Curious to learn more about hickeys? 11 Oysters has compiled a list of questions and answers you might find helpful to give you a complete understanding!

Do hickeys hurt?

Well, it doesn’t feel like nothing. The sensation leans more toward feeling pressure over pain, but because everyone’s pain tolerance is different, some people may find getting a hickey uncomfortable. One thing to consider if you’re experimenting with this for the first time: Come up with a safe word or an easy way for you to communicate with your partner (and vice versa) should anyone stop enjoying the makeout session.

How to Leave a Hickey on Someone?

Leaving a hickey on someone is actually quite simple. Start by asking your partner if they’re okay with having a little "mark of affection" (especially if it’s in a visible spot).

Then, warm up the area with soft kisses on their neck or wherever you plan to leave the hickey.

Next, press your lips against their skin and form an “O” shape with your mouth. Suck gently but firmly to create a vacuum effect. Teeth aren’t necessary to leave a hickey—suction alone will do the job—but if your partner is into it, you can incorporate some light biting or nibbling.

After about 20 to 30 seconds of consistent suction, you’ll likely notice a visible hickey forming within the next few minutes.

How long do hickeys take to show up?

Hickey marks are going to start showing up pretty quickly. Within five to ten minutes, light bruising can appear on the skin. It can also depend on how long you spend sucking the person’s skin. Twenty to thirty seconds will do the trick, but the longer and harder someone sucks, the darker and more intense the bruising.

How Long Do Hickeys Last?

They can last as long as two weeks.

There’s surprisingly little research done on hickeys, but the general consensus is that they rarely last longer than two weeks, with many hickeys clearing up within just a few days. How long the mark stays on a person is up to the types of hickeys at play (read: the harshness level of the suction involved) and the health of the person affected. The more intense the hickey, the longer it’ll stick around, while the healthier the person is (think: well-hydrated, good circulation, enough iron), the shorter the hickey’s time on earth.

They can show up at any age

The neck, the shoulders, and the chest are seriously sensitive to touch, meaning that being kissed there feels pretty incredible. When you’re newer to kissing and still fine-tuning how to give the Perfect Neck Kiss™, you’re more likely to be a little aggressive with your mouth, which is why hickeys tend to show up more on younger or newer kissers. With substantial practice and the right partners, your kissing will probably ease into a less hickey-centric mode. That said, especially if you’re someone who really appreciates a good necking, the occasional love bite can show up at any age.

Are some people more susceptible to hickeys?

Actually, yes. If a body has lower levels of iron (formally referred to as an iron deficiency), it will bruise easier. This means it won't take as much suction to leave a mark. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on who you ask), it also means that it will show up darker and stick around longer. This can be the same case for people with thin or sensitive skin. In these cases, the blood vessels usually live closer to the top of the skin and react quicker to irritation.

Can you get a hickey on any part of the body?

Technically, sure. But as mentioned above, hickeys show up where skin is thinner. To give someone a hickey on, say, a forearm or quad would be tougher than the neck or inner part of the elbow.

Are Hickeys Harmful to Your Health?

Hickeys are deep red or purple bruises on the skin caused by someone lightly biting or sucking. The suction can rupture capillaries under the skin, leading to bleeding and swelling. Normal hickeys are generally not dangerous and usually fade within two weeks.

However, consult a doctor if you notice the following:

• Hickey persists beyond two weeks.
• The bruise is painful.
• Unexplained bruising appears elsewhere on your body, far from the hickey.
• There’s a lump under the bruised area.
• Sudden facial paralysis or weakness in facial muscles.

These could be signs of serious conditions such as blood disorders or clotting issues. In rare cases, hickeys can cause strokes due to excessive pressure on the carotid arteries on either side of the neck. The carotid arteries supply blood to the brain, neck, and face. Trauma to these arteries may cause clot formation or dislodge an existing clot, leading to a stroke. To stay safe, avoid leaving hickeys near the sides of the jawline where the carotid arteries are located.

How to Prevent and Avoid Hickeys?

If you feel uncomfortable with hickeys or want to avoid awkward moments caused by them, having an open and honest conversation with your partner is often the most effective way to prevent them.

• If your partner spends too much time on one area, suggest moving to a different spot.
• Ask your partner to be gentler.

Clear communication ensures both partners feel comfortable and respected during intimate moments.