We’ve all been there, had a great time the night before with the cute boy you met at a party, but then you wake up looking like you got in a bar fight. Have no fear; we have some tips to alleviate our most common hook up injuries.
Okay, having a hickey is not the end of the world, but it is surely embarrassing if you have to go to class, work, or to see family—a giant red bite is not cute! Here are some tips to heal them up:
1. Get to it as quickly as you can! Letting the blood pool for a long period of time, say overnight, will only make the mark worse. If you notice it right when you come home, grab some ice and try to minimize swelling.
2. Disperse it. Using your fingers or comb to massage out the blood will cut down the area that the mark can occupy.
3. Using a domed cap, i.e. from chap stick, push the blood back down into the mark. This will help SO MUCH. It will hurt when you push on it, but it is worth it in the end.
4. Apply a moist, warm, used tea bag to it. The heat will help!
5. Rub vitamin K cream on it. The vitamins will help the skin to appear less red.
To go along with having a hickey, using your lips excessively can cause swelling. While you didn’t realize how hard you were pressing last night, your lips will remember in the morning! Minimize these signs by:
1. Avoid drinking anything hot. The heat from the drink will cause more blood to rush to your lips, and can make swelling worse!
2. Press a cold compress onto your lips for about a half an hour at a time. The best way that I have found is to soak a washcloth in cold water and lay it on my lips.
3. Put ice on it directly. Take an ice cube and rub it over your lips, ten minutes on and ten minutes off. Although this is annoying, you can do it until the swelling goes down completely.
Beard burn: A less common and one of the more painful post-hook up injuries from your guy’s scruff. Trust me, I speak from experience when I say this is one wound you do not want to let go untreated. Immediately start moisturizing the scab as often as possible with facial cream. To help with the stinging I recommend applying aloe vera that has been cooled in the fridge for some much needed relief. Unfortunately this battle wound cannot be covered up with foundation. In fact, I would stay away from putting any makeup on this injury since it will seep into the creases of the scab and draw even more attention to this less than charming wound. The damaged skin will eventually peel off, and the redness will fade after a day or two. In order to prevent this unsightly wound add facial moisturizing into your daily routine. If your boyfriend is the guy giving you this trouble, have him start moisturizing as well since it will make his hair less rough against your skin.
Bruises: For the girl that wakes up the morning after covered in black and blues, we have got the cure for you! For post-relief, unfortunately there is not too much you can do. Epsom salt baths, however, are a great way to fade your bruises. Icing them can also reduce the pain. Cover up and foundation also can do the trick if you are trying to hide some of these unsightly marks. If you are prone to bruises, start taking a vitamin K and C supplement and increasing your bodies zinc levels.
Image Sources: http://www.vampires.com/twilight-inspires-biting-trend-with-teens/
http://www.moviespad.com/pictures/43793/angelina-jolie-lips/
http://www.someecards.com/anniversary-cards/happy-anniversary-to-you-and