Hickey scars: Most people are familiar with a hickey, which is a round red or purple mark that appears on the skin after intense kissing, sucking or light biting. Some call it a “love bite” or “kiss mark.” It may look playful or romantic to some, but it also makes many people quietly wonder: Is this actually safe?
So, what is a hickey really?
A hickey is simply a bruise. When someone sucks on your skin, tiny blood vessels (capillaries) under the surface can burst. The leaked blood collects in the surrounding tissue and appears as a red, then purple or brownish mark. Over a few days, your body slowly reabsorbs the blood, and the mark fades just like any other bruise.
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Are hickeys dangerous?
In most healthy people, no. They usually look worse than they are. A hickey is typically a shallow, surface-level bruise that disappears on its own within a few days to about a week.
Possible concerns with a hickey:
In most cases, a hickey is harmless. Very rarely, the damaged blood vessels under the skin can form a small clot. If that clot travels to the brain, it could trigger a stroke. Such cases have been reported, but are extremely uncommon.
More often, the issue is local:
- Very strong or repeated hickeys can leave darker, more painful bruises.
- If the skin actually breaks, the area is more open to infection.
- The spot may feel sore or tender when you press on it, just as any other bruise would.
Do hickeys spread diseases?
The mark itself doesn’t carry or spread infection. A hickey is just trapped blood under the skin. However, the kissing and mouth-to-skin contact that lead to a hickey can pass on certain infections, such as:
- Cold sores (caused by the herpes simplex virus)
- Mononucleosis (often called “the kissing disease”)
How long does a hickey last?
Most hickeys fade within 3–7 days.
Like any bruise, they usually change colour as they heal. The colour changes from red to dark purple, then greenish, and finally yellow before returning to normal skin tone. If the bruise is deep or you tend to bruise easily, the mark can persist for up to two weeks before completely disappearing.
Can hickeys leave scars?
For most people, no. Hickeys usually heal like any other small bruise and fade without leaving a mark. However, if the area is sucked very hard, bruised deeply, or the skin actually breaks, there’s a small chance of:
- Dark patches left behind (hyperpigmentation)
- Tiny permanent marks or scars, especially in people who have very sensitive skin
Who needs to be more careful?
Hickeys can be riskier if you:
- Have a bleeding or clotting disorder (like haemophilia)
- Take blood thinners
- Have fragile blood vessels
When should you see a doctor?
Get medical advice if you notice:
- A hickey that is very large, very dark, or still visible after 2 weeks
- Severe pain, swelling, warmth or pus around the area (this could signal an infection)
- Any unusual symptoms like weakness on one side, trouble speaking, severe headache or vision changes
How to get rid of a hickey?
You can’t erase a hickey instantly, but you can try a few simple tricks to help it settle quickly. On the first day, place a cold pack or even a chilled metal spoon on the area for about 10 minutes at a time. The cold helps slow down further bleeding under the skin and may keep the bruise from spreading too much.
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After a day, try applying a warm compress a few times a day to help your body clear away the trapped blood. Some people also gently massage the area with clean fingers to “spread out” the clot under the skin, but this should be done lightly.
In most cases, a hickey doesn’t mean anything serious for your health. It’s usually just a superficial bruise that fades on its own, though it can be a bit sore or embarrassing while it lasts.