Hickeys, once dismissed as a teenage rite of passage, are experiencing a resurgence among adults, with search interest in 'biting' on ethical porn site Lustery up by around 30% this year compared to last, according to data cited by Metro. Sexuality experts and daters argue that the love bite, often seen as 'cringe' or 'unserious,' is being reframed as a sign of passion, playfulness, and primal connection.
The Stigma Around Hickeys
Despite their growing popularity, many adults still shy away from hickeys due to lingering associations with adolescence. Sexuality expert Courtney Boyer told Metro that people often 'associate them with teenage relationships or early sexual experiences,' and that adults sometimes feel the need to be 'serious, passionate, and intense,' which can eliminate 'moments of playfulness and silliness.' Boyer emphasized that 'sex is meant to be fun and doesn't have to be serious all the time.'
Denise, a 27-year-old Metro reader, loves receiving hickeys but understands the fear of being perceived as 'unserious' or 'silly' past a certain age. She told Metro, 'I often find myself concealing my hickeys as a precaution around my friends and colleagues,' which is why she prefers love bites on her chest and inner thighs. Sexpert Courtney added that some avoid hickeys because they might signal being 'inexperienced.'
Reframing the Hickey as Primal Connection
Chloe Bailey, 25, from Greenwich, is challenging that stigma. After coming out of a 10-year-long relationship, she sees hickeys differently now. She shared with Metro, 'I feel like hickeys used to be cool at high school to show how “active” you were. But now, I see them as a perfect example of human connection, passionate and almost primal. Of course, both parties need to be consenting, but I think we should all give it a go!'
For Denise, the appeal is about her partner 'staking their claim.' She said, 'I love the idea of my partner “marking” me,' and added, 'I love having a hickey as a reminder of our time together — every time I spot it in the mirror it gives me goosebumps.' The sensation itself also matters: 'I also love the feeling during the moment itself — it adds to the passion and chemistry between us.'
Why Love Bites Are a Turn-On
Filipa Castro, 28, from North London, has always found hickeys 'hot,' especially given her 'crazily sensitive neck.' She told Metro, 'I like it when it happens accidentally. When your partner gets so carried away in the moment that it leaves a mark.' She also enjoys the afterglow: 'Seeing a hickey in the mirror the day after makes me feel wanted and desired — I love how each glimpse gives me a sexy flashback.'
The trend extends beyond hickeys to broader intimacy. TikTok creator Tilly Ferrari has called for 'more snogging' that doesn't lead anywhere, labeling it an 'in' for 2026. BACP psychotherapist Susie Masterson previously called kissing 'an underrated art,' urging everyone to experiment with it more, as reported by Metro. Dating influencer Allora Dannon suggests a 'romantic hug' with 'nuzzling into someone's neck' or 'spicy grinding' as a segue into something more.
As the data and personal stories suggest, the hickey is no longer just a teenage badge of honor but a nuanced expression of adult intimacy, blending playfulness, passion, and consent.
