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They are said to be a panacea for pimples, but are they really?

If I can show you a picture of my medicine cabinet now (hey, become my BFF, I will), you will see that I have a whole section devoted to hydrocolloid patches-aka pimple patches. I have your OG, a simple hydrocolloid patch (affectionately called ~suction device~); my pimples are covered with darts, needles and a lot of acid; I have acne stickers that look like stickers— -Neon stars, peace signs, heart shapes, etc. Because anyone who suffers from hormonal acne knows that you really will never be prepared for whiteheads and acne.

However, despite the ridiculously rapid popularity of hydrocolloid patches, I find that most of my friends don't really know how they work...or why they work...or even if they are effective at all. This makes sense: if you use the wrong type on the wrong type of acne, you will see zero results, which will quickly turn you into an annoying person. That's why I am here today to explain all the hydrocolloid patches, including the best patches you can try right now. Keep reading and get ready for your pimples.

The hydrocolloid (coal-water-like) patch-also known as the pimple patch-is made of a hygroscopic material that has been used in the medical community for decades to help wounds heal. "Hydrocolloids help the skin heal from the inside out in a humid environment, just as it should," said Mona Gohara, a clinical associate professor, MD, and dermatologist at Yale University.

Basically, after you pop a pimple (shame!), stick it on a hydrocolloid patch. This material will gently absorb excess fluid, such as pus and oil, from the pimple you popped out, while also protecting The wound-yes, it is considered a wound-from bacteria, trash and your dirty little fingers. And because your pimples can now heal in a somewhat "sterile", moist environment-this is the key to preventing scar formation and speeding up the healing time-when you take it off, you will leave a flatter one , Less irritated pimples.

So even if you 100% shouldn't pop or pick your acne, you may still (sigh) and this is the source of these patches. Put one on your clean, completely dry skin and the pimple that is still oozing, and leave it on overnight. Peel it off in the morning, wash your skin, and if it still oozes, take another patch.

Ah yes, the white thing in the pimple patch. IMO, one of the most satisfying and comforting parts of using acne patches is to see how much slimy they seem to pull out of your acne when you peel it off. Buuut here is a little womp womp news: the white thing you see on the patch is not the real pus of your pimples-it is actually just moisture from your skin (of course, it may include some pus) Make the hydrocolloid patch white and sticky inside to help protect your wound.

Even though hydrocolloid patches will gently absorb fluid from the skin—and eventually turn white—they don’t actually suck mucus from deep within the pores. Therefore, if the pimples you squeeze are deep and inflamed (uh), don't expect your pimples patch to work wonders in smoothing your pimples.

Back to ~that day~ (aka a few years ago), the only pimple patches that exist were ordinary, translucent, hydrocolloid patches. Either you DIY your own by cutting dots from a large piece of hydrocolloid bandage-hi, me-or you manage to find a pre-cut hydrocolloid patch online or from a K-beauty store. In the end, the hydrocolloid patch is known for its cuter pimple patch name... and they have evolved.

Since then, acne patches have changed from their basic hydrocolloids to spot treatment hybrids, using anti-acne ingredients (such as salicylic acid, tea tree oil, glycolic acid, and niacinamide) to treat your acne while Protect it too. And, no, not all of these new pimple patches no longer use hydrocolloids as their base materials.

Nowadays, many acne patches either have: (1) A layer of acne treatment ingredients on the sticky surface to cover your acne in a targeted manner and will not be wiped off during your sleep spot treatment, or (2) ) Microdarts, which are small needle-shaped darts made of acne treatment ingredients, are very gently pushed into your skin before they dissolve.

Are hydrocolloid patches effective for cystic acne?

Short answer: No, the pimple patch does not work for cystic acne. This is devastating because cystic acne is the devil and the world needs topical/biblical treatment. Because cystic acne is an inflammation of the skin, the only quick treatment is for a dermatologist to inject cortisone. Sadly, no topical medicine will penetrate deep into the pores to kill inflammation (even the miraculous-sounding miniature dart patch does not work, because these darts don't actually pierce your skin, just for reference).

Nevertheless, popping on the acne sticker will not really hurt. For example, if you use a patch infused with salicylic acid or tea tree oil, it can help relieve some inflammation, while also preventing additional irritation from playing with pimples. Even regular, unmedicated hydrocolloid patches can help keep your hands away from your face-they are a barrier to prevent you from poking and pressing, both of which can further aggravate your cystic acne.

Honestly, it depends on the pimples you use and your skin type. If you are dealing with traditional oozing, just emerging acne, you can tap it on a regular hydrocolloid patch to help your body heal the wound quickly without further irritating it.

If you are treating any other pimples (whitehead acne, blind acne, and of course cystic acne), try using a patch for acne-or a patch using microdart technology (in my experience, this patch The flakes tend to be more aggressive in the sticky sector, rather than so gentle on super sensitive skin), or infused with a spot treatment ingredient, one of which is shown below.

Whichever one you choose, they will help you remove your fingers from your face, allowing time for the pimples to heal on their own without your intervention.

Fortunately, any potential risks are very, very low risks (of course, unless you are allergic to one of the active ingredients, please do not use them). However, if you have super sensitive skin like me, the adhesives can be a bit irritating, especially when you wear them all night or back to back.

Example: This week I applied a microdart patch on my cystic acne for almost 24 hours, and replaced it with a new patch every eight hours (when I was washing my face or showering), all the peeling and reapplying on my acne A red circle zit was left around-now I have a bigger red patch to cover up. Wow! But this is not the norm, I just have very sensitive skin. Still, it's not a bad idea to breathe (and a layer of lotion) on your face between your patches to prevent irritation.

…Within reason. No, they won't get rid of your unexploded pimples overnight, and no, they won't completely eliminate all the damage you caused during skin selection. But they can help treat pimples, calm inflammation, accelerate healing, and most importantly, make you feel more efficient while you are more or less waiting for your body to work. As we all know, this is absolutely maddening.