improve circulation and break up the blood that has accumulated under the skin.

Day 4–6: The Hickey Starts to Fade

By this time, the color of the hickey will likely start to shift from purple or blue to greenish or yellow. This is the body’s way of reabsorbing the pooled blood. The swelling should also subside, and the hickey will start to become less noticeable.

Day 7–14: Full Recovery

For most people, a hickey will have faded significantly by day seven. If the hickey was particularly deep, it could last up to two weeks. By the end of this period, the bruised area should be healed, and any discoloration should be completely gone.

How to Speed Up the Healing of a Hickey

While a hickey typically fades on its own, there are a few strategies you can use to accelerate the healing process and minimize the amount of time the mark stays visible.

1. Apply Ice Immediately

If you catch the hickey early, applying a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth can reduce swelling and help prevent the bruise from becoming worse. Use the ice for about 10–15 minutes, several times during the first 24 hours.

2. Switch to a Warm Compress

After the first 48 hours, switch to a warm compress to encourage blood circulation. This can help the body break down the blood under the skin and reduce the visibility of the bruise.

3. Massage the Hickey

Gently massaging the area around the hickey can help to increase blood flow, which promotes faster healing. Avoid applying too much pressure, as this can cause further damage to the skin.

4. Use Aloe Vera or Vitamin K Cream

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe the area while promoting healing. Vitamin K cream is also known for helping reduce bruising and can be applied directly to the hickey to speed up the healing process.

5. Conceal with Makeup

If you need a quick fix, consider using makeup to hide the hickey. Use a color-correcting concealer (green for red marks, yellow for purple bruises) and apply a layer of foundation to even out your skin tone.

Conclusion: How Long Do Hickeys Last?

In most cases, hickeys last between 3 to 14 days, with the exact duration depending on factors such as the severity of the hickey, its location, your skin type, and how well you care for it. While the mark will eventually fade, taking proactive steps such as using cold compresses, massaging the area, and applying topical treatments can help speed up the healing process. Remember, patience is key—hickeys may be temporary, but following these tips can help you manage and heal them faster.