Gen-Z Loves Pimple Patches– Are They Worth a Try?

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For years, pimples were something you wanted to get rid of quickly and privately. You probably searched far and wide for quick fixes and ways to cover up a zit, including using concealer (yes, even for men), popping (not a good idea), and various skincare products with promising results.

There’s a new product making the rounds on social media, especially TikTok, called “pimple patches.” Unlike traditional remedies, they aren’t necessarily discreet. If you’re unfamiliar with them or haven’t joined TikTok, pimple patches have gained a lot of popularity recently, especially among Gen-Z, but they can be effective for anyone struggling with acne. These adhesive stickers go directly over the pimple. 

Many of these patches are brightly colored or come in fun shapes, like stars, which don’t hide the fact that you have a pimple. However, clear ones exist too. Are either worth the hype?

What Are Pimple Patches and How Do They Work?
Pimple patches are small adhesive stickers aimed at covering acne spots. They can be barely visible or come in fun shapes and colors. Acne and pimples are often seen as a “teenager problem,” but adults can also experience this chronic skin condition. Besides giving you a confidence boost—either by masking a pimple or making one a fashion statement—pimple patches can help speed up healing in two ways.

Firstly, these patches help with healing by preventing you from picking at your pimples, which can worsen the condition. Secondly, some patches also have active ingredients to dry and heal a pimple. Hydrocolloid is one common ingredient. Hydrocolloid can absorb fluid from a pimple while shielding it from external irritants, including your fingers. It can also reduce inflammation, speeding up the healing process. However, not all pimple patches are the same.

There are some pimple patches that contain active ingredients, such as salicylic acid, to treat a pimple so it shrinks and disappears even faster. Other common skincare ingredients you might find in pimple patches include tea tree oil, tea tree extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and benzoyl peroxide.

Do Pimple Patches Work on Unpopped Pimples?
The effectiveness of pimple patches can vary. Generally, pimple patches have earned their place in skincare by preventing further damage and promoting faster healing. They tend to work best on whiteheads and pustules, which are filled with fluid that can be absorbed by a pimple patch. However, if you have a different type of pimple, managing your expectations is essential.

You can certainly put pimple patches on other types of blemishes, such as cysts, but these types of blemishes may be better treated by a pimple patch that contains active ingredients. Regardless, keeping a blemish covered and protected from bacteria, including bacteria found on your fingers or phone, can help aid the healing process. For unpopped pimples, especially deeper cystic ones, pimple patches won’t be as effective because they can’t penetrate the skin to address the underlying inflammation.

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Do Dermatologists Recommend Pimple Patches?
Dermatologists say that pimple patches can work, but whether they recommend them depends on the individual and the specific concern. Pimple patches can be beneficial for patients who tend to pick at their skin, as such behavior can lead to hyperpigmentation and permanent scarring, which are much harder to treat and may require more expensive interventions like lasers or chemical peels later on.

However, acne patches are not a treatment but rather a temporary aid. Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that requires proper treatment and skincare. It’s essential to consult a board-certified dermatologist if you don’t see improvement from your skincare routine or over-the-counter remedies. Some forms of acne may require serious medications, including antibiotics or high doses of vitamin A for severe cases.

Tips for Choosing and Using Pimple Patches
Since pimple patches contain various ingredients and may affect people differently, a personalized approach is critical. Here are some tips for choosing, using, and eliminating (if necessary) pimple patches from your skincare routine:

Choose patches that meet your personal needs: Pimple patches come in many shapes, sizes, and colors and have distinct ingredients. If you have a very inflamed, swollen blemish, look for pimple patches that contain active ingredients designed to treat the blemish as well as calm redness and inflammation. Salicylic acid helps clear out the pores while ingredients like niacinamide, cica, and aloe can help calm the skin.

Consider texture: Beyond ingredients, texture can play a role in the type of pimple patch that works best for you. There are pimple patches with microneedles as well as smooth textures. Microneedle-style patches are recommended for big, noticeable pimples, as they tend to be formulated with active ingredients, and those little “needles” can help deliver the actives more deeply into the skin.

Use as directed: Pimple patches are designed to soothe and heal the skin, but a surefire way to notice the opposite effect is to keep them on too long. Don’t wear patches with active ingredients, such as AHA/BHA or benzoyl peroxide, for longer than the recommended duration. These active ingredients can irritate dry or sensitive skin.

Engage in risk reduction and know when to stop: Pimple patches aren’t for everyone. If you are allergic to adhesives like those used in eyelash glue or bandages, you may not be able to use pimple patches safely. Do a patch test first. If you’ve already used the patch and it’s caused a negative reaction—usually a welt in the shape and size of the patch—discontinue use immediately.

Conclusion
Pimple patches can be a useful addition to your skincare routine, especially if you tend to pick at your skin. They offer a convenient and often effective way to speed up the healing process for certain types of pimples. However, they should not replace your usual acne treatments and are best used as a complementary aid. Always consult with a dermatologist for persistent or severe acne issues to find the best treatment plan for your skin type.