The Ultimate Guide to Pimple Patches

October 8, 2021

Picture day is only 24-hours away and your middle-schooler is completely freaking out – there could not be a worse time for fresh zits to arrive. Before you join the pity party, there is a solution that will ease anxiety, calm redness, and extinguish pimples stat. Pimple patches are an overnight remedy that will get your tween’s skin photo-ready by morning.

We know how it feels – when pimples pop up it can seem like people are staring at the craters and bumps on your face. Though it can feel isolating, your tweens and teens are not alone. You probably remember getting pimples throughout your growing years too. That’s because acne is the most common skin condition in the United States and affects up to 85 percent of adolescents and young adults.^[¹^]

Pimples don’t discriminate between sexes either, especially during puberty. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology, researchers found that out of 713 adolescent patients with acne, 378 were female and 335 were male – that’s pretty darn close.^[²^]Either way, acne during puberty can cause both physical and psychological changes to anyone.

Acne affects your kids’ self-esteem and their body image more than you know. A survey published in 2017 found that teens suffering from acne are self-conscious and less likely to post photos of themselves on social media. Plus, teens report social media causes more anxiety over their acne.^[³^]

While acne was tough when we were kids, it seems to have gotten worse for teens with the presence of social media. Understanding how to treat acne is the first step to clearing it up. Deep breath – you got this! Here’s how to help your kids get through these trying times!

Pimple Patches, Acne Dots, Zit Stickers – What Is This Latest Anti-Blemish Spot Treatment?

Please don’t tell your kids to put toothpaste on their pimples – this myth has got to go. Stickers however are the latest zit remedy that works. Pimple patches, or zit stickers, are small stickers that you put over a pimple to treat it and help it go away. What started as using long-existing hydrocolloid bandages as a safe and effective way to spot treat pimples has developed into what we now call pimple patches.

The biggest difference between your average hydrocolloid bandage and pimple patches is that pimple stickers contain active pimple fighting ingredients like tea tree oil and salicylic acid, while hydrocolloid bandages are simply pieces of a hydrophilic material that attracts water, and thus extracts dirt and debris from pores. While hydrocolloid patches do appear to work, the power of acne patches on healing breakouts is just better.

There are countless varieties of pimple patches available today that differ in their makeup, active ingredients, size and shape, and also how deep they permeate the skin to deliver acne-fighting ingredients. Since they’re almost invisible, they can be worn day or night, and even beneath makeup if desired.

Pimple patches primary job is to speed up the clearing of the pimple and prevent further damage by providing a barrier to keep out dirt and bacteria. The plus side is with a sticker over the pimple, your teen is less likely to pick at it. And since picking and popping pimples only make them worse, this is a win in itself.

What Makes Pimple Patches Really Work?

There are two types of patches – medicated and non-medicated. Non-medicated patches are those that solely use hydrocolloid technology. The hydrocolloid material and its technology draw out pus and seal it to the bandage so that it can no longer permeate the skin. Some non-medicated patches also contain natural ingredients like tea tree oil and grape seed extract that help nourish the skin and enhance healing.

Medicated pimple patches often contain ingredients including salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide that are known veteran pimple fighters. The addition of medicated ingredients creates a more powerful pimple patch to get rid of the zit faster. Like non-medicated patches, medicated patches may also contain natural ingredients that amplify the healing process as well.

Natural ingredients help in the fight against acne by providing antimicrobial and healing properties that protect and nourish the skin. Tea tree oil has been used as an antiseptic for centuries and is beneficial for acne to draw out impurities. It’s also been shown to have fewer side effects making it ideal for those with sensitive skin.^[⁴^]

Another popular natural ingredient is grape seed extract. Grape seed extract has shown positive effects on wound healing when used topically, due to its powerful antioxidant and antibacterial properties.^[⁵^] If you think of acne as a type of wound, which it is, it would make sense that grape seed extract can lessen the time it takes for a pimple to go away too.

Some pimple patches also tout a microneedling effect – Microdarts – a delivery system that pushes acne-fighting ingredients deeper into the zit to expedite healing. The only challenge is that microdarts, and pimple patches in general, may not penetrate deep enough for painful cystic types of acne that exist deeper in the skin.

Different Acne Patches for Different Types of Acne

Acne is inflammation of the pores due to a buildup of dirt, debris, and bacteria. Increased oil production at puberty and hormonal changes are the most common causes, however, poor hygiene practices and other factors like sweating a lot or picking at your skin may contribute.

You may be more familiar with certain acne over others, but one thing remains clear – all acne types can be a headache. And since there are a handful of acne types – blackheads, whiteheads, nodules/cystic acne, and papules/pustules – treatment should be specific.

Blackheads and whiteheads are considered non-inflammatory acne and respond well to over-the-counter acne treatments. Both blackheads and whiteheads result from a buildup of sebum and dead skin cells clogging the pore. Products containing salicylic acid work well on blackheads and whiteheads as it exfoliates the skin helping to remove dirt and debris from the pores and skins surface. Hydrocolloid pimple patches are ideal for blackheads and whiteheads as they’re great at sucking out the gunk clogging the pores.

Papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts are all considered inflammatory acne. Bacteria are the main culprits in inflammatory acne due to their tendency to cause an infection deep beneath the surface of the skin. This creates a painful red bump or acne spot that can be hard to get rid of. Inflammatory acne may require a more powerful line of defense when it comes to acne-fighting treatments. Acne products containing benzoyl peroxide help reduce redness and calm the skin, and microdarts or acne dot patches containing this ingredient work best.

How to Use Pimple Patches

Pimple patches are best used on clean, dry skin, before your moisturizer, and at the time of day that works for your routine. Ideally, you’ll want to keep them on for at least 6 hours (and not longer than 24 hours) – so overnight may be your best bet. They can be used as a quick spot treatment to heal and reduce pop-up zits, or as a regular part of your routine 2-3 times per week.

Different types of acne require different types of pimple patches. For non-inflammatory acne, a non-medicated patch will work well, while a stronger patch may be ideal for deeper, inflammatory acne. Pimple patches are not a long-term solution. Discuss a more in-depth skincare routine with your dermatologist.

How to Choose the Best Pimple Patches for Kids

Depending upon the type of acne your tweens and teens have will help you determine which pimple patches you purchase. Look for a patch that contains known acne-fighting ingredients (like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid) but that is not going to be harsh or irritating to the skin (like tea tree oil and grape seed extract). Some patches are waterproof or contain a special gel that seals the patch to the skin – this is helpful to keep moisture out and keep the patch on longer to continue to deliver proven acne treatment directly to the pimple.

Encouraging your kids to use pimple patches for their acne over popping and picking is the best way to help them get rid of their pimples fast. The result is fast pimple healing with less inflammation and less chance of scarring due to popping and picking.

Not sure where to start? TBH Kids Pimple Patches were designed specifically for tweens and teens to help control breakouts, reduce swelling and redness, and prevent picking. Grab a pack today and get rid of pimples tomorrow!

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