What To Do After Removing Pimple Patch – Steps To Follow
Pimple patches are an effective short-term treatment that flattens the appearance of acne while removing pus from bothersome pustules. But do you know what to do after removing pimple patch? I have prepared a detailed after-care guide to assist you in maximizing your outcomes. Let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
How Long Should You Leave The Patches On?
What Is A Pimple Patch?
Pimple Patch
If you are looking for a way on how to treat boil pimple on face, pimple patches might be the solution to your skin problem. They are tiny stickers composed of hydrocolloid dressing with a long history of usage in wound treatment due to its exceptional capacity to absorb fluids. They create a protective coating over pimples, keeping the area clean.
Thanks to these patches, you can avoid popping or picking pimples, which may damage your skin by increasing the chance of infection and leaving permanent scars. Touching and popping pimples is a bad habit that many, including me, have. So these items are like a reminder to prevent us from this.
Moreover, the pimple patches help keep the area hydrated, speeding up the healing process as they absorb more wound fluids.
How Long Should You Leave It On?
How Long Should You Leave It On?
It is recommended to leave a pimple patch for 8 to 12 hours or overnight. Once you see that your patch has elevated or become milky opaque, remove it. Depending on how much liquid is present, certain pimple patch products can be worn for days; however, it’s usually advised to remove or replace your patch every day.
Eventually, a patch can only hold a certain amount of fluid. Suppose a patch is left on for an extended amount of time, especially one that contains specialized medication; your skin may get irritated. Therefore, it would be best to verify the suggested usage time by checking the box or consulting your dermatologist.
Personally, I often apply pimple patches overnight and remove them the next morning. This way, I won’t be tempted to pick or touch them and give them enough time to do their job.
But there was one time when I forgot about it; I was in a rush and had to put my makeup on it. After 15 hours wearing the patch, the treated zone became dry and flaky the following day.
What To Do After Removing Pimple Patch
Cleanse The Skin
Cleanse The Skin
Even after you remove your pimple patch, this area may still be susceptible to reinfection. To get rid of bacteria, wash your face with a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type. Avoid using soap to clean the face since it could be stripped of its natural oils, leaving it feeling tight and dry.
Rinse your face with warm water, being careful to remove any remaining cleanser residue. Dry your face with a clean cloth. Again, when drying your face, do not rub too harshly because doing so might irritate your skin and promote wrinkle development.
Exfoliate
By removing the dead skin, you can encourage skin regeneration and reduce the likelihood of scarring. After using the exfoliate product, your skin will feel refreshed, which will remove dead skin cells and lessen hyperpigmentation.
After you wash your face, gently exfoliate the afflicted area using a physical or chemical exfoliant. If you use a scrub, be sure it doesn’t contain big exfoliants such as microbeads or nut shells.
These can produce microtears in your skin, exacerbating an existing wound or leading to new ones. Chemical exfoliators are frequently preferred as they bring better penetrating ability.
Keep in mind to be especially gentle in the area where your pimple is still healing. Exfoliating at night (before going to bed) is the best way to keep your skin looking dewy all day.
I employ gentle circular strokes to apply the chemical exfoliator to the face when the pimples already heal. If not, the scrub is my go-to option since the chemical exfoliator can irritate my wound, leaving an unpleasant tingling and burning feeling on the face.
Moisturize
Moisturize Your Skin
Once your face has been thoroughly cleaned, moisturize the skin with a mild, unassuming product. This step will provide more moisture to your skin as the pimple patches completely absorb the pimple’s pus and liquids, resulting in skin dehydration.
Daily moisturizing can lower the possibility of experiencing excessive oiliness or dryness. These damage your skin and are often the root of skin problems like acne.
Plus, daily moisturizing helps keep those contaminants from entering your pores and fills them with the required water. By doing this, you can keep your skin healthier and lower your risk of being affected by the daily toxins that are floating around in the air.
In my experience, moisturizing is one of the most crucial steps in taking care of post-acne skin care. I often choose moisturizer in gel form instead of cream since it can penetrate the skin better and eliminate the greasy feeling on the skin.
If you are still confused about the application steps, check out this guide on whether you should put moisturizer before or after pimple patches.
Apply Another Pimple Patch If Needed
It is completely normal if one pimple patch doesn’t suck out all of the pimple fluid. Suppose you notice any residual fluid in the zit or don’t want to put concealer or other makeup products straight on the delicate area; put on another pimple patch.
To speed up the healing process, dab a bit of antibiotic ointment before applying another pimple patch. Utilize patches till pus is no longer visible. You can then resume your regular activities after that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pimple Patches Heal The Skin After Popping Pimple?
The short answer is yes. A pimple’s extra fluids, including oil or pus, are absorbed by a pimple patch. Doing this prevents the microorganisms from your fingers’ dirt, oil, or pus from getting onto your skin. Plus, these patches collect surplus wound fluids and produce a moist environment that aids healing.
Will The Patches Cause Scars?
No. While preventing bacteria or other debris from entering the wound region, the pimple patches offer a way to absorb extra fluid from the wound. A lot more wounds are likely to heal with little to no scarring when these patches are used.
These patches also have the additional advantage of keeping you from picking the pimple. This is beneficial because picking an acne spot lengthens the healing process, prolongs inflammation, and raises the risk of discoloration, scarring, and even infection.
When Should I Stop Applying Pimple Patches?
You should stop using the patches if you notice your skin getting irritated. As the patches do employ a small amount of adhesive to stick to your skin, they could irritate the skin around the lesion if you have an allergy to or are sensitive to adhesive.
Furthermore, some products employ substances to dehydrate zits, like tea tree oil or salicylic acid, which can dry out or aggravate skin that is already sensitive.
The Bottom Line
Now you know what to do after removing pimple patch. Although pimple patches may be a good option for some minor skin issues, you shouldn’t count on them as a miracle treatment for all your skin issues. Suppose you use over-the-counter topical remedies on your zit but don’t notice any progress; it might be time to visit your dermatologist.
