“Pimple patches don't work at all on closed lesions or deeper lesions or even blackheads and whiteheads, which are called comedones,” Dr. Kassouf explains. “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.”
Patches can help you with the following: Whiteheads: Patches are effective at absorbing the pus and oil from whiteheads that have already come to a head. Early-stage papules: These are small, red, inflamed bumps that haven't formed a whitehead yet. Patches can help draw out impurities and speed up healing.
Mighty Patch is a smarter way to handle pimples overnight. of participants agreed that using the patch is a faster way to visibly shrink whiteheads overnight compared to traditional zit cream. said the patch protects the skin from picking/popping it.
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.
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.
Hydrocolloid is made of gel forming agents like pectin or gelatin (most commonly used) that create a moist environment with the body to promote healing. It draws out the fluids and pus and then forms a soft gel. If you've used Mighty Patch before, you'll notice this as the white stuff that gets sucked out!
Hydrocolloid gel, which forms the core of these patches, creates a protective barrier over the pimple.
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.
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.
Microdermabrasion: A dermatologist uses a specialized instrument to “sand” your skin. Removing the top layers of your skin frees the clogs that cause whiteheads. Chemical peels: Chemical peels use a mild chemical solution to remove layers of skin and reduce whiteheads.
Since icing pimples only works as an anti-inflammatory, it doesn't work for non-inflammatory acne. Non-inflammatory acne includes things like blackheads and whiteheads where there is limited swelling and redness. Think of icing as a temporary solution to those tender, painful spots rather than a treatment.
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.
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.
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.
Benzoyl peroxide works as an antiseptic to reduce the number of bacteria on the surface of the skin. It also helps to reduce the number of whiteheads and blackheads, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Benzoyl peroxide is usually available as a cream or gel. It's used either once or twice a day.
What Does a Hydrocolloid Patch Actually Do? 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.
If you leave the pimple patch on too long, you run the risk of the adhesive material not sticking properly, and the patch may start to irritate the skin instead of helping it. Remember, it's extracting and absorbing the gunk. When it's ready to toss, toss it!
A closed comedo that stays under the skin is a whitehead, and an open comedo that reaches the surface of the skin is a blackhead. A closed comedo that develops deep within the skin is called a blind pimple.
Contrary to popular belief, it's not dirt that's trapped in your pores but old skin cells and oil. Whiteheads occur when these contents aren't exposed to the air. The 'white stuff' that comes out of a blackhead or more commonly in pimples is pus.
If your pimple doesn't have any fluid in it, a hydrocolloid patch won't do much. “Pimple patches that contain ingredients that help treat the breakout, like salicylic acid, might deliver some extra help to clear dirt and bacteria out of pores and speed clearing,” said Dr.
If it is absolutely necessary to remove a whitehead, it is important to be as clean as possible and avoid damaging the skin. Some general tips for whitehead removal include: Apply a warm compress or steam to the area beforehand to help open the pores. Clean the hands thoroughly before attempting to pop the whitehead.
Avoid picking or squeezing the popped breakout to let your skin heal naturally. If you notice any signs of potential infection like redness, increased pain, pus, or inflammation surrounding the blemish, contact a healthcare professional immediately.