What Are The Advantages Of Hydrocolloid Bandages
Although there are numerous research on the benefits of hydrocolloid bandages for open wounds, there is just one on acne.
They discovered that applying 3m acne dressings on pimples for two days and then changing them lowered the severity of acne. It also helped to lessen the appearance of redness, oiliness, and dark pigmentation.
Hydrocolloid bandages have the disadvantage of being more expensive than alternative acne treatment patches.
Theyre also thicker than acne patches, and this thickens even more as they absorb more moisture.
A few pointers on how to use hydrocolloid bandages.
You can buy larger bandages intended for wound care and split them up into smaller forms.
Thinner hydrocolloid bandages are available and tend to stick and stay on a little better.
If you wish to wear them throughout the day, they also blend in a little better.
Be extremely cautious while purchasing hydrocolloid bandages.
They resemble acne treatment patches in appearance. So double-check that the package says hydrocolloid.
Ive heard that hydrocolloid bandages work well on pimples that are still intact.
Personally, Ive found that lancing the pimple first works better for me.
Do Pimple Patches Work On Deep Pimples
Deep pimples, just like severe acne, require a bit of specialized treatment to get rid of and rein in control. If anything, the correct answer to the question, do pimple patches work on deep pimples, is as long as the so-called pimples are not open or draining, then pimple patches will not have any notable effect on them.
At this particular juncture, you need a more targeted mode of zapping these annoying lesions such as AENO’s Skin Healing Pills which can neutralize the ballooning pimples from inside out.
Panoxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash
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How Do Hydrocolloid Dressings Work
The term hydrocolloid refers to a group of substances that are soluble in water and can thicken liquids. In hydrocolloid dressings, companies may use gelatin or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as the hydrocolloid agent.
When a wound secretes fluid, the hydrocolloid mixes with it to form a gel. According to older research from , this helps with wound healing by creating a moist environment that protects any new tissue the body is growing.
A notes that hydrocolloid dressings also:
- facilitate the bodys breakdown of damaged tissue
- encourage the formation of connective tissue and collagen
- maintain a consistent temperature around the wound
- maintain an acidic pH level in the wound, which reduces bacterial growth
- provide a barrier against bacteria from the environment, reducing the risk of infection
Hydrocolloid dressings provide wound care for the following:
- surface wounds
- abrasions, or wounds from scraping
- donor sites
Moreover, doctors may use them to protect undamaged skin that is at risk of developing a wound, or skin that is just starting to show damage from friction.
People also use hydrocolloid patches for acne.
There is not much research on how hydrocolloid dressings compare with other types of dressings. However, the research that does exist suggests they may have unique benefits in certain situations.
They Use The Same Basic Hydrocolloid Tech You Find In Mighty Patch Pimple Patches And Are Safe To Use

These bandages are safe to use on your zits and use the same basic hydrocolloid tech you’ll find in other hydrocolloid acne products.
Originally used for dressing wounds, hydrocolloid bandages are designed to seal out contamination like bacteria, create a moist environment to promote healing, and suck up excess fluid. For blemishes, this means you may notice a reduced recovery period and significantly less inflammation.
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Dr Jart+ Focuspot Blemish Micro Tip Patch
Like the ZitSticka, these acne patches uses micro-darts to gently penetrate the skins barrier and help deliver the pimple-fighting ingredients straight to the source. These contain hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin B3 to help attack the blemish while also working to prevent side-effects like hyper pigmentation.
Whichever patches you choose to use, just make sure theyre still on your face when you wake up in the morning, and then make sure you remember to take them off before you leave the house for the day. That is, unless youre into wearing acne patches as an accessory. We wont judge.
Should I Use A Hydrocolloid Bandage Or An Acne Treatment Patch
Hydrocolloids and treatment patches look similar but act differently.
Use a hydrocolloid bandage if your pimple is raised or has visible pus, so it can suck out the fluid and flatten out the pimple. However, if your pimple is too wet, it can make the bandage stick badly and fall off. If your pimple doesnt actually have any fluid in it, a hydrocolloid patch wont do much.
Use an acne treatment patch if your pimple is inflamed but doesnt contain much fluid. They wont be able to absorb much fluid, so if your pimple is wet at all it will fall off quickly.
Acne treatment patches are thinner than hydrocolloids if your pimple is already quite flat, theyre almost invisible to the eye and you can wear them outside without it being too obvious.
