“They are spot treatments for active bumps and have no ability to prevent acne from coming,” nor can they clear clogged pores or other precursors to acne flares.” In other words, if you're struggling with cystic acne, large-scale breakouts or other skin concerns, pimple patches aren't going to do the trick.
Pimple patches work best on breakouts that are closer to the skin's surface so they may not help with blackheads however, they will help you to not pick at the spot and keep bacteria away, so if you feel yourself being tempted to attack your skin, stick it, don't pick it!
While pimple patches are effective on open whiteheads and existing breakouts, they are not very useful on closed lesions or deeper pimples such as blackheads. They work best as spot treatments on active pimples but cannot help prevent breakouts. They are also unable to prevent scarring, sadly.
Pimple patches are made with hydrocolloid, a gummy polymer typically used in wound care to absorb fluid and promote healing. “Hydrocolloid helps draw out oil and pus from pimples, reducing inflammation,” Dr. Wong says.
The white stuff on pimple patches isn't pus, oils, or dirt. It's actually the hydrated hydrocolloid dressing.
While acne patches can be highly effective, there are times when they might not be the best option. For instance, they should never be used on open wounds, including open or freshly popped pimples, as this can actually trap bacteria under the patch and slow the healing process.
Pimple patches made with hydrocolloid work similarly on acne by absorbing excess fluid and keeping bacteria away from your zit. However, hydrocolloid patches only help treat pimples already oozing fluid, making them ideal for zits that have already “popped” or been picked.
Prolonged use of acne patches might lead to hyperpigmentation or other skin discolorations if the patches are applied incorrectly or left on for too long.
Cleansers that combine both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are very effective at treating blackheads, says Burke. Lactic acid: Lactic acid is an exfoliant that helps break up dead skin cells and unclog pores, says Spey.
Here are some of the ingredients in pimple patches and how each may affect your skin: w Salicylic acid: A beta hydroxy acid and popular acne-fighting ingredient in skin care and shampoo, salicylic acid can help unclog pores and remove excess sebum, or oil.
Targets Zits and Oily Pores: Gently traps pore gunk with absorbent hydrocolloid gel, so your nose looks clearer overnight. Clinically tested to reduce the appearance of pimples, pores, and oil in just 6-8 hours. Results You Can See: Mighty Patch turns white as the gunk comes out, so you can actually see it's working.
Deep blackheads should be removed by a medical professional — usually a dermatologist or medical aesthetician. They use a small tool with rigid metal loops on the ends (blackhead or comedo extractor) to apply even pressure to your blackheads.
Salicylic acid is a popular chemical exfoliant that can help unclog pores. It is also useful for treating acne, hyperpigmentation, and other common skin conditions. A person should use sunscreen alongside chemical exfoliants, as these products make the skin more sensitive to UV light.
If you have really sensitive skin, you may want to steer clear of pimple patches. They might dry out or irritate the affected area. If you have dirt from clogged pores, blackheads, or whiteheads, hydrocolloid patches can't treat these. They're also not effective for cystic acne.
Acne holes are scars or pick marks from pimples. They usually look like indentations or holes in the skin. Acne holes occur due to damage in the deeper layers of the skin after popping pimples.
Can I pop a blind pimple? Never try to pop or squeeze a blind pimple. Doing so pushes the oil and bacteria deeper, causing more inflammation and increasing the risk of infection.
It's tempting, but popping or squeezing a pimple won't necessarily get rid of the problem. Squeezing can push bacteria and pus deeper into the skin, which might cause more swelling and redness. Squeezing also can lead to scabs and might leave you with permanent pits or scars.
Your body can gradually break down pus and reabsorb its components. That's why small accumulations of pus (like in a pimple) often don't need treatment.
The patch acts as an adhesive bandage, creating a protective seal over the skin while also absorbing excess fluids like oil and dirt from your pimple. As it continues to soak up moisture and draw out all the impurities from your blemish, the hydrocolloid pimple patch will turn white.
Home remedies, such as cleansing the skin, applying ice, and using benzoyl peroxide, can help shrink a cystic pimple. However, in some cases, cystic acne may require dermatological help. Cystic acne is a severe form of acne that causes large bumps to form under the skin.
Dermatologist Leona Yip says patches can be a "good idea". "It's just selecting the right type of spot that would benefit." Dr Yip says pimple patches are best for "that pesky spot that won't go away" or "smaller acne spots", and they're not going to work on cystic or extensive acne.
Wash your face as normal, drying your skin well (which will help the sticker adhere). Apply the sticker to your pimple and wear it overnight or for as many hours as recommended on the package. If needed, you can keep it on for your shower, as they're waterproof. Remove the patch.