How to Use Every Type of Pimple Patch, Step by Step

What are the steps that apply to every type of patch?

These rules apply whether your patch is plain, medicated, microneedle, thin, thick, shaped or large. They come from dermatologist advice quoted by NewBeauty and Business Insider, from ChemMatters, and from standard pack directions. If your pack says something different, follow your pack.

1. 1. CleanWash hands. Gently cleanse the spot.
2. 2. DryPat the skin fully dry. No product underneath.
3. 3. PlaceCover the whole spot. Press lightly from the center out.
4. 4. WaitLeave it alone. Do not lift it to check.
5. 5. RemovePeel slowly when it is white, lifting, or the pack time is up.

1. Check the spot first. Patches suit pimples with a head or an opening. ChemMatters says that if a pimple has no fluid, a hydrocolloid patch will not do much. If the spot is a deep, painful lump, see a dermatologist instead.
2. Wash your hands. Clean hands keep bacteria and oils off the spot and off the adhesive.
3. Cleanse and dry the skin. A dermatologist quoted by NewBeauty says the patch needs freshly cleansed, dry skin to stick. Do not put moisturizer or other product underneath.
4. Cover the whole spot. Choose a patch that covers the pimple with a small border, and avoid covering healthy skin that you do not need to cover.
5. Press from the center out. Lay the patch on and press lightly. Then leave it alone.
6. Use one patch once. ChemMatters says a patch is designed for one-time use because its capacity to absorb is limited.
7. Remove it slowly. Peel from an edge. Do not yank.
8. Stop if your skin reacts. Burning, blisters, swelling or strong itching mean take it off.

Do not pop the pimple first. The American Academy of Dermatology says popping at home can worsen acne, lead to infection and leave marks.

How do you use a plain hydrocolloid patch?

Follow the eight rules above. Then:

• Wear time. Leave it on until it turns white or the edges start to lift, or until the time printed on the pack. NewBeauty's dermatologists say wearing a patch too long can reduce its effectiveness or irritate skin.
• Overnight. Overnight use is fine if you take the patch off in the morning, according to a dermatologist quoted by NewBeauty.
• If it is still draining afterward. You may use a fresh patch. If a new patch comes off clear, the spot has probably stopped draining and does not need another.

1. StartPatch goes on clean, dry, bare skin.
2. When it turns white or the edges liftIt has taken in fluid or is losing grip. Take it off.
3. The time printed on your packThis limit wins over any rule of thumb.
4. Around 10 to 12 hoursGuides mention this as a rough ceiling. Longer wear can irritate skin.

How do you use a medicated patch?

A medicated patch has an added ingredient such as salicylic acid, tea tree oil or benzoyl peroxide. Use the same steps, with extra care:

1. Read the pack for the active ingredient and warnings.
2. Start with one spot. Medicated patches have more chance of stinging or drying, and ChemMatters notes salicylic acid may irritate drier, sensitive skin.
3. Watch the first hour. If your skin burns, itches badly or swells, remove the patch.
4. Do not stack actives without asking. We found no source on using a medicated patch together with a gel or cream containing an active. Ask a pharmacist. See pimple patches vs gels and creams.
5. Avoid an ingredient that has bothered you before. A dermatologist quoted by ChemMatters says to avoid benzoyl peroxide if you have had irritation from it.

How do you use a microneedle patch?

Microneedle patches have tiny dissolving spikes. There is no official guideline, so the pack comes first. In general:

1. Use it on one pimple at a time, on intact skin. Do not use it on broken, burning or irritated skin.
2. Press it on as the directions say, then leave it alone. Do not rub it or press repeatedly.
3. Take it off at the time printed on the pack.
4. Stop if your skin burns, blisters, swells or itches badly.
5. Ask first if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medicines, or have sensitive skin, because ingredients can irritate.

Do not use a microneedle patch as a substitute for seeing a dermatologist about a deep, painful bump. We found no independent evidence that retail microneedle patches treat them. See do microneedle pimple patches work?.

How do you use thin, clear daytime patches?

Use the same steps, and make sure the skin is completely dry, because a thin patch has less to hold on with if it is damp or oily. Business Insider describes these as thinner and less conspicuous than blister bandages.

