Hickey

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What is a hickey?

A hickey is a temporary mark on the skin that is caused by forceful sucking or biting; it usually looks like a purple-red spot and is most often “painted” on the neck, collarbone or lips. Sometimes people make hickeys on purpose to make them visible, and sometimes - just give in to the moment and get an unexpected “decoration”.

Essentially, a hickey is nothing more than a subcutaneous hemorrhage that occurs due to the rupture of small capillaries. However, in a relationship, it often carries not only physical, but also symbolic meaning; for some it is a sign of passion and emotional intimacy, for others - a way to show that the person is “busy”. On the other hand, some people consider hickeys to be a teenage habit and frivolous prank.

How to make a hickey: a simple technique 

Sucker mark appears due to intense sucking of the skin, as a result of which small capillaries burst, and a characteristic reddish-purple spot is formed on the surface. In fact, it is a small subcutaneous bruise, similar to a bruise, but caused not by a blow, but by the vacuum created by the lips.

To make the kiss mark visible, you need to choose a suitable area - for example, the neck, shoulder or collarbone; then press your lips tightly against the skin and begin to gently but confidently draw in air, creating a sucking effect. Some people prefer to use only the lips, and others add light nibbling to enhance the effect. The main thing is to control the strength of the effect: the hickey should feel like a pleasant pressure, and not cause pain.

The depth and brightness of the hickey depends on several factors: the sensitivity of the skin, the strength of the pressure and the duration of the process. Essentially, the longer you keep your lips in one place, the darker and more noticeable the mark will be. However, if you do it too aggressively, you can cause painful sensations or even leave a mark for a long time, so it is important to know the measure.

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Who gives hickeys and why?

They can be done by both men and women, and, in general, by anyone who wants to leave such a “mark of attention” on a partner. Although once hickeys were more associated with male behavior, now it is a stereotype - many girls also perfectly master this technique and are happy to leave traces of passion.

What are hickeys?

A sucker mark is not the same as a kiss mark - they can vary in technique, intensity, and even visibility. Here are a few basic types that are most common:

1. Classic - the most common variant. You just suck your lips to the skin, creating a vacuum, and after a few seconds there is a characteristic dark red or purple trace.

2. light (or inconspicuous) - an option for those who do not want to attract unnecessary attention. Here, minimal pressure is used, so the trace remains barely noticeable or not noticeable at all, and the process itself causes less discomfort.

3. Intensive (or complex) - for those who like to leave a “visual reminder” longer. In this case, light nibbling is added to the sucking, which makes the mark more pronounced and darker. However, it is important to be careful, otherwise the partner may feel pain and the mark will remain for a very long time.

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How to tell your partner that you are turned on by hickeys

It's okay to talk about your desires in a relationship, the important thing is to do it without pressure and at the right time. If you like hickeys, but you're not sure how to tell your partner, it's best to choose a moment when you're both relaxed and on the same page.

You can start with some non intrusive flirting, such as: “You know, I've always loved that kiss mark thing..... I wonder how you feel about it?” or ”I think hickeys are pretty damn hot. What do you think?” If you have a cool experience or memory, tell it - that way it'll be easier for your partner to understand why you like it.

The key is not to push it; if the person is not thrilled, do not immediately get upset. Maybe they  just haven't tried it or aren't sure if he likes it. And if the answer is yes - great! You can experiment together and find a format that will be a pleasure for both of you.

How to get rid of a hickey fast

If you've ever had a hickey, you know that it doesn't disappear in a couple hours - sometimes even a few days. That's the point: it remains as a kind of reminder of a passionate moment. But if you need to camouflage the mark or speed up its healing, there are a few simple ways.

One of the most popular methods is cold; so apply something cool to the sucker mark, such as the back of a spoon, after holding it in the freezer. The cold helps to constrict capillaries and reduce redness. Another option is vitamin K creams, which speed up the healing of bruises. If you don't have any on hand, try applying some toothpaste with menthol - it improves blood circulation and helps the spot to dissolve faster.

Of course, you won't be able to completely remove a kiss mark in a couple of minutes, but if you combine these methods and repeat them several times a day, the mark will disappear much faster.

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