How Hydrocolloid Bandages aka Pimple Patches Heal Zits

Hydrocolloid bandages are concerning the closest factor you may get to a vacuum for pimples. And other people throughout TikTok are proving simply that. They’re sticking the gel-textured strips throughout their faces the place they’re experiencing breakouts. Over time, the bandages go from clear to speckled with white spots the place they’ve sucked the nastiness out of your pores and skin. It is concurrently gross and nice. After a few hours, you peel the bandage off to disclose flat, zit-free pores and skin — no dryness included. They’re that efficient.

Usually used to guard blisters, “hydrocolloids are a particular kind of bandages that take in extra fluid, like oil and pus, which may velocity therapeutic time,” says Joshua Zeichner, the director of beauty and medical analysis in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York Metropolis. So the TikTok pimples trick is not simply hype — science is definitely behind it. 

When you aren’t into the thought of mainly making a sheet masks out of hydrocolloid bandages to your entire face, pimple patches are composed of the identical materials — only a bit thinner and generally infused with blemish-busting components, like salicylic acid and tea tree oil. The tiny circles may be positioned proper over your drawback spots in a way more concentrated, low-key method. 

Personally, I like hydrocolloid bandages as a result of they hold me from selecting at my face — a nasty behavior that I am barely ashamed to confess having. Nevertheless, Elizabeth Tanzi, the founder and director of Capital Laser & Pores and skin Care and affiliate medical professor within the division of dermatology on the George Washington College Medical Middle, backs me up on this. In comparison with commonplace spot remedies, “hydrocolloid bandages have the additional benefit of blocking you from selecting the pimple… and that’s a superb factor,” she tells Attract. Why? “Choosing a pimple will increase the irritation and may gradual the therapeutic course of down,” Tanzi provides.

As a result of pimples stickers are clear for a bit, you’ll be able to put on them throughout the day. Attract editors have been recognized to run errands with one or two on their faces. You may also apply make-up over them and never disturb the magical therapeutic course of. Nighttime is the most effective time for the patches, although. They’re sticky sufficient to remain in place regardless of how a lot tossing and turning is had whilst you sleep. While you get up, simply peel them off earlier than washing your face to disclose a clearer complexion. 

Satisfied you want hydrocolloid bandages on standby now? My favourite ones are the Better of Magnificence Award-winning Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Invisible+, in addition to the Cosrx Zits Pimple Grasp Patch. Attract editors have additionally put collectively an in depth checklist of so many extra available on the market in enjoyable shapes and colours. When you favor to go the TikTok route with strips of hydrocolloid bandages, look within the first help aisle of your native drugstore for them or strive Band-Assist’s Hydro Seal.

All merchandise featured on Attract are independently chosen by our editors. Nevertheless, while you purchase one thing by our retail hyperlinks, we might earn an affiliate fee.

Learn extra about fast pimple treatments:

Now, watch Selena Gomez’s 10-minute make-up routine: 

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