Three types of patches are used for pimples and acne as treatments. In this post, I will discuss each of them.
Let’s get started…
All three are hydrocolloid patches, but they offer different benefits to the skin, which sets them apart.
These patches don’t work on closed pimples (don’t show any obvious liquid) or on blackheads.
What are hydrocolloid patches?
These patches are made up of a material called hydrocolloid. Doctors have been using hydrocolloid patches on open wounds for many years.
These patches have three layers.
The first layer, the adhesive material, is the foundation of the patch. It’s what sticks to the skin, providing a secure base for the other layers to do their work.
The middle layer is hydrocolloid material designed to pull moisture and gunk from the open pimple or acne. Gunk refers to the liquid that oozes out of an open pimple or acne.
The third layer is a thick material that keeps the other two layers in place. This layer also protects the wound (open pimple, acne) from attacks from environmental nasties. An open wound is susceptible to attracting bacteria and other nasties from the environment, which worsens the wound.
When you remove the patch after leaving it on the affected area for some time, you will notice a lot of white gunk on it. This is the gunk it has pulled from the open wound.
How do these hydrocolloid patches help heal faster?
The hydrocolloid material does two things to help the open pimple or acne heal faster:
In a wound, cells in that area are inflammed. Inflammed cells ooze out a type of liquid. This is the gunk that comes out of the wound. In the case of an open pimple or acne, it’s usually white. The wound area heals when new skin comes on top of it. The area must be clear of this gunk for new skin to make its way. Hydrocolloid material absorbs the gunk and moves it out of the way so the healing can take place.
Wounds heal faster when the skin is hydrated. The ‘good’ moisture in the skin cells helps the skin stay hydrated. In a wound area, this ‘good’ moisture is more prone to evaporating into the atmosphere. The third layer in the patch, the thick material, forms a seal on the wound and prevents the ‘good’ moisture from evaporating into the atmosphere.
A word of caution here: Not all patches can help heal faster. Some can worsen the wound. More on what helps and what doesn’t in the later sections of this post…
Are there any other ways it helps the area heal faster?
It stops you from picking on the wound (open pimple/acne). Picking the wound spreads the germs to the surrounding area, which means pimples can also pop up in surrounding areas. Picking the wound aggravates the area, and the wound worsens. Picking the wound can lead to scarring once it heals. It leads to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is extremely difficult to get rid of once it occurs.
The patch protects the area from the sun’s UV rays. It cannot provide much protection—but some. The sun’s UV rays can worsen an open wound.
An open wound is a magnet for nasty bacteria and other organisms in the environment, which can worsen the area. The patch seals the area off and thus protects it from these attacks.
Below, I will delve into the three types of hydrocolloid patches…
1. Plain Hydrocolloid patches
These are simple hydrocolloid patches. They are just hydrocolloid patches with no other additional ingredients.
These are perfect if you have sensitive skin and want to use a patch but want to keep it simple.
These patches do their job without causing additional damage to the area. The same cannot be said for the other types of patches. The other two types can damage the area if the wrong one is used.
A word of caution here: Don’t apply this patch over skincare. First, clean your face well, and then apply the patch. Don’t sandwich any skincare between the patch and your skin. If there is any skincare in between, the chances of that skincare aggravating your wound area are very high.
2. Hydrocolloid patches with Treatment ingredients
These are hydrocolloid patches with some added skincare ingredients.
These additional ingredients help the wound area heal faster, but in some cases, it can worsen the area. Hence, exercise care, consider the ingredients, and don’t just buy any patch.
The logic behind these patches is that you are delivering the ‘healing’ ingredients straight onto the wound area, which should help the area heal faster.
The most common ‘treatment’ ingredients in these patches are salicylic acid, tea tree oil, hyaluronic acid or other hydrating ingredients, benzoyl peroxide and facial oils.
Some of these patches might not have a hydrocolloid section. They only have the adhesive that sticks to the skin, treatment ingredients, and the thick layer that holds it together. Some also have the hydrocolloid section.
Here are a few important points to be aware of about these patches:
You are sealing the area with these ingredients. The wound area will experience the full force of the ingredient for a considerable period. The effect is much higher than if you spread the ingredient all over your face or apply the ingredient as a spot treatment on the area without the patch. This is why having the wrong or the right ingredient at a higher concentration in the patch can worsen the area.
A lower concentration of an ingredient in the patch is better. For example, up to 2% salicylic acid is quite effective on the skin. But in a patch, make sure the salicylic acid is much lower. 2% salicylic acid in the patch is very strong. Because you are effectively sealing the area with the ingredient, the potency of any ingredient you use will be much higher. Regular concentrations, which are okay in a skincare product, can cause damage if used in a patch. Around 0.5% salicylic acid is better. Lower concentrations in a patch are much better and safer.
To be safe, use only the patches that mention the concentration of the active ingredients. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are common active ingredients.
Don’t use patches that have botanical oils. These can irritate the area. Though normally they might be okay on your skin, since you are sealing those oils in a spat, it can irritate.
Don’t use patches with tea tree oil. The chances of tea tree oil in a patch irritating a wound area are high.
Ensure your face is clean before applying the patch to the wound. Don’t assume that applying a skincare product to the wound and then applying the patch on top of it will help the wound heal quickly. Sandwiching any skincare product between the wound and the patch is risky. It can inflame the wound area further.
3. Hydrocolloid patches with Treatment ingredients and Micro-needles
In addition to the treatment ingredients, these patches also have some micro-needles. These micro-needles push the ingredients into the skin. This will help heal the area quicker…However, if the wrong ingredients are used, the area will worsen more than it will with the other two patches.
A few reminders about these patches
To apply these three patches correctly, ensure your face is clean. Then, stick the patch directly onto the clean skin without applying any skincare products. After the patch is in place, you can proceed to apply skincare to the rest of your face.
These patches don’t ‘treat’ acne or pimples. They aid in healing by giving them space and time to heal. Having said that, the patches with benzoyl peroxide help in treating. But always remember that patches with treatment ingredients can worsen the situation if not used correctly or have the wrong concentrations. The best way to use these patches is to apply plain hydrocolloid patches in the morning or evening and follow an acne-treating skincare routine for the rest of the day.