How To Give A Hickey To Someone – 4 Simple Steps

It is not as painful as it looks but do remember to follow these precautions.

Reviewed by Sarah Kenville, MA (Marriage and Family Therapy) Sarah Kenville Sarah KenvilleMA (Marriage and Family Therapy) facebook_iconinsta_icon
Written by Jyotsana Rao, BE Jyotsana Rao BE linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
Edited by Anjali Sayee, BTech Anjali Sayee BTech linkedin_icon Experience: 7 years
Fact-checked by Krati Darak, MBA, Certified Skin Care Coach Krati Darak MBA, Certified Skin Care Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 3 years
Last Updated on

Are you bored of gifting your partner expensive gifts? Why don’t you try and give them a special memento of love? Now that Valentine’s Day is around the corner, lovers worldwide are busy planning surprises for their special someone.

You can also make the day memorable for your sweetheart without burning a hole in your pocket. Do you want to know how? Well, we are talking about hickeys! Have you ever had questions like how do you get a hickey, how do you give someone a hickey, or even what are hickeys? Well, we have your back in this article! From what hickeys are to how you can give one, we have covered it all. So, keep scrolling to learn more about them and give your partner a delightful time!

protip_icon Fun Fact
In the animal kingdom, male mammals are frequently found to be nibbling at female mammals’ necks while they are mating.

What Is A Hickey?

Woman with a purplish hickey
Image: Shutterstock

A hickey, love bite, or kiss mark is essentially a bruise that is red. Aggressively sucking or biting on another person’s flesh usually creates hickeys. What does a hickey look like? Those who have engaged in romantic makeout sessions are probably aware of it. Leaking blood vessels cause the initial distinct red color. The bruise gradually turns purple and then brown. However, it is not as scary as it sounds! It fades if left alone, though it can take between two days to two weeks to completely disappear, depending on how deep the bruise is. One may use a mix of cold and warm compress and essential oil massages to ease the tension and stimulate blood flow in the area. But, as long as it does last, it is a sweet reminder of your partner.

Why Do Lovers Give A Hickey?

Couple lovingly staring at each other
Image: Shutterstock

Hickeys are usually a sign of desire, passion, and romance and a way of marking territory or a loved one. It may simply be a passionate reminder of one’s love for another. Remember that hickeys are sexual marks and people will often assume that you had an extra passionate time last night. It is always a smart idea to give your beloved a hickey on parts that are not very visible. It will help you avoid unwanted scrutiny in your love life. Hickeys aren’t bad but can attract unnecessary attention at college, work, or family gatherings. If you cannot explain it and it embarrasses you, ask your partner to leave it at a more intimate and inconspicuous spot.

How To Give A Hickey

How to give a hickey
Image: Created with Dall.E

Now that you know what a hickey is and why people give each other one, you may want to know the all-important technique to give that memorable token of love. Follow these steps to know how to give a love bite:

  1. Begin with some kissing and smooching to heighten the physical arousal before you explore that perfect spot for a hickey. Start with light kisses before graduating to more intense ones. If your partner enjoys the intimacy, she may be enthusiastic about getting a hickey.
  2. Consent and comfort are of utmost importance. Before you start, make sure both you and your partner are okay with giving and receiving a hickey. Talk openly about your limits and preferences to make sure the experience is positive and respectful for both of you.
  1. Choose the location well. As mentioned earlier, hickeys are meant to be intimate, not tacky symbols of affection for public display. Usually, neck areas are popular spots for giving a hickey, which is fine if your partner has long hair. You can also consider other spots like the crook of the elbow or the inner thigh.
  2. To give your partner a hickey, make an O with your lips and press them firmly on your partner’s skin. Seal your love with your lips and leave no room for air.
  3. Freely express your wild side by sucking hard enough to break capillaries. However, remember the tantalizing sensation of your lips should make your partner moan with pleasure and not pain. To give that perfect hickey, you need to keep sucking for 20-30 seconds.

However, if it leaves a dark mark and you want to get rid of the hickey, then try putting a spoon in the freezer for a few minutes and placing its curved side on the skin to soothe inflammation. Keep reading to know more.

Key Takeaways

  • Hickeys or love bites are bruises that gradually turn brown. These are signs of passion or reminders of your love for or from your loved ones.
  • Choose the location well and express your wild side without causing undesirable pain or breaking the capillaries.
  • Do not bite or leave too much saliva during the process, making your partner uncomfortable or ruining their mood.

