Pimple patches: How to advise patients on this trendy way to protect blemished skin

Pimple patches, little stickers that can be applied to the skin to eliminate or minimize acne, are all the rage. These patches were first popular in Asia but soon began hitting shelves in the U.S and Canada in 2012. Today, their popularity has skyrocketed: the market for anti-acne dermal patches was valued at US$510.8 million in 2021, and is expected to grow. And it’s not just a useful product—pimple patches have rewired how younger generations think about acne, with cute and colourful brands like Starface selling Party Packs of pimple patches to draw attention to acne rather than hide them. In pharmacies, where pimple patches are sold, pharmacists are sure to get questions about them. Serina Hanlon, a Toronto pharmacist and owner of boutique pharmacy the Pharmacy Lab, says that most people coming in with questions about pimple patches are largely also asking “holistic questions” about skincare. “Like, ‘I’m having a breakout. What can I use to treat it?’” she says. “So conversations with clients stem from there, and pimple patches are a type of product we might recommend.” She adds that clients will sometimes ask how pimple patches work and what active ingredients they contain. Most pimple patches contain hydrocolloid, which draws out moisture, explains Toronto-based dermatologist and lead dermatologist at Canadian Dermatology Centre Dr. Renita Ahluwalia. “We use [hydrocolloid patches] for wound care, and that technology has been extrapolated for use on pimples.” All pimple patches work the same way: they create a protective layer over the blemish to avoid further irritation while also drawing out moisture to help it heal faster. Some brands create patches with medicated ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These are “traditional acne-fighting ingredients,” Dr. Ahluwalia says. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that fights the bacteria in your skin that causes acne and is anti-inflammatory and exfoliating. Benzoyl peroxide, meanwhile, also targets those acne-causing bacteria while also helping with post-pimple pigmentation. Hanlon, whose pharmacy has an esthetician on site who offers facials, says that a lot of clients will ask her and other pharmacists about pimple patches in order to get different perspectives on the product. “We do acne consults to see what products are worth recommending on an individual level,” she explains, adding that she recommends pimple patches to anyone who might be tempted to pick at their spots, as a way to deter that behaviour. While there’s typically no harm in suggesting pimple patches to patients, Dr. Ahluwalia says that there are some considerations. For one, while the hydrocolloid-only patches are fairly harmless, the ones containing active ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide require a bit more caution. “You have to be careful not to overuse them, if they’re delivering that active ingredient for hours over one spot it can cause irritation or redness,” she says. For first-time pimple patch users, she recommends sticking to the basic hydrocolloid patches at the beginning.Dr. Ahluwalia adds that sticking to the instructions is important when using pimple patches: cleaning and drying the skin first, removing it when it becomes cloudy and full of absorbed fluid, and moisturizing the skin after use will ensure good healing and no irritation. Finally, remember that there are limitations to these powerful patches. Dr. Ahluwalia says that they don’t work on blackheads and deeper, cystic acne. Plus, if the skin is too oily, the patch may not stick. “If you’re a pharmacist and you’ve never recommended pimple patches before, you can think of them as similar to wound care from your training,” says Hanlon. “Ultimately, there’s a wound on your face once the skin is open right? So fall back onto your wound care training. Hydrocolloid bandages have existed for a long time, relate [pimple patches] to that.”

Pimple patches: How to advise patients on this trendy way to protect blemished skin

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