Wear it for the time on the pack. Because it is thin, it may fill up or lift earlier, so check it at your next break rather than waiting for the end of the day. We have not tested daytime patches under makeup, so we make no claims about how they look or hold up with makeup.

How do you use thick overnight patches?

Put the patch on as the last step before bed, on clean, dry skin. Remove it in the morning, as the dermatologist quoted by NewBeauty advises. If it comes off in the night, do not worry. It is not a sign that anything went wrong with your skin, and you can use a fresh one the next night if the spot still has fluid.

How do you use shaped patches?

Shaped patches such as stars and hearts work like round ones. The only choice is size and placement.

• Pick a size that covers the pimple with a small border.
• Put it on a flat part of the skin where it will not crease. A patch on a curve or fold may lift sooner.
• Do not expect a shape to change what the patch can do.

How do you use large and area patches (cheek, chin, forehead, nose, body)?

Large and area patches are sized for larger spots or for parts of the face and body. Business Insider quotes a dermatologist who recommends cutting a blister bandage down to the size of the pimple and avoiding unaffected skin. The same logic applies:

• Use a large patch only if the spot is large, or only for a small group of surfaced spots close together.
• Do not use a large patch to cover many closed bumps. A patch does little for them. Ask about a treatment plan.
• Press the edges down carefully, because large patches are easier to catch on hair, clothing or a pillow.

If you use a hydrocolloid blister bandage, see hydrocolloid bandages vs pimple patches for how to cut one safely.

How do you remove a pimple patch?

There is no official guideline, so use these cautious steps.

1. Wait until it has turned white, lifted, or reached the pack's wear time.
2. Wash your hands.
3. Hold the skin flat next to the edge with one hand.
4. Peel slowly from one edge with the other, low and parallel to the skin.
5. If it is stuck hard, stop and wait. Do not rip it off. Pulling hard can irritate skin.
6. Wash the area gently and pat it dry.
7. Check the skin. Mild pinkness that fades is different from redness that spreads, blisters, or a rash in the shape of the patch.

1. Is your skin burning, blistering, swelling, or itching badly?

   Yes: Take the patch off. Do not put another on that spot. Ask a pharmacist or doctor.

   No: Go to the next question.

2. Is there mild pinkness that fades soon after removal?

   Yes: This can be mild irritation. Give your skin a break before the next patch.

   No: Go to the next question.

3. Has the redness spread beyond the patch, or does it happen every time?

   Yes: Stop using that product and ask a doctor, who can check whether it is an allergy.

   No: Keep watching, and follow the pack directions.

Why does my patch keep filling up, or stay clear?

• It fills up and turns white. The patch absorbed fluid. That is what hydrocolloid does, according to Dermatology Times. When it is full, it stops absorbing, so take it off.
• It fills up quickly. The spot may be draining a lot. A fresh patch is fine if the spot is still wet, but do not squeeze it to help.
• It stays clear. There is probably no fluid to absorb. That is common with blackheads and deep bumps.
• It will not stick. ChemMatters says a very wet pimple can keep a patch from adhering. Dry the skin well and try a patch that covers the spot with a border.

None of these means something is wrong with your skin. They are clues about the spot.

What mistakes should you avoid?

• Putting a patch over moisturizer or product. The adhesive cannot grip.
• Skipping the dry step.
• Using the wrong patch for the spot. Blackheads and deep bumps do not respond like a draining whitehead.
• Wearing it too long.
• Lifting it to peek.
• Reusing a patch.
• Using several new products at once, so you cannot tell what irritated your skin.
• Relying on patches alone. Dermatology Times says patches are not a substitute for standard acne treatment when acne is ongoing or widespread.

When should you see a dermatologist or pharmacist?

Ask a dermatologist, doctor or pharmacist if you have deep, painful bumps, several at once, acne that is spreading or not improving, scars or dark marks that bother you, signs of infection, or a reaction to a patch. The AAD says that if a deep, painful pimple does not improve with home care, a board-certified dermatologist can help. Healthline notes that a doctor can test for a true adhesive allergy. Swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing, needs urgent medical help. See our medical disclaimer.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a pimple patch on my cheek?

Yes, if the spot suits a patch. Choose a size that covers the pimple, and use a larger or area patch only if you need more coverage. Many spots across the cheek call for advice about a treatment plan.

How often should I change a pimple patch?

Follow the pack. Change it when