Do Acne Patches Really Work, and Which Pimples Are They For?
Acne patches have become a fixture on many people's dressing tables. You put one on, the pimple flattens faster, it draws out the pus, and it keeps you from picking at it. But a question I hear often in the clinic is: do acne patches really work, and why does the pimple not go down for some people after they apply one?
The short answer is that acne patches do work, but only on certain types of pimples. In this article, as a dermatologist, I explain how acne patches work, which acne they suit, how to use them so they work, and when a patch can no longer help and you should see a doctor.
What Are Acne Patches and How Do They Work?
Most acne patches are made of a material called hydrocolloid, the same material used in medical wound dressings. Its property is that it absorbs fluid. When it is placed over a pimple that has a pus head or is weeping fluid, the patch draws that fluid out, so the pimple dries and flattens faster.
Besides absorbing fluid, the patch acts as a barrier. It protects against germs from outside and against friction, and, importantly, it stops your own hands from picking or squeezing the pimple, which is a major cause of dark marks and acne scars.
There are also patches that contain active ingredients, such as salicylic acid or tea tree oil, and microneedle patches with tiny needles that help carry the ingredients into deeper pimples. But the basic principle is the same.
Which Pimples Are Acne Patches Suitable For?
This is the key to whether a patch works for you or not. Acne patches are designed for pimples that have a "head" and fluid that can be drawn out.
Pimples that patches help well
Ripe pus-filled pimples with a clearly white or yellow head: the patch draws out the pus and helps the pimple flatten faster.
Pimples that have just burst or are weeping fluid: the patch absorbs the fluid and covers the wound to protect against germs.
Single pimples that you want to stop yourself from picking.
Pimples that patches usually do not work on
Blackheads and whiteheads that are not yet inflamed, because there is no fluid to draw out.
Red, deep, inflamed bumps under the skin that have no head yet, because the patch cannot reach them.
Large, deep nodular or cystic acne. This group needs treatment from a doctor, not just a patch.
Put simply, if the pimple is still a deep red bump with no head, applying a patch will not help much, because there is no pus to draw out. Many people who say patches did nothing for them have simply used them on the wrong type of pimple.
How to Use Acne Patches So They Work
Wash your face and dry the area completely before applying, because the patch will not stick if the skin is oily or wet.
Choose a patch size that covers slightly beyond the edge of the pimple.
Leave it on for at least 6 to 8 hours or overnight. When the patch turns cloudy white, it has absorbed as much fluid as it can, so replace it with a new one.
Do not squeeze the pimple before applying the patch, because squeezing causes more inflammation and scarring than the pimple itself.
Do not reuse the same patch, and you do not need to wear it all day once the pimple has started to dry.
Limits You Should Know
Acne patches help manage pimples one at a time, but they do not treat the cause of acne. If new pimples keep appearing across your face, patching them one by one does not solve the problem, because acne comes from several factors together, including hormones, oil, clogged pores and bacteria, which need to be managed with overall treatment.
Another point is that patches containing certain active ingredients may irritate or cause an allergic reaction in some people. If a patch stings, turns red or itches more than usual, stop using it.
When Should You See a Dermatologist?
Acne patches suit mild acne care at home, but you should see a dermatologist if you have many red inflamed bumps, nodular or cystic acne that is painful, acne that leaves dark marks or scars, or acne that is persistent and does not clear even with self-care.
Proper acne treatment starts with assessing what type of acne you have and how severe it is, and then choosing topical medication, oral medication or a procedure to suit each person. Leaving deep inflamed acne for a long time while relying on patches alone often ends in scars that are much harder to treat than the pimple itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do acne patches really work? They work on pimples that have a pus head or fluid, because a hydrocolloid patch helps absorb the fluid and stops picking. They do not work on clogged pores that are not yet inflamed or on deep inflamed acne that has no head yet.
How long should an acne patch stay on? Leave it on for at least 6 to 8 hours or overnight. When the patch turns cloudy white, it has absorbed as much fluid as it can, so replace it with a new one. Do not reuse the same patch.
Can acne patches be used on inflamed acne? They work less well on red, deep inflamed bumps that have no head yet, because there is no fluid to draw out. If you have many inflamed pimples or cystic acne, see a doctor so the cause can be treated.
Do acne patches cause dark marks? The patch itself does not cause dark marks. On the contrary, it can help reduce them because it stops you from squeezing or picking the pimple, which is the main cause of dark marks and scars.
If you have chronic inflamed acne, deep nodular acne, or acne that leaves marks every time, patching one pimple at a time is not the answer. Having a dermatologist assess the type and severity of your acne and plan treatment that addresses the cause will help your acne clear and reduce marks. Consult a dermatologist at Siam Dermatology, call +66 61 448 7000 or LINE @siamderm.
Written and reviewed by Dr. Patara Voravutinon, Dermatologist
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