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You may have seen photos of people wearing acne patches on Instagram. In the past few years, these clear spot stickers have become more and more popular, but they are especially popular in 2020 because many of us are dealing with masks.
Acne or acne patches are made of hydrocolloid, which is a viscous gel-like material that is usually used for wound healing in hospitals. (You may also have seen them in the emergency tunnel. They are packed in blister bandages.)
The function of this flexible material is to absorb fluid from the wound while keeping the surrounding skin moist, which is the key to speeding up the healing process. They can be very effective when used correctly under the right conditions.
In its essence, when there are open lesions or wounds that need to be pulled out, the hydrocolloid patch works best. Therefore, if you have a deep cyst or a closed acne under the surface of your skin, simply sticking a pimple patch on it may not have much effect.
On the other hand, if you have just selected an exudation point (hey, it happened) or a juicy white head is emerging, then the pimple patch can help drain any remaining liquid in the area and smooth it out as a result Discover faster. They can also create obstacles to help you avoid absent-mindedly touching your face, which can cause the spots to stay longer.
It is important to note that the hydrocolloid patch does not prevent the formation of new acne. To do this, you need a consistent skin care regimen, which may include pore cleansing products with proven ingredients such as retinol, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid.
Bottom line: Think of them as a supplement to your existing acne library, not a panacea.
First, always apply them to clean, dry skin so that they adhere to the spots properly. If your skin is greasy or still damp from cleansing, it may cause the edges of the patch to lift up and sometimes even slip off your face while you sleep.
At this point, most acne patches should be worn for a few hours at a time (this is why we like to use them before bed). Fortunately, there are many discreet options to choose from, which are almost impossible to detect even in broad daylight.
Last but not least (because it needs to be repeated): The best time to use the pimple patch is when you have an open place instead of a deep underground cyst. Once you have a freshly oozing pimple, don't delay applying the patch.
Buy acne patch: Klog Soft Shield Acne Patch ($6); original powerful patch ($13); Starface Hydro-Stars ($15)
Related: What is the best acne patch for different types of acne?
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