All You Need To Know About Pimple Patches
If you’ve discovered that a new pimple has sprouted, you might be tempted to do one of two things: Pop the baby to try and save your Complexion, or grab your acne treatment in hopes of dampening the growth. Of course, not all acne treatments are the same and if you have a tendency to burst your pimples (which is a big no-no), then treat them, you absolutely need something that helps to heal.
Enter hydrocolloid bandages commonly known as pimple spots and acne spots (or acne stickers). You may have seen this trendy acne treatment on social media, but there’s more to it than just being a magic spot that repels unwanted breakouts. Hydrocolloid (The main ingredient in most pimple spots) dressings have come a long way in the world of skin care, and we are here to fill you in all the details.
Keep scrolling to find out how acne patches work and how to use acne patches in your skin care.
What are Pimple patches?
Before we talk about how acne patches work, let’s get into a little history. According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), hydrocolloid associations have been around for several decades — more precisely since the 1970s. However, his original intention was not to treat acne.
Hydrocolloid dressings were originally invented as one of the first options for caring for wet wounds. Essentially, these bandages have two layers. According to another NCBI study, the inner layer contains a Gel that moisturizes and creates a moist environment to promote healing, while the outer layer seals and protects against external influences. The moist environment draws fluids from the wound, making it more effective to heal.
How do pimples for acne work?
So how does all this link in the treatment of acne? Well, hydrocolloid patches for acne work the same way. They create a moist environment that draws pus from these annoying pimples. They also help prevent picking and allow time to heal if you have already picked or popped a pimple (which is not yet the matter) and caused an open wound. Pretty awesome, huh?
In addition, an NCBI study found that acne dressings allowed less UVB light to penetrate the surface of the skin, which improved the appearance of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris.
Since hydrocolloid is the main component of most pimple spots and extracts sebum and other liquids, the pimples that accumulate benefit most from it. However, nowadays there are many Zit patches on the market that can be applied to Headless pimples—they usually have tiny spines infused with ingredients such as salicylic acid and niacinamide to reduce the size of the spot and speed up the healing time.
How to use a Pimple patch in your skin care Routine
Now that you have received the breakdown on what hydrocolloid patches for acne are, you are probably wondering how to use one. Below is a simple step-by-step guide on how to properly use a hydrocolloid bandage, also known as a pimple patch, in your skin care.
Step 1. Cleanse Your Skin
As with any skin care, start with clean skin. So take a cleanser formulated for your skin type, and then wash it off. We love L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser because it gently cleanses the skin without drying it out and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Step 2. Choose Your Pimple Patch
When it comes to choosing the right patch for your acne, it is important to take into account the size of your cosmetic defect. Make sure that your Patch is large enough so that the entire Rash can be located under the center of the patch-do not worry, pimple spots nowadays are of different shapes and sizes.
You can also buy small circular spots that are slightly larger than your average pimple, or buy larger hydrocolloid dressings and cut them to size.
Step 3. Cover your Pimple
You know what to do — align the patch with your acne and stick it on your dry, clean skin. Also check the instructions of the product you are buying to make sure that you are using it correctly, as the methods of application may vary slightly depending on the stage of your rash.
Step 4. Let him work his Magic
Leave your pimple spot alone-usually overnight-until you see a white spot in the middle (if it is light) or until it completely takes on an opaque color. When this happens, you will know that the Patch has done its job. It’s pretty revolting, but the results are worth it.
Then gently remove and discard the patch with clean hands and continue the remaining stages of your skin care.