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Best Pimple Patch Kit For Emerging Pimples
This two-step kit comes with a swab thats medicated with blemish-banishers salicylic acid and tea tree oil for cleaning the area. Next, apply a Killa patch, which is outfitted with microdarts, a technology that pushes salicylic acid and anti-inflammatory niacinamide into the zit for quick healing. Most other hydrocolloid patches should be used for pimples that have a white head, but this one is different. The company says it works best on pimples that are red and painful and have not yet come to the surface.
Try Zitsticka Killa Kit, $29, Zitsticka.com
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Are They Good For All Skin Types
If youre a lucky duck and get a pimple once in a blue moon, then this is a great arsenal to have! However, if you suffer from hormonal or cystic acne, then you should make a trip to the dermatologist for stronger alternatives. But that doesnt mean you cant use these! If you have a big event coming up and wake up with a zit right in the middle of your face, cleanse, apply one of these bad boys and go about your day. The pimple patches will suck out all the dirt, impurities and pus and the pimple will be flattened in no time at all.
Read Here: Here’s What To Do When You Get A Pimple Before A Big Date!
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How To Use Hydrocolloid Patches
Now that you know what hydrocolloid patches are, we can get into the good stuff: How to use them. First, identify the blemish you want to cover and choose a pimple patch that will cover the spot in its entirety. If the area you want to treat has multiple blemishes, a larger hydrocolloid patch may be ideal.
Then, using a dampened cotton swab, gently clean the spot until it is completely free of product. Once it’s sufficiently cleaned, you can peel the pimple patch from its backing and carefully apply it sticky-side down. Exact application instructions may differ from product to product. For example, most pimple patches are designed to be worn overnight, but this can vary. Follow the directions included with the specific patches you’re using.
Once you’ve left your pimple patch on for the recommended amount of time, wash your hands and carefully remove the sticker from your blemish. Then, cleanse, tone, and moisturize your face as usual with your preferred products.
Cosrx Acne Master Pimple Patch
The brand’s OG hydrocolloid pimple patches are one of the best on the market, and this new iteration of their formula comes in the form of an oval, versus the original circle. This shape helps cover multiple blemishes at once, but works especially well on larger curved areas that need attention, like the hairline. 26 patches come in each pack, and rest assured it’s a product you can trustit won a Beauty Crush Award.
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They Suck The Gunk Out Of Your Pores
If you were a fan of pore strips way back when, youll love these. These patches are effective because they absorb excess fluid and have a vacuum-like effect that gets out any dirt and oil that could be causing a breakout, says Dr. Jaliman. It then converts those impurities into a gel-like substance that sticks to the patch and is sealed away from the face. Another perk: They may also prevent bacteria from entering the pimple and exacerbating redness and inflammation. This sucking effect is central to hydrocolloid technology, according to the bandage brand Nexcare.
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What Is A Pimple Patch And How It Works

30 Mar, 2021
Dealing with blemishes is a lifelong battle for some of us. Hormonal acne can be especially irritating — pimples seem to come out of nowhere at any given time during the month, but especially at certain points during your cycle.
When it comes to acne treatments, were all looking for help! The acne treatment industry is a 4.1 billion dollar industry, and there are a lot of miracle cures to fill that need. But, where does that leave you as a consumer?
If youre thinking, lost, we feel you.
It can be hard to decide which treatments are effective and which arent worth your time. You dont want to spend money on something that doesnt work, but in the end, youd try just about anything to get rid of unwanted blemishes and prevent breakouts.
Some acne treatments can be really harsh, leaving your skin stripped of moisture and making it feel dry and irritated. If you already deal with sensitive skin, using a harsh acne treatment can make matters worse.
At Rael, were committed to bringing you the best in holistic self-care items that actually work and help you feel your best. Thats why were seriously ecstatic over pimple patches. They may sound like hype, but theyre definitely heroes.
Ready for the tea on what these little miracle workers are and how they work? Read on.
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What Are Acne Patches & How Do They Work
Acne sticker patches, pimple patches, or zit stickers, are small round stickers that contain hydrocolloid. Acne patches are typically round, semi-transparent stickers. They are made of hydrocolloid, a type of bandage that draws out moisture from within pores without drying out the surrounding skin. They work by absorbing excess fluid, pulling oil and dirt away from the pimple. Acne patches are made from the same ingredients and materials as hydrocolloid bandages, which are most commonly used for post-surgical wounds to help speed up the healing process.
At EcoFeminii we dont use any animal products.On the market today, hydrocolloid products aretypically made from gelatine .As a plant-based company, you can rest assured that our sticker patches are made from non-animal ingredients. We use carboxymethylcellulose instead, and glycerol ester of rosin to aid adherence to the skin.
