In this post I’ll give you my review of how the hydrocolloid acne patch worked for me and how it can work for you.
I tested the latest in overnight acne treatment. I have figured out the type of acne the hydrocolloid acne patch will work on, as well as what it does not work on.
I’ll be sharing all the details below.
Let’s dig in.
Oh joy, the latest in acne treatment now includes little patches perfectly designed to fit your pesky pimples.
When I first saw these hydrocolloid acne treatment dots I was skeptical. I wasn’t sure if it would work, but then I thought, for how inexpensive they are, why not try it.
Despite my skepticism, there were multiple benefits of the acne healing patch. In this post I’ll detail my experience using the Rael Acne Healing Patch, as well as, everything you stand to gain when using them.
So what is a hydrocolloid acne patch and how does it help acne?
A simplified description is that hydrocolloid patches are adhesives that promote wound healing. They adhere to the skin, create a moist environment to promote tissue healing, and absorb wound exudate.
What does this mean for acne? Well, you know how when you pop a zit, sometimes there’s more oozing out of it after? That’s the ‘exudate’ or drainage. I notice when I don’t get everything out of the pimple, it can lead to scabbing, and sometimes, scarring due to picking.
By using the hydrocolloid patch, it acts as a protective layer, while simultaneously drawing out excess oil and pus, and actually promotes the pimple to heal faster.
The beauty behind drawing out the drainage of the pimple is that it will heal flat and not scab or scar. This, in my opinion, was the biggest win.
The type of acne hydrocolloid works on
I’ve tested this patch on a few types of zits. What I’ve figured out is that it will work on anything that has an opening. By that I mean, if your zit has a head, you’d want to pop the zit very carefully, without over-squeezing (I know it’s hard). Then place the hydrocolloid acne patch over it.
TIP: Make sure your skin is clean before applying the patch. I created a handy checklist, download at the bottom of this post, be sure to follow my tips for best results.
The patch needs a clear path to the inside of the wound in order to draw out the inner contents of your pimple. Then, after it’s done it’s thing, when you pull the patch off, your zit will be flat and heal faster.
This means you get to say bye-bye to those pesky, never-ending-drainage zits that seem to never heal.
The type of acne hydrocolloid does not work on
There are a few types of zits the patch won’t work on. Specifically, deep, under the skin types, newly formed, or cystic acne. These don’t have a clear opening, the inside of the pimple cannot be drawn out. Don’t try to poke your zit, that will just cause more potential for scarring. No bueno.
Until your pimple has a clear head to create an opening, leave the sleeping giant be, and use ice to reduce the inflammation.
How long to leave them on
The package says 4-8 hours. I like to leave them on overnight. I just like to make sure everything that can be drawn out from my zit, is completely out. Like, I don’t want to pull it off after 4 hours for a half-ass job. Get that crap out of my skin, and let’s move on to the healing process.
That leads me to the next point…
Post patch effects
After you pull off the patch, your skin may be a little red. This goes away!
These little patches were hard at work, doing their job extracting nasty stuff from your pore. The patch acts like a scab itself (a protective layer). So when you think of any scab you’ve ever had, if you pulled off your scab a little too early, you’d notice your skin is more red.
This is the same concept. It fades in a few days. Get a little concealer for your post patch area, I love Tarte Shape Tape. And your skin will do the rest in time.
Benefits
- Almost invisible
- No scarring
- No scabbing
- No oozy pimples to pick at
- Covers the zit so you don’t pick (preventing scarring)
- Doesn’t rub off on a pillow when you sleep overnight
Before and after pictures using the Rael hydrocolloid acne patch
I created a handy checklist for you to ensure you get the best results. DO NOT SKIP STEPS. I cannot guarantee the same results of course, however, when I skipped steps in this checklist, my results weren’t as good.
