How Do Pimple Patches Work? Your Guide to This Trending Acne Remedy
Imagine: You drift off to sleep with effortlessly clear skin, only to have a pimple emerge by morning, selfishly demanding your attention. Now, it’s time to reach for a targeted acne treatment you can count on.
Enter hydrocolloid pimple patches! These tiny marvels have become a beloved breakout remedy over the last few years, and they deserve every bit of the praise.
Keep reading to learn how pimple patches work, the benefits of using them, and if they deserve a spot in your skincare routine.
What Are Pimple Patches or Hydrocolloid Patches?
Pimple patches, also known as hydrocolloid patches, are small, adhesive bandages designed to target individual blemishes with precision. These patches are made from hydrocolloid material, a substance originally developed for wound care due to its remarkable ability to absorb moisture and protect the skin. In the context of acne treatment, hydrocolloid patches serve a dual purpose: they draw out impurities from within the pimple while simultaneously creating a barrier that protects the area from external irritants like bacteria, dirt, and pollutants.
What sets pimple patches apart from other acne treatments is their ease of use and effectiveness. Unlike creams or gels that can be messy or irritating to the surrounding skin, pimple patches are designed to work directly on the blemish, without affecting the rest of your face. They are often clear or skin-toned, making them discreet enough to wear during the day or overnight. Whether you're dealing with a pesky whitehead or trying to calm an inflamed pimple, these patches offer a gentle yet powerful solution for clearer skin.
How Do Pimple Patches Work?
The magic of pimple patches lies in their hydrocolloid composition. When you place a patch over a pimple, it immediately begins to absorb excess fluids, such as oil and pus, from the blemish. This absorption process helps to reduce swelling and inflammation, which in turn speeds up the healing process. By drawing out these impurities, the patch helps to flatten the pimple and prevent it from getting worse.
But that’s not all pimple patches do. They also create a protective seal over the pimple, which prevents bacteria and other irritants from entering the area. This barrier helps to keep the pimple clean and reduces the risk of infection or further irritation. Additionally, the presence of the patch discourages you from picking or touching the pimple, which is a common cause of scarring and prolonged healing. Over time, with regular use, pimple patches can significantly improve the appearance of acne-prone skin, leaving it clearer and more balanced.
Do Pimple Patches Work for Breakouts?
So, how exactly do pimple patches help get acne under control?
These patches are made of hydrocolloid, a special type of material with moisture-retentive properties. Hydrocolloid bandages have been used for wounds for decades – since the late 60’s, to be exact – to easily manage drainage and speed up healing.
But, how does that translate to acne care? When you apply a hydrocolloid patch to a pimple, it creates an ideal environment for healing by:
- Absorbing excess oil and impurities
- Calming inflammation
- Protecting the pimple from external irritants and bacteria
- Discouraging picking and popping
This results in rapid healing, a clearer complexion, and healthier skin overall. It’s a simple way to keep skin calm and radiant – especially for acne-prone skin types.
Pimple patches calm acne breakouts with the healing properties of hydrocolloids. Unlike messy topical creams that can stain your clothes, these patches are a practical choice to wear throughout the day or put on just before bed. And, with the floral design of our Bloomies, tackling breakouts has never looked so good.
To Patch or Not to Patch: Are Pimple Patches Safe for My Skin Type?
Now that we know exactly how pimple patches work, let’s get to the good news: 100% hydrocolloid acne patches are safe for even the most sensitive skin types. They keep skin hydrated and balanced, making them ideal if you experience dryness, flaking, and irritation with other acne topicals.
How To Use a Pimple Patch
New to pimple patches? Using a pimple patch is a simple process, but to get the best results, it’s important to follow a few key steps. Let’s walk you through the steps of adding them to your existing skincare regimen.
Step 1: Cleanse and dry the affected skin. Make sure to pat dry with a clean, soft towel (ideally microfiber) to prevent transferring bacteria to the skin.
Step 2: Peel your patch away from the protective film and place it directly onto the pimple. Repeat for additional blemishes, as needed.
Step 3: Keep the patch in place for at least six hours. For the best results and the most restorative beauty rest, keep it on overnight.
Step 4: Once the patch has run its course, toss it in the trash. Pimple patches aren’t designed to be reused.
Zit patches don’t have to be your only defense against breakouts. For a more aggressive approach, consider cleansing with a medicated face wash before applying your patch. Just make sure not to slather on any other products, like topical spot treatments, before using a patch.
Topicals like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids can cause burning, stinging, redness, and irritation when layered with hydrocolloid patches. Plus, the patch will just absorb the topical, hindering its effectiveness. Instead, use your favorite topicals after your patch has worked its magic.
What to Do After Removing a Pimple Patch
After your pimple patch has spent at least six hours caring for your deserving skin, give your skin another gentle cleanse. This will wash away any fluids the patch left behind, leaving your complexion clean and balanced.
If the pimple hasn’t quite disappeared, now is a good time to use a trusted acne topical. Remember, a little goes a long way, and layering on too much acne cream could trigger the irritation your pimple patch just worked hard to prevent. If the pimple has lingering fluid, you may be better off skipping the topicals and applying another hydrocolloid patch instead.
Next up, quench your skin with your favorite moisturizer. This replenishes the fluids your acne patch just absorbed.
Do I Have to Pop a Pimple Before Using a Pimple Patch?
Truth be told, we’d never recommend popping a pimple. Popping transfers bacteria from your fingers to the pimple, slowing down recovery and creating the risk of infection. It also increases the likelihood that the pimple will leave behind a scar – and no one wants their breakout to leave a souvenir.
That said, we all bend to temptation every once in a while. So, if you find yourself with a popped pimple, rest assured – you can still care for your skin with a pimple patch. It’ll provide the same benefits: oil absorption, less inflammation, and protection against further prodding.
Skincare Routine, Meet Pimple Patches.
Now that you know how pimple patches work, all that’s left to do is elevate your skincare routine with our skin-loving pimple patches. Bye-bye blemishes, hello Bloomies!