A love bite, also known as a hickey, is a dark red or purple mark on the skin, including the lips, caused by intense suction. It's essentially a bruise resulting from broken blood vessels near the skin's surface.
Understanding Love Bites
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Mechanism: A love bite occurs when someone sucks or kisses an area of skin with enough force to break tiny blood vessels under the skin. This causes blood to leak into the surrounding tissue, resulting in the characteristic discoloration. The lips, being a delicate area with many blood vessels near the surface, are particularly susceptible.
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Appearance: A love bite on the lips appears as a round or oval-shaped bruise, typically dark red or purple in color. The size and intensity of the discoloration vary depending on the force of the suction and the individual's skin sensitivity.
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Duration: Love bites typically fade within a few days to two weeks, as the body reabsorbs the leaked blood. The healing time can vary based on the severity of the bruise.
Love Bites vs. Other Lip Injuries
It's important to distinguish a love bite from other lip injuries. While a love bite is caused by suction, other injuries might result from trauma, bites, or allergic reactions. A doctor can help determine the cause of a lip injury if uncertain.
