Love bite? Follow these steps to get rid of it

When my friends and I were about 13, we used to give them to each other (it used to be cool) – now, you’ll get a slap in the face if you try to give one. Of course, I’m talking about love bites – sometimes also called ‘hickeys’. The kind of kiss that, in addition to a somewhat possessive vibe, also leaves an ugly mark. Do you want to know how you can get rid of a love bite? Then read on.

Remember! Love bites are bruises and there’s no magic cream or serum that will heal them overnight. What you can do, however, is stay calm and follow these 8 steps. I promise that you’ll notice a difference really quickly.

Step 1 – Use a cold spoon

Okay, listen up. Take a clean spoon and put it in the freezer for 8-10 minutes. Rub the cold spoon over the affected area. The cold will help to minimise the blood seeping from the blood vessels in the skin. Repeat this several times a day to reduce the swelling. You can also use a cold compress!

Step 2 – Get some fresh pineapple

Pineapple is not only known as being able to stimulate contractions, it’s also a fantastic remedy for unwanted love bites. That’s because pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which really helps with bruising. Your next step is to take a sprint to the supermarket and get yourself a fresh pineapple. You don’t have to press it against your love bite, you can just eat the pineapple (on your pizza, we don’t judge) or make a nice juice out of it.

“Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that really helps with bruises.”

Step 3 – Vitamin K

Vitamin K, found in foods like broccoli, kale, spinach, and brown rice, helps your body absorb clots of accumulated blood, just like your love bite. So have a salad or throw some kale in your smoothie to speed up its healing.

Step 4 – Hydrate with aloe vera

Fun fact: aloe vera is much more than just a slimy plant that feels nice when you’ve been out in the sun for too long. Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, a thin layer of aloe vera cream or gel can keep your love bite from swelling. Bear in mind that applying aloe vera to your love bite twice a day will not make it magically disappear – it’s a bruise, after all – but it will certainly help speed up the healing time.

Step 5 – Massage with a banana peel

Yes, I can hear you thinking, “What the freak is this?”, but banana peels are actually the unsung hero of the fight against love bites, as they’re full of skin-softening antioxidants and vitamins. Remove the peel of a ripe banana and rub away!

“Banana peels are the unsung hero of the fight against love bites.”

Step 6 – Use a warm cloth

Alright, it’s been a few days since you’ve gotten that love bite, and despite following all the steps, the ugly mark is still there! It’s officially time to call in the help of a warm washcloth/hot water bottle. Warm up a washcloth and press it against the affected area for about 5 minutes.

Step 7 – Apply vitamin C cream

Chances are that vitamin C is already part of your skincare routine. The insanely effective ingredient helps boost your skin’s collagen production (also known as what makes your skin look soft and healthy), which is pretty important when you’re trying to heal a love bite. Again, don’t expect miracles, but applying a vitamin C cream to the affected area during the healing process is a smart move.

Step 8 – Use your toothbrush

This wouldn’t be a good love bite survival guide if it didn’t mention the toothbrushing method. Use a toothbrush with super-soft bristles (important!!) and gently sweep the brush across the love bite to stimulate blood circulation. It’s important that you move the brush in different directions to allow the coagulated blood to disperse. It won’t feel all too pleasant, but if you do this every day for about 5-10 minutes, the mark will soon fade.

“Move the brush in different directions to allow the coagulated blood to disperse.”