How to Get Rid of a Hickey Fast

Hiding a Hickey

stockimages, via freedigitalphotos.net

Last night, you got sweet and cuddly with your partner, exchanged passionate kisses which lingered a tad bit longer than usual. And now, you notice a hickey on your neck, a red mark that reminds you of the happenings of last night. While a hickey may not be a problem for you, you are sure that you would be the center of attention when your officemates see them and you can already hear how they would tease you all day because of your hickey.

A hickey isn't harmful and it usually heals on its own after a week. You can just conceal your hickey with makeup and wait for it to go away. But that could be uncomfortable at times. So here are some tips on how to get rid of a hickey fast using some handy tools right in your own home.

What Causes a Hickey?

Before moving on, you might want to know a little more about a hickey. A hickey forms when somebody sucks on your skin, causing the blood vessels to break. The result is that familiar red or brown mark on the skin with a circular shape. Also called a love bite, a hickey may be an unwanted outcome of a passionate kiss, especially if your partner sucked on your skin too harshly. The greater the pressure, the larger the hickey. So next time you plan to get intimate with your partner, you might want to remind him or her to calm down a little and go easy on your skin to prevent a hickey.

How to Get Rid of a Hickey Really Fast

1. Cool the hickey.

As soon as you see a hickey, immediately apply ice on the affected area. You can also put a spoon in the freezer and once it’s cool, press it against your hickey. This helps reduce swelling and redness.

2. Massage it.

After cooling your hickey, the next step is to massage it. This gets the blood flowing. It is recommended to use a brush with soft bristles to do this. Massage from the inside and slowly work your way toward the outer edges of the hickey.

3. Give it a twist.

Grab a pen cap or any object with a similar shape. Position it over the hickey then twist it. Apply just the right amount of pressure so it does not hurt a lot. This might seem like a weird trick but it does help remove a hickey as it causes blood to go deeper into the skin.

4. Apply a warm compress.

If your hickey lasts for more than 48 hours, which is often the case, it is time to try some heat therapy. Apply a warm compress on the hickey for about 10 minutes. You can also put warm water in a bottle or soak a wash cloth in hot water and use it as a warm compress. This method is particularly recommended if your hickey hurts and you want to reduce pain. Just make sure that you only do this if your hickey is at least two days old, as doing this during the first 48 hours may make your hickey worse.

5. Cover it up.

Be consistent in doing the steps above and you will soon get rid of your hickey. While waiting for the hickey to fade, you might want to summon your creative sense of style and look in your closet for clothes that will help conceal your hickey. Turtlenecks and scarves are two popular choices. You can also use a concealer to hide your hickey.

Does Toothpaste Get Rid of a Hickey?

You have probably heard that you can get rid of a hickey with toothpaste. However, this is just a myth. As mentioned above, you get a hickey when your blood vessels break. Toothpaste cannot do anything to repair damaged blood vessels, and therefore, not an effective home remedy for a hickey.

Read More

How to Get Rid of Age Spots on Face | Home Remedies for Age Spots

Age Spots on Face

Age spots add to the long list of troubles and concerns that you face once you hit your 40s. Age spots are those dark spots on your skin that pop up usually after the age of 40, although there may be cases where they can show up at an earlier age. These unsightly spots make you look older than you really are, exacerbated by other nuisances such as wrinkles and crow’s feet.

The good news is that age spots are completely harmless. But nevertheless, they still cause enough trouble for you to be conscious about your looks. Luckily, you can choose from home remedies, over-the-counter medications and various treatments when trying to remove age spots. Keep reading to find out how to get rid of age spots naturally at home.

What Causes Age Spots?

Despite its name, age spots are not only a result of aging. The primary cause of age pots is accumulated sun damage. If you are frequently exposed to the sun, your skin produces melanin to protect it from the harmful ultraviolet rays. Too much melanin, though, leads to age spots. Also called liver spots or sun spots, these marks can also be due to genetics. Some people are genetically predisposed to develop age spots. Those with fair skin are also more likely to suffer from age spots because of extra melanin production. 

How to Get Rid of Age Spots on Face

1. Use lemon juice.

The acidic nature of lemon juice helps lighten age spots. It is even used to remove freckles. Apply lemon juice to your age spots twice a day to lighten their appearance.

2. Try honey and yogurt.

You can make a natural bleach by mixing honey and yogurt. Just combine 1 tsp. each of honey and yogurt then apply it to your age spots. Let it dry then rinse thoroughly with water. Do this once daily.

3. Use over-the-counter medications.

There are a lot of OTC medications that will help you get rid of age spots. Choose one that contains hydroquinone, kojic acid or glycolic acid. Hydroquinone is a bleaching agent that is scientifically proven to be safe for skin use.

4. Wear sunscreen.

As mentioned earlier, the main cause of age spots is sun damage. You may not notice it right away but too much sun exposure will eventually show its effects on your skin as you age. It is a must that you protect yourself from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Wear sunscreen with at least SPF 15 before you go outside.

5. Medical treatments.

If you are willing to spend money to get rid of age spots on your face, you can try various medical treatments. Some of the common options are chemical peel, dermabrasion and laser treatment. Chemical peel involves the use of certain acids to remove the outermost layer of the skin. This helps promote skin regeneration and allow a new and healthy layer to surface. Dermabrasion involves the use of a rotating brush to sand off the outer layer of skin. Finally, laser therapy uses various types of lasers to remove accumulated melanin. This may require multiple treatments to see the effects.

How to Prevent Age Spots

·         Avoid sun exposure. This is the most obvious way to prevent sun spots but you can always use a quick reminder. As much as possible, avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are at its most intense.

·         Wear protective clothing. Of course, it is difficult to completely avoid sun exposure. But during times when you need to head outside and have direct contact with the harmful rays of the sun, make sure you wear protective clothing and gears such as long-sleeved shirt, sunglasses and umbrella.

·         Always wear sunscreen. If you think that applying sunscreen once makes you safe from sun damage, think again. Generally, you need to reapply sunscreen every two hours. This will ensure that you have protection from the sun and help you avoid age spots and other skin diseases.

Remember that you need to be consistent at doing the steps above to get rid of brown spots on your face. And to be on the safe side, consult your doctor and have your age spots checked. In some cases, what’s thought to be just an age spot is actually melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.

Read More