There’s nothing women haven’t tried on their journey to achieving the best skin of their life. From using toothpaste as spot treatment in their teens to shelling out moolah on pricey ingredients, we’ve all been there and done that! Yet, once in a while, there comes a product that is actually effective, does not burn a hole in your pocket and is safe to use in the long run. Cue: pimple patches.
Yes, pimple patches — which are basically just hydrocolloid patches — are an excellent remedy for breakouts. Let’s take a look at how these little magic stickers manage to shrink pimple overnight.
- What are hydrocolloid patches?
- How do hydrocolloid patches work?
- Do hydrocolloid patches work on cystic acne?
What are hydrocolloid patches?
Pimple patches are nothing but translucent (some coloured variants are also available) stick-on patches laced with hydrocolloid. This compound has been used in bandages for medical practices for a long time. They help shield a wound from the outside and allow it to heal in a moist environment — which is the natural way to get rid of any infection.
How do hydrocolloid patches work?
Hydrocolloid patches work by gently absorbing excess fluids — pus and oil from pimples. They stop you from picking on the wound with your bacteria-ridden fingers. The sterile environment provided by these stickers can prevent scarring, reduce inflammation and help your skin heal itself.
Do hydrocolloid patches work on cystic acne?
Even though pimple patches work on visible pimples with a ploppable head, they are less than helpful for deep-rooted cystic acne. The only good that pimple patches can do for cystic acne — especially those infused with tea tree oil — is help calm the redness. They can also be used to shield your cystic acne from makeup and you can indeed wear pimple patches under layers of foundation!
You do have to be careful while using pimple patches for cystic acne. Some of the ingredients might be too potent for your already sensitive skin to handle. Plus the adhesive can cause irritation if you use the sticker overnight. Also, make sure you’re always sticking the patches on clean skin. Every. Single. Time.
Written by Sumona Bose on Jul 28, 2020
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!