What’s that sticky stuff people are sticking on their bodies? These stickers look like stickers, and they are. Acne stickers, also called acne patches or acne patches, are what they are.
These are old-school dressings for wounds. The material used to make acne patches is hydrocolloid. “Hydrocolloid is made of pectin or gelatin,” says Debra Jailman, MD, a New York City dermatologist and author of The Skin Rules. She adds that they may contain only hydrocolloids or a pimple-fighting agent like salicylic acids.
How can pimple patches help to get rid of acne?
Consider these stickers the ultimate spot treatment. They can reduce the appearance of acne while speeding up healing. Here’s how.
The “Suckers” of the Gunk from Your Pores
You’d love them if you used to use pore strips. These patches work because they have a vacuum effect, removing dirt and oil and could cause a breakout. Dr. Jaliman says. The patches convert the impurities to a gel-like material that adheres to the patch and is sealed off from the face. Another benefit: they may prevent bacteria from entering and aggravating redness and swelling. According to bandage brand Nexcare, this “sucking effect” is at the heart of hydrocolloid tech.
They can help prevent touching and picking.
A dermatologist will advise keeping your hands off if you have a pimple. What is that one thing you are guaranteed to do? Pick it or pop. There’s a good reason why Dr. Pimple Popper’s YouTube videos are so popular. The best thing about acne patches is that they cover the affected area, so you don’t have to pick. This is according to Lauren Fine, MD. She is a board-certified dermatologist from Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology. She says picking “99 percent of the time” will only worsen the problem. It causes more inflammation which can increase healing time, and is more likely to cause a scar, mark, or discoloration. This also pushes the pus deeper under the skin, making it more likely to stay there.
Actives Can help treat your blemish.
Jaliman says that pimple patches containing ingredients like salicylic acids, which help treat acne breakouts, can help clear dirt and bacteria from pores and speed up clearing. American Academy of Dermatology states that benzoyl and salicylic acids are the two best ingredients for treating acne. You’re giving acne a two-pronged attack. Some products contain skin-soothing components such as Aloe Vera or Vitamin A. These ingredients can reduce inflammation further, according to research.
What Types of Acne Can Pimple Patches Treat?
According to Hero Cosmetics, which makes hydrocolloid patches, these are only meant to be used as spot treatments and should only be applied to whiteheads caused by blocked pores and perhaps cysts that have formed. Some brands are effective on painful red pimples that have not yet developed pus. Hero Cosmetics says that pimple patches will not work on blackheads.
You should see your dermatologist if your acne looks like small red bumps on your face that are spreading or if you have cystic pimples. Your dermatologist can prescribe a topical treatment that treats your entire face and stops the acne cycle rather than constantly healing acne as it appears.
How to use a pimple patch to shrink blemishes
Follow the instructions on the product you are using. Jaliman recommends using them as an overnight treatment. She says that skin cells regenerate at night while we are sleeping. Skin is constantly repairing itself and rejuvenating. Treating your skin at bedtime can help you take advantage of this natural process and improve your results.
You can also wear them more often if you use them at night. First, clean your face and moisturize it as usual. Apply the sticker to your pimple, and wear it overnight. The stickers are waterproof so that you can wear them during your shower. Wash your face in the same way you usually would.
These are also clear, and many people swear no one will be able to tell you’re wearing them. Hero Cosmetics says you can wear them all day (bonus: there’s no need to touch the blemishes) and apply makeup over the top.
Try these five pimple patch options.
You can try a variety of options because of the popularity of patches:
Best Budget Patch
The unmedicated hydrocolloid patches are clear, so you won’t be able to tell that they are on.
Best Multisize Patch
This pack contains 24 patches that are unmedicated in three different sizes, from 7 millimeters to 12 millimeters. You can choose the size most suitable for your pimple.
Best Medicated Pillow Patch
These hydrocolloid patches, dubbed “healing dot,” contain vitamin A (the active ingredient of retinoids which exfoliates the skin and removes dirt), salicylic (a beta-hydroxy acid that dissolves pore-clogging debris), as well as aloe vera to soothe and calm the skin.
Best Subscription Pimple patch
The hydrocolloid patches come in 36- or 72-count boxes. You can subscribe and save to receive regular deliveries every 30-60 days and a discount of 20 percent. The best part is that you’ll never run out of patches again.
Best pimple patch kit for emerging pimples
This two-step kit includes a medicated swab with tea tree oil and salicylic acids to remove blemishes. Then, use a Killa patch that is equipped with micro darts. This technology pushes anti-inflammatory salicylic and antibacterial niacinamide deep into the zit to speed up healing. This hydrocolloid patch is not like the others. It’s designed for pimples with a whitehead. The company claims it is best used on painful, red, and not yet visible spots.
The Final Word about Using Pimple Patches for Clearing Your Skin
Acne stickers effectively deliver medication to treat breakouts, reduce picking and speed up healing. These stickers are most effective for pimples that occur in isolation and should be worn overnight. How long before you see clear skin? Keep at it.