Benefit of Acne PatchesThere are a number of benefits to using acne patches. Not only do they absorb contents of your spot helping them to heal faster, but they can prevent you from picking or trying to pop the pimple.
Picking a pimple increases inflammation and healing time and increases risk for infection, discolouration, and scarring. If youre unlucky enough to have to battle with pimples now, you certainly dont want to have to battle with the scars later in life.
Can Pimple Patches Make Acne Worse
For most people, pimple patches are, at worst, simply unhelpful which is to say that they wont make your acne worse, but they wont make it better, either. If you have sensitive skin, though, you may want to steer clear of pimple patches.
They do use a bit of adhesive to stick to your skin, so if youre allergic or sensitive to adhesive, this may aggravate the skin surrounding the lesion, Dr. Kassouf says.
And some brands use ingredients such as salicylic acid or tea tree oil to dry out pimples, which may also dry or irritate sensitive skin.
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Do Those Pimple Stickers Actually Work
- Pimple patches may work on surface-level acne like pus-filled pimples and blackheads, but arent effective for cystic acne.
- Theyre made with zit-drying hydrocolloid, and many products have additional acne-fighting ingredients.
- Its best to consult with a dermatologist for the most effective treatment plan for your skin.
Is skin care the new self-care? Or has there always been as much excitement around the next skin fix?
Pimple patches are one of the hottest products right now for the blemish challenged. These little bandages are made to be stuck directly onto pimples to dry them up more quickly.
While many pimple patches are small translucent stickers, others are look-at-me loud yellow stars and jewel-adorned flower shapes. Theyre meant to be seen, with companies saying theyre aiming to fight the stigma associated with acne.
While stigma remains, up to 50 million people a year experience acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology . Acne doesnt just impact people going through puberty. Up to 50 percent ).
Clearing up acne isnt only about achieving glowing skin. Acne can impact mental health too. For example, one 2016 study found that 45 percent of people with acne experience social phobia, compared to 18 percent of people without.
Pimple stickers promise to alleviate some the blow to self-esteem that comes from going to work with a too-big-to-ignore zit on your face. Dermatologists tell us if they live up to this promise.
What Are Pimple Patches Vs Hydrocolloid Patches
Back in ~the day~ , the only pimple patches that existed were plain, semi-clear, hydrocolloid patches. Either you DIY’d your own by cutting dots from big sheets of hydrocolloid bandageshi, meor you managed to find pre-cut hydrocolloid patches online or from K-beauty shops. Eventually, hydrocolloid patches became known by their way cuter name of pimple patches…and they also evolved.
Since then, pimple patches have morphed from their basic hydrocolloid beginnings to spot-treatment hybrids, using acne-fighting ingredients to treat your pimple while also protecting it. And, nope, not all of these new types of pimple patches use hydrocolloid as their base material anymore.
Now, a lot of pimple patches will either have: a layer of acne-treating ingredients on their sticky side to cover your zit in a targeted, won’t-wipe-off-in-your-sleep spot treatment, or microdarts, i.e., little needle-like darts made out of acne-treating ingredients that push very gently into your skin before dissolving.
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How Do Hydrocolloid Bandages And Acne Patches Work
An ugly pimple crops up on your face and you have an interview the next day? You could put a little tea tree oil or benzoyl peroxide on it, but the spot treatment of the moment are acne patches. Long gone are the days of trying to dry your pimples out with toothpaste and baking soda .
There are a few advantages to using acne patches:
- They protect your pimple from rubbing and touching , which can lead to infection and scarring
- They can create a moist environment for faster and better healing
- They can deliver active ingredients to your pimple and the bandage can make them penetrate more effectively
- They can absorb fluid from your pimple
- They can protect your pimple from UV light, which can decrease pigmentation
- Theyre usually waterproof, so you dont need to reapply them every time you wash your face
There are two types of acne patches: hydrocolloid bandages and treatment patches.
Pimple Patches With Micro
Do hydrocolloid patches work on cystic acne?
Short answer: Nope, pimple patches don’t work on cystic zits. Which is devastating, because cystic acne is the devil, and the world needs a topical/biblical cure. Because cystic zits are under-the-skin inflammation, the only quick treatment is a cortisone shot from your dermatologist. Sadly, nothing topical is going to make its way deep into your pore to kill inflammation .
Still, popping on an acne patch cant really hurt either. If, for example, you use a patch thats infused with salicylic acid or tea tree oil, it can help calm some inflammation while also preventing added irritation from you playing with the zit. Even regular, unmedicated hydrocolloid patches can be beneficial in helping you keep your hands off your facetheyre a shield against your poking and pressing, both of which can further aggravate your cystic zit.
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