# The Internet Is Full of Hickey Hacks—Experts Say These Tips Actually Help
Hickeys happen. When they do, the internet floods with remedies ranging from ice cubes to makeup tricks. Cosmopolitan investigated which hacks dermatologists and beauty experts actually recommend.
Cold therapy works in the immediate aftermath. Applying ice within the first 24 hours constricts blood vessels and minimizes the bruise's visibility. This is the closest thing to a proven method for prevention or early intervention.
Makeup offers the most practical short-term solution. Color-correcting concealers counteract the purple and blue tones typical of fresh hickeys. Green-tinted correctors neutralize red undertones, while peach or orange correctors tackle blue bruising. Full-coverage foundations and creamy concealers then seal the correction. This layering technique works because hickeys are essentially bruises with concentrated pigmentation.
Vitamin E oil, silicone-based serums, and retinol products appear in countless TikTok tutorials claiming to fade hickeys faster. Dermatologists remain skeptical about their specific efficacy for bruising, though moisturizers support overall skin healing.
Arnica, a popular bruise remedy, shows modest evidence in some studies but inconsistent results in others. The timeline matters. Most hickeys naturally fade within five to fourteen days as the body reabsorbs the blood. Patience beats most interventions.
Avoid friction, heat, and massage in the early stages. These worsen bruising by increasing inflammation and breaking down more blood cells. Wait at least 48 hours before applying heat or attempting massage techniques.
The internet's most aggressively promoted hacks, including spoon-rubbing and coin-scraping, lack scientific backing and risk worsening skin damage. High-pressure suction tools marketed as