A hickey, also known as a love bite or kiss mark, is a temporary mark or bruise on the skin, typically the neck, caused by suction or intense kissing.
It results from broken blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface due to the pressure applied during the kissing or sucking action.
While hickeys are usually harmless and fade away on their own within a week or two, they can sometimes cause mild pain or discomfort.
Hickeys are often considered a sign of affection between partners but can also be embarrassing for some individuals.