How to Remove a Passion Mark

Massage can speed up removal of a passion mark.

Remove a passion mark by alternating a localized cold compress with massage sessions to speed the healing of the damaged blood vessels. Passion marks, also called hickeys, are simply bruises caused by suction pressure. Color and swelling can be reduced with immediate action, which can make the hickey easier to conceal until it is completely gone. Start treating passion marks right away to speed subdermal recovery and to remove visible signs as quickly as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Ice
• Small plastic zip-top freezer bag
• Thin kitchen towel
• Massager (optional)

Instructions

1. Fill a freezer bag half full of ice and force out as much air as possible before sealing the bag securely. Wrap the bag of ice in a single layer of thin kitchen towel to absorb condensation and insulate the ice pack.

2. Apply medium pressure to the area with discoloration and swelling, using the ice pack in 20-minutes-on and 20-minutes-off intervals. Holding a cold compress in place for longer than 20 minutes can cause damage to the skin and blood vessels. Three, 20-minute icing sessions, each spaced out by 20-minute rests, per day for the first two days is enough to effectively reduce the appearance of the passion mark.

3. Massage the passion mark after 48 hours have passed since the bruising occurred, to speed the healing process below the skin. Rub in a circular motion with medium to firm pressure using your fingers or a massager. Massage in 60-seconds-on, 60-seconds-off intervals until the area begins to feel itchy.

4. Continue with two or three cold compress and five or six short massage sessions per day until the hickey is completely removed. The amount of time it takes for a full recovery varies greatly from person to person due to health, age and diet factors.

Tips & Warnings

• Conceal the healing passion mark by wearing a scarf, turtleneck shirt or makeup during the removal process.

References

• The Stretching Institute: Bruises and Muscle Contusions
• Romance Class: How to Give a Hickey and Hiding a Hickey