{"id":174838,"date":"2022-05-28T18:41:49","date_gmt":"2022-05-29T01:41:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/?p=174838"},"modified":"2022-05-30T09:34:18","modified_gmt":"2022-05-30T16:34:18","slug":"hydrocolloid-patches-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/hydrocolloid-patches-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How do Hydrocolloid Patches Work"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do Hydrocolloid Patches Work?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve woken up to a white-headed Mount Vesuvius on your face that\u2019s ready to pop and unleash cataclysmic damage on your plans, you\u2019ve likely prayed to the heavens for a miracle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Well, the heavens delivered. And in its gold-rimmed celestial parcel is the hydrocolloid patch\u2014also known as the pimple patch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Named after its primary ingredient\u2014 hydrocolloid, a type of healing gel<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014these patches come to the rescue to protect your skin and absorb any ruinous\u00a0 fluid, like puss and oil. Stay tuned as we dig deeper\u00a0 into how to use hydrocolloid patches.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding Hydrocolloid Patches<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, acne comes in an endless variety\u2014from inflamed, red blemishes to deep, and sometimes painful, abscesses. Surely, these patches aren\u2019t a cure-all, but they can alleviate a lot. Similar to a spot treatment, these are applied to a pimple to heal it. Generally, hydrocolloid patches work best on pimples that lie on the surface of your skin or blemishes that are already erupting with pus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What They Can Do<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What do hydrocolloid patches do? At a fundamental level, these types of healing, acne patches are most effective for spot treatments. In other words, they can function well when you are in a pinch and have a one-off zit to deal with.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While hydrocolloid patches won\u2019t make your pimple disappear completely, they can help the bump decrease in size and redness. In particular, these <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/best-pimple-patches\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pimple patches<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provide the following benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Preventing infection<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 With a patch over your pimple or zit, you don\u2019t have to worry about picking at the scab and causing yet another infection. These patches keep the area clean and free from bacteria so that your zit or pimple can heal without complications.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you know you\u2019ll be fixating on that angry looking red dot, it\u2019s best to throw on a patch and keep your hands to yourself.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Removing moisture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Beyond just absorbing the liquid from the zit itself, your hydrocolloid patch also blocks other fluids from getting in the mix.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If the weather is particularly warm during your planned day outing or you\u2019re about to go for an intense run, keep your pimple free from sweat with a trusty patch.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hiding your pimple<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 While some hydrocolloid patches feature unique and fun stickers, others are skin-colored and can help keep your zit as inconspicuous as possible. Even if that new bump hasn\u2019t healed by the time your event rolls around, you can slap on a patch to conceal the inflammation. Note that patches may be more effective on flat surfaces, such as your cheek or forehead, than on round surfaces like your nose.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/pimple-patches\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">best pimple patches<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> isn&#8217;t too challenging since these are the new buzz products in skincare town. But once you find the right ones, you&#8217;ll be happy you did.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What They Can\u2019t Do<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While hydrocolloid patches are effective against surface-level acne,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> they can\u2019t solve every pimple problem that ruptures on your face. In particular, these patches do not cover the following conditions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Blackheads and whiteheads<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Don\u2019t get rid of those nose strips yet! Hydrocolloid patches work on larger wounds, namely zits and pimples, but they are not effective against other elements that clog your pores, such as blackheads and whiteheads.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Acne prevention<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 While your trusty pimple patch is helpful in dealing with a zit that\u2019s at the surface, it cannot remove excess oil from your skin or keep your pores clear. In other words, hydrocolloid patches shouldn\u2019t take the place of your normal, daily skincare routine.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Largescale breakouts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 If you feel a large breakout boiling beneath the surface of your skin, a hydrocolloid patch may not work. Largescale breakouts often come from deeper in the skin, which makes hydrocolloid patches much less effective. However, breakouts and cystic acne can also come with one-off zits and pimples, so it doesn\u2019t hurt to have a pack of patches ready.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using Your Patch<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ve got your hands on a hydrocolloid patch and you\u2019re ready to put an end to your pesky pimple. Now what?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While your patch functions like any old bandaid, you can increase its effectiveness by taking a few extra steps before applying the patch.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 1: Clean the Area<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This should be done before applying any acne treatment in general, but before you slap on your hydrocolloid patch and say goodbye to that Vesuvian zit, it\u2019s important to clean the surrounding area.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> After all, one of the benefits of the patch is to prevent infection, acting as a barrier against external elements that might irritate your pimple. But if the wound itself is not clean, you won\u2019t be helping the patch do its job.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When cleaning the area, make sure to use gentle motions, disrupting the zit or pimple as little as possible. Try the following fluids:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use a mild cleanser, such as an unscented or gentle face wash<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and gently dab around the pimple<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wash with simple soap and water, but be gentle and do not scrub vigorously<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 2: Save the Patch for Open Wounds<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it might be tempting to put on a patch when the pimple is just starting to form, hydrocolloid, the active ingredient in the patch, won\u2019t be able to work without an open wound through which to enter the skin.