Best Overall: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original
“This uses hydrocolloid technology to absorb excess fluid and oil from the pimple, promoting faster healing and reducing inflammation,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
I think conspicuousness is the point of a Starface, so I'd recommend their funky patches, but if you want something stronger, I'd suggest Hero Cosmetics.
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.
“They work best on surface-level breakouts but aren't effective for deeper acne like blackheads, cystic acne or nodules, which require more comprehensive treatments. For more severe acne, it's best to see a dermatologist,” suggests Dr. Wong.
If your breakout hasn't been popped, a pimple patch can act as a helpful barrier to stop you from picking. Keep in mind that hydrocolloid patches are designed to work on open lesions, however, they can still prove effective at drawing out gunk from pimples that aren't open.
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.
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.
Starface now makes many different iterations of the Hydro-Stars, but the original yellow patches remain the most popular. To truly put them to the test, WWD Shop editors wore them over the course of a few months.
Q: Do Pimple Patches Really Work? A: Yes! Hydrocolloid pimple patches can help to flatten active breakouts to promote faster healing, creating a protective barrier over the affected area. Pimple patches can also help to minimize the appearance of blemishes.
The brand maintains a youthful, lighthearted tone on its social media channels, riffing on memes and popular culture, which Brothers believes gives Starface an edge over the aspirational or scientific tone of other acne brands.
You may also try applying a small amount of tea tree oil to the blind pimple twice a day. Tea tree oil reduces inflammation. Use topical creams and gels: Antibiotic creams, retinoids, salicylic acid and other lotions, cleansers and serums can reduce bacteria or dry out pimples.
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.
Usually the first choice for treating acne is a tetracycline (minocycline, doxycycline) or a macrolide (erythromycin, azithromycin). A macrolide might be an option for people who can't take tetracyclines, including pregnant women and children under 8 years old.
Besides being unlikely to work, toothpaste will probably burn and irritate your skin—especially your face. Some people develop a chemical burn or a rash called contact dermatitis after applying toothpaste on a pimple. This can make your skin feel sore and your pimple look worse.
Dermatologists often recommend pimple patches as part of a broader acne treatment regimen. Yes, they can be helpful for treating occasional breakouts, covering up acne, and limiting the ability to pick at the skin, but they are not a cure-all and aren't effective for all types of acne.
Popping a pimple delays the natural healing process. It can cause infection and scarring, and it may make the pimple more inflamed and noticeable. Fortunately, technology has a solution, and that solution is pimple patches.
Acne is a common issue for many people, especially for teenagers and young adults in their 20s. Some have mild symptoms, while others can have very severe issues. Acne effects around 90% of adolescents with the prime age across all genders being the teenage years of 14-19 years old.