A kiss mark, also known as a hickey or love bite, is a bruise.
Understanding Kiss Marks
A kiss mark results from forceful suction during kissing. This suction damages the small blood vessels (capillaries) under the skin. The resulting broken capillaries cause blood to leak into the surrounding tissue, creating the characteristic purple or reddish discoloration. The intensity of the color and size of the mark depends on the amount of suction applied and the individual's skin sensitivity.
- Mechanism: Suction breaks capillaries.
- Appearance: Purple or reddish discoloration, resembling a bruise.
- Cause: Forceful kissing and suction.
The Science Behind the Bruise
The reference material clearly states that a kiss mark is essentially a bruise. The suction created during passionate kissing breaks tiny blood vessels beneath the skin's surface. This rupture leads to localized bleeding, resulting in the visible discoloration. The severity of the bruise depends on the intensity of the suction.
