How does a pimple patch work?
Hydrocolloid patches and microdart patches work differently, according to the specific needs of different blemishes. “Choosing the right patch can make a noticeable difference in how quickly it improves,” says Dr. Aivaz. “Traditional hydrocolloid patches are most effective on whiteheads or pimples that have come to the surface and contain fluid.” The hydrocolloid draws out and absorbs that fluid, while keeping the area sterile.
Meanwhile, microdart patches penetrate the skin’s surface to deliver active ingredients deeper into the skin. These actives frequently include salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, or “pigmentation-reducing ingredients like niacinamide,” according to Diane Hibbard, aesthetician and Chief Treatments Officer at Burke Williams Spa.
Both patch types protect the blemish from the outside environment; that’s why Hibbard says pimple patches are a “preferred choice for those with a tendency to pick, scratch, or pop undesired pimples.”