I was confused until he showed me the massive hickey covering his neck.
Andspoiler alertmost of these tricks fall into the “what doesn’t” category.
Scroll down to get the scoop.
Getty Images/Graphic by Cristina Cianci
How it works:Put a spoon in the refrigerator or freezer for 10 minutes.
Then, take it out and place the convex side on your hickey.
Do this enough, and your hickey will (supposedly) disappear.
The verdict: It won’t make your hickey go away, but it might soothe your inflamed skin.Dr.
Shah says there’s no real harm in trying this hack.
Aloe vera won’t make your hickey disappear overnight, and it won’t magically heal your broken capillaries.
Butaloe verais generally safe to use, and it might soothe some of the inflammation you’re experiencing.
How it works:Pull the skin surrounding your hickey apart so it’s taut.
The verdict: Stop what you’re doing; you might actually make your hickey worse.Dr.
Shah says these methods won’t do anything to help your hickey.
There’s no evidence that they’ll “break up” a bruise or speed up your healing process.
In fact, you might be further traumatizing the area, which will only worsen your existing hickey.
How it works:Per the internet, applyingpeppermint oilto your hickey should move the healing process along.
The verdict: Stop what you’re doing; you might irritate the skin surrounding your hickey.Dr.
Peppermint oil-induced irritation will happenonyour skin, whereas your hickey is blood pooledunderyour skin.
That said, there’s no good reason to irritate the skin around your hickey.
Dr. Shah’s expert advice?
If you want to do something, apply a safer substance, like aloe vera, to the area.
But limit your use of this hack to once per daytoo much toothpaste can irritate your skin.
The verdict: It won’t make your hickey go away, and it won’t soothe inflammation.
This might not do anything for your hickey, but it’s definitely not bad for you.
How it works:Peel a banana, and rub the inside of the peel all over your hickey.
(I’m shocked, too.)
If you’re committed enough to try this trick, expect thebanana peelto have a calming, anti-inflammatory effect.
But remember, it’s not gonna erase your hickey.
Oh, and bananas aren’t the only fruit packed with soothing antioxidants.
A papaya or pineapple might have the same effect, Shah says.
But rubbing alcohol probably isn’t going soothe your skin at all.
This kind of targeted massagewill supposedly stimulateblood flow, enhancing circulation and speeding up the healing process.
Honestly, nothing will.
