Pimple patches may work on surface-level acne like pus-filled pimples and blackheads, but aren't effective for cystic acne. They're made with zit-drying hydrocolloid, and many products have additional acne-fighting ingredients.
If you have severe cystic acne, we recommend you see a doctor or dermatologist for professional treatment. For a hydrocolloid patch to work, the pus and fluids cannot be buried too far under the skin. But for cysts that are coming to a head, Mighty Patch can help draw out pus and reduce inflammation.
"Hydrocolloid dressings are a great option for inflamed acne lesions," says Campbell. In other words, if your pimple is red or inflamed on the surface, that is the best type of acne to treat with a bandage. She also says you can use the bandages on raised acne lesions or whiteheads and cystic acne.
ZitSticka Killa Pimple Patch
If you're dealing with cystic acne, these pimple patches from A-beauty brand, Zitsticka, may be your best bet.
According to New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, deep pimples require patches that will "enhance penetration" of acne-fighting ingredients into the skin.
There's no real harm in using zit stickers — but they may not work, either, leaving you pimply and frustrated. “They're really just wound healing dressings for a very specific type of lesion,” Dr. Kassouf says. “They can be helpful, but for overall acne treatment, there is little use for them.
Picking “99 percent of the time will make it worse because it triggers more inflammation, which increases healing time and makes it more likely to leave a mark, discoloration, or scar,” she says. It also drives the pus deeper into the skin, making it more likely to stick around.
Wash your face to make sure you're placing the acne patch on clean skin. Apply the patch after washing your face but before using any other products such as moisturizer or sunscreen. Spot patches should be replaced often. They're typically okay to wear up to 24 hours daily for up to 21 days.
“For a pimple emergency, I recommend that you see your board-certified dermatologist for a cortisone injection,” Turner says. “This involves the injection of a drop of a potent anti-inflammatory to help shrink down the pimple overnight.” It's a drastic approach, but it the best and quickest way to guaranteed results.
Best overall cystic-acne treatment
Retinoids, which we've touched on before, are beneficial for exfoliating the skin and purging your pores of dirt and oil, which is why Dr. Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, says they're helpful for cysts, too.
Cystic acne is when you have large, red, painful breakouts deep in your skin. Pimples start when a pore in your skin gets clogged, usually with dead skin cells. Bacteria can also get trapped, causing the area to become red and swollen.
“Sure, you can use any pimple patch on a popped pimple to help it heal faster,” Dr. Lee explains. “Keeping your hands off the area and also keeping the area moist will help speed healing.”
“The white stuff is just hydrated hydrocolloid. Moisture turns it white, kind of like chronic moisture turns the skin on your fingers white. The more moisture it absorbs, the whiter it turns,” Dr.
Hydrocolloids work on the acne blemish by creating a protective seal over the skin, while absorbing excess fluid such as oil and pus, flattening spots faster and reducing inflammation/skin redness.
Cleanse your skin, carefully dry the area around your blemish, and add the pimple sticker. Apply the pimple sticker to your blemish and press for three seconds to activate. Leave on for 4-8 hours or until the patch turns white. When you remove the patch, your pimple should be visibly smaller and much less painful.
Warm compresses and acne stickers can help to bring a pimple to a head so that the sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria can exit to the skin's surface. Using ice can relieve inflammation. If blind pimples occur frequently or are particularly inflamed and painful, a person should seek advice from a dermatologist.
Why cystic acne develops
This can result from a combination of bacteria, oil, and dry skin cells that get trapped in your pores. Although anyone can develop acne, cystic acne tends to occur in people with oily skin. It's also more common in teens, women, and older adults with hormonal imbalances.
A: Yes, your skin needs to be completely dry when applying. If you've just applied moisturizer or washed your face, we suggest waiting 15-minutes to allow all of the moisture to absorb into your skin.
Final Verdict. The best pimple patches overall are Peace Out Acne Healing Dots (view at Amazon). In addition to hydrocolloid, we appreciate that they contain a blend of soothing and clearing ingredients like retinol, salicylic acid, and aloe.
Research on the chemical differences between these two acne-fighting agents has shown that salicylic acid opens the pores and has a bit of a sloughing, exfoliating effect. However, benzoyl peroxide is superior for treating acne because it has an anti-microbial effect and a better antioxidant effect.