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means that you should only use the patch if you see some sort of drainage or oil at the top of the pimple or zit. Consider these example scenarios to get an idea for when a hydrocolloid patch is most effective:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You couldn\u2019t keep your hands off and ended up squeezing the oil out of the zit with a Q-tip, causing the zit to bleed.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You began picking at the scab without thinking as your pimple was healing, leading to a fresh wound.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your pimple, which was just a red bump a few days ago, has now bubbled to the surface of your skin, complete with a small white dot of oil at its tip.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you wait for an open wound, this allows the acne patch to aid in wound healing and speed up the process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 3: Give it Time\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While a hydrocolloid patch may be your best bet in a sticky situation\u2014like say, your pimple exploded a day before your family\u2019s annual photo op\u2014the patch needs time to soak fully into your skin for a few hours to work its magic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means that if you discover a pimple in the morning and want it <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gone <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by evening, you might be asking for too much. However, applying a hydrocolloid patch can help reduce the size of the pimple and make it less noticeable and inflamed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To understand how much time you should be giving the hydrocolloid patch, consider the following tips:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Read the instructions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Just like pimples, hydrocolloid patches vary from one to another, so your best bet will be to read the fine print on your pack. This will provide you with a reasonable timeframe to stick to, although you can wear your patch for longer or shorter depending on your exact situation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Apply overnight<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 If you have the time, applying your patch before bed is a fabulous opportunity to let the patch work undisturbed.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This will also ensure that you leave the hydrocolloid patch on for a long enough period of time to see a difference. Plus, you\u2019ll wake up in the morning to a much smaller pimple\u2014is there a better feeling?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Leave on for a long time<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 The recommended amount of time varies, but some experts recommend leaving your pimple patch on for as long as 24 to 48 hours, if possible.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> However, after a few days, it\u2019s best to remove the patch, as the active ingredient will stop functioning, and your pimple will need room to breathe and heal.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 4: Keep Your Skin Dry<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve ever applied a pimple patch on wet skin, then you know the frustration of trying to paste it back on as it comes loose throughout the day. Getting your hydrocolloid patch wet is the easiest way to have it fall off, so make sure your skin is completely dry before applying.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FabFitFun: All Your Lifestyle Needs In a Neat, Perfect Box<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The only thing better than hydrocolloid patches that work is not needing them at all! With our FabFitFun Box, you can have the best of both worlds. Discover more pimple and acne skin care including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/product\/hero-cosmetics-mighty-patch-invisible\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Invisible+<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> acne patches, spot treatments, and more at FabFitFun.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re looking for those beauty must-haves and skincare staples, our customizable beauty boxes are your heavenly delivery\u2014simply choose a membership plan, enter your information, and get all things wellness and beauty shipped to your door every season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From well-designed, chic cooking equipment and that no-fuss tote bag you\u2019ll be carrying around town to the latest beauty tips and tricks, we have everything you need for the lifestyle you deserve. Learn more and sign up with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FabFitFun<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Sources:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthline. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7 Acne Patches to Try: From Medicated to Microneedle<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/beauty-skin-care\/acne-patches\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/beauty-skin-care\/acne-patches<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cleveland Clinic. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do Pimple Patches Actually Work?<\/span><\/i> <a href=\"https:\/\/health.clevelandclinic.org\/how-do-pimple-patches-work\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/health.clevelandclinic.org\/how-do-pimple-patches-work\/<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthline. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do Those Pimple Stickers Actually Work?<\/span><\/i> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health-news\/do-those-pimple-stickers-actually-work\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health-news\/do-those-pimple-stickers-actually-work<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CNet. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can hydrocolloid bandages help heal acne? Here&#8217;s how they work<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/health\/personal-care\/how-hydrocolloid-bandage-acne-stickers-work\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/health\/personal-care\/how-hydrocolloid-bandage-acne-stickers-work\/<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthline. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Infected Pimple: Is it Infected? <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/skin\/infected-pimple\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/skin\/infected-pimple<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":"How do Hydrocolloid Patches Work? If you\u2019ve woken up to a white-headed Mount Vesuvius on ...","author":8251152,"featured_media":174839,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6,275],"tags":[],"thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/static.fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/13113139\/Screen-Shot-2022-05-13-at-11.29.41-AM.jpg","thumbnail_url_middle_card":"https:\/\/static.fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/13113139\/Screen-Shot-2022-05-13-at-11.29.41-AM-386x200.jpg","formated_date":"May 28, 2022","category_name":"Beauty","category_icon":"https:\/\/d3vodd1ws13xud.cloudfront.net\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/10113828\/beauty-1.svg","author_name":"Carly Biggs","trending":false,"sponsored":false,"random_color":"#a01c42","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/174838"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8251152"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=174838"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/174838\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/174839"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=174838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=174838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=174838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}