When you’ve noticed individuals sporting heart- or star-shaped stickers on their faces it’s possible you’ll be questioning in case you’re lacking out on a unusual trend development. Pimple pitches, used to cowl and soothe undesirable spots, ship a topical remedy to resolve the blemish whereas hiding it.
However they’re not one-size-fits-all, and it’s not all the time as simple as popping one on. Frequent missteps could make your pimple patch much less efficient and even detrimental to your pores and skin.
1. You’re Utilizing Them on the Mistaken Zits Type
“Pimple patches will not be as efficient for widespread pimples as a result of they’re restricted in how a lot floor space they’ll cowl,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology and a scientific assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medication in New York Metropolis.
“Since hydrocolloid patches assist to attract out fluid, they could assist for conventional pimples, however will not be as efficient for blackheads, which are inclined to require components like salicylic acid and retinoids to penetrate and unclog the pores,” Dr. Garshick says.
2. You’re Maintaining Them On for Too Lengthy (or Not Lengthy Sufficient)
Hydrocolloid wants time to soak up fluid and assist a blemish flatten, Garshick says. “When worn for fewer than six hours, the patch typically hasn’t had sufficient time to swell, which is an indication it has not absorbed fluid and finished its job,” she provides.
Then again, leaving a patch on for too lengthy — past eight hours — doesn’t essentially make it simpler.
As soon as the hydrocolloid patch has absorbed as a lot as it could possibly, it’s primarily finished, and extended put on received’t have any extra profit, Garshick says. “For some individuals, particularly these with delicate or acne-prone pores and skin, that may result in irritation and even clogged pores across the space,” she provides.
3. You’re Combining Them With Different Energetic Elements
Pimple patches are available in two kinds: medicated and nonmedicated. Nonmedicated patches include solely hydrocolloids, says Angela J. Lamb, MD, an affiliate professor of dermatology on the Icahn College of Medication at Mount Sinai in New York Metropolis.
Medicated pimple patches additionally embrace energetic components, reminiscent of salicylic acid (to exfoliate useless pores and skin cells and unclog pores — however nonetheless sometimes not sufficient to deal with blackheads), niacinamide (to scale back irritation and regulate oil manufacturing), benzoyl peroxide (to kill acne-causing micro organism), and tea tree oil (as a pure antimicrobial and anti inflammatory agent).
Apply pimple patches to wash, dry pores and skin and keep away from inserting them on high of pores and skin merchandise that include different energetic components (until your dermatologist directs you to take action), as this will enhance the chance of irritation, Garshick says. (Additionally, keep away from making use of them over make-up or when pores and skin is damp, reminiscent of too quickly after showering.)
That is true for each medicated and nonmedicated patches, because the barrier-like nature of the patch can improve the efficiency and penetration of the opposite energetic skin-care components because it traps them on the pores and skin — which might result in elevated irritation or sensitivity, she says. Irritation can seem as redness, flaking, dryness, burning, or stinging of the pores and skin.
“If there are different components on the pores and skin, it might additionally make it more durable for any energetic ingredient within the pimple patch to penetrate, which can make the pimple patch itself much less efficient,” Garshick provides.
4. You’re Making use of It to Delicate Pores and skin
“Anybody with pores and skin irritation from adhesives or energetic components or allergic reactions, particularly with tea tree oil or benzoyl peroxide, ought to keep away from pimple patches,” Dr. Lamb says. Additionally, keep away from them if in case you have eczema (a bunch of inflammatory pores and skin situations that produce rash-like signs) or rosacea (a persistent pores and skin situation that causes redness and acne-like bumps), she provides.
You might need delicate pores and skin if it steadily turns into pink, stings, burns, reacts to merchandise with perfume or energetic components, or has elevated reactions to climate modifications, Garshick says.
When you have delicate pores and skin and wrestle with pimples, select light energetic components and deal with pores and skin barrier help. Azelaic acid, niacinamide, and adapalene may be good ingredient choices for individuals with delicate pores and skin, however they need to be launched slowly, Garshick says.
“Pairing these with a fragrance-free moisturizer that helps to help the pores and skin barrier may help cut back irritation whereas nonetheless treating breakouts,” she notes.
5. You’re Utilizing Them to Stop Breakouts
Whereas pimple patches assist deal with present breakouts, they don’t essentially stop new breakouts.
“Pimple patches are designed to deal with an present spot and are supposed to be reactive quite than preventive,” Garshick says. “They work to attract out fluid from an present spot — but when there isn’t any irritation or pus buildup, making use of a pimple patch will not be as useful.”
And whereas salicylic acid in some pimple patches can deal with particular person breakouts, it will not stop new pimples from forming elsewhere in your face, since patches cowl solely small, focused areas, she provides.
The Takeaway
- Pimple patches can deal with the occasional breakout, however they’re not meant for widespread pimples or blackheads.
- Timing additionally issues — pimple patches needs to be used for six to eight hours, on dry pores and skin, and individually from different energetic components.
- Don’t use pimple patches on delicate pores and skin or instead of a daily, preventive skin-care routine.
