What are acne patches made of?
Patches are made of a hydrocolloid material commonly found and used in the medical field to speed up the healing process of post-surgical wounds. Being extremely beneficial, the skincare industry has adapted and created small patches of the same material to speed up the acne healing process.
How do acne patches work ?
Hydrocolloid patches draw excess pus from the cyst and prevent the area from becoming infected, forming a moist barrier that aids the healing process. When a pimple heals faster, it is less likely to leave pigment spots.
In short, patches have three basic functions:
- I draw the pus from the basket
- They prevent infection of the area
- It acts as a moist barrier that accelerates healing and prevents scarring
When and how should you apply acne patches?
The patches were created for the final stage of hives, when the yellow tip can be seen.
When the upper part of the skin "breaks" and the pimple comes to the surface, there is a risk of infection which indirectly increases the chances of scarring or hyperpigmentation of the skin. That's why the pimple must be covered with a plaster: to extract the pus and protect the area from bacteria that spread the infection and cause acne.
Mistakes to avoid when using acne patches:
1. Do not clean or dry the face before using the patches
Excess sebum and water affect the absorption power of the patches. Make sure your skin is clean and dry before using them.
2. Applying patches at the end of the routine
Covering the cysts with plasters at the end of the routine is not ideal because the plasters will absorb the applied products instead of the pus that needs to be extracted from the cyst.
3. Dirty/oily fingers when removing patches
Make sure your hands are clean when removing the patches. Fingers can leave oil on the edges of the patches and this can affect their adhesion.
4. Using patches too early
It's true, this way you won't be touching the pimples again but it's not ideal to use a patch when the pimple is inflamed, red and painful. Wait until the inflammation subsides and the pus is brought to the surface.
5. It is a long lasting solution
Patches do not provide a solution to the root cause of acne, but provide a temporary solution to heal the existing pimple. Therefore, you should not rely solely on patches as a permanent treatment. To get rid of acne, the patches should be used in combination with a routine that contains anti-acne ingredients.
ZUTTER Beauty Experts' Favorite Patches:
COSRX - ACNE PIMPLE MASTER PATCH
COSRX - CLEAR FIT MASTER PATCH