Hiding And Healing Hickeys

  • Wear clothing that covers the hickey like a turtleneck.
  • Use makeup, like a skin tone foundation or concealer, to conceal the hickey temporarily.
  • Apply a cold compress right after to reduce swelling and discoloration.
  • Use vitamin K cream to help speed up healing.
  • Avoid rubbing or scratching the area.
  • Stay hydrated to support skin recovery.

protip_icon Quick Tip
You can return to the same spot and repeat the process of giving a hickey if you and your partner want a darker bruise.

Caution:
Do not bite your partner
Image: Shutterstock

Now that you know what a hickey is and how to give the best hickey, take a look at some points to remember before you go wild.

Potential Risks

Hickeys can be enjoyable, but it is important to know the possible risks. Too much suction can cause bruising and even break tiny blood vessels under the skin. Make sure to talk openly with your partner and check in on their comfort level during the process to avoid these problems.

Remember, no teeth! You don’t want to begin as a passionate lover and end up looking like Dracula, do you?

If 30 seconds of sucking seem weird, try some kissing and then another 10 seconds of sucking at the same spot.

Unhappy woman in bed with her partner
Image: Shutterstock

Remember that saliva can be a dampener for your play of passion. Keep track of the amount of spit in your mouth. Leaving behind a sticky residue on your partner’s neck or inner thigh might ruin her mood and your hickey.

As you can see from the section above, giving a hickey is simple. But how do you give one with braces? Scroll down to the next section to know more.

How To Give A Hickey With Braces

Giving a hickey with braces is a bit tricky, but you can still make it more enjoyable for yourself and your partner by following the tips below:

  1. Keep your braces clean and smooth as sharp edges can make the experience uncomfortable for both of you.
  2. Now, make a round shape with your lips and gently suck on the skin.
  3. Keep your teeth out of the business as the braces may scratch the skin, unless your partner likes it a bit rough.
  4. Use your hands to caress your partner while giving a hickey to make it more passionate. Do it for 20-30 seconds to create your love mark.

Dylan, a YouTuber, discusses how to give someone a hickey on the neck easily, with the creator emphasizing, “You just suck on the skin and what happens, by doing this, is you create suction right…and this will actually cause bruising on the skin (i).”

Infographic: The Right Way To Give A Hickey

Nervous about giving your partner a hickey? Feels like everything you have read has not registered in your brain? Don’t worry; we can help! Check out the infographic below to learn how to give your partner a hickey and a few cautionary tips to keep in mind to make the experience even better.

a right way to give a hickey (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Hickeys are a great way to shower your love on your partner and remind them of your passion. However, these sexual marks should be left in intimate places to avoid unnecessary scrutiny from family and friends. Remember, the key is ensuring that the process does not look crude and involves using your teeth. Go through the steps listed above carefully before you decide to give a hickey to your partner. Once you feel confident with your technique, surprise them with your amazing pucker skills!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do hickeys last?

Depending on the intensity, hickeys may last 2 days to 2 weeks. However, it may vary from person to person.

Can hickeys be dangerous?

While hickeys are usually harmless, they can sometimes cause bruising or, in rare cases, lead to blood clots if too much pressure is applied. It is important to not apply too much suction and make sure your partner is comfortable throughout the process to avoid any issues.

Does giving a hickey involve biting?

A hickey is achieved by sucking or kissing one area of skin for a long time. While you can bite your partner to enhance their pleasure, it is not necessary when giving a hickey.

Is it childish to give hickeys?

Giving or receiving a hickey is a personal decision. While some consider it an act of intimacy, others might regard it as childish. It really depends on you and your partner.

Explore the art of gifting a hickey. Check out this step-by-step informative video to learn the techniques, dos and don’ts, and how to create an intimate and enjoyable experience for both!

Personal Experience: Source

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Sarah Kenville
Sarah KenvilleMA (Marriage and Family Therapy)
Sarah Kenville has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a law degree. She has 8 years of experience and offers premarital counseling and relationship coaching to dating, engaged, newlywed, and same-sex couples.

Read full bio of Sarah Kenville
Jyotsana Rao
Jyotsana RaoBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Jyotsana Rao is an engineering graduate from NIT, Nagpur, who discovered her love for writing during her undergraduate days. She is passionate about writing about everything related to beauty - makeup, fashion, hairstyles, skin care, or hair care and has 4 years of experience on writing in these genres.

Read full bio of Jyotsana Rao
Anjali Sayee
Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor
Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Krati Darak
Krati DarakAssociate Commerce Editor
Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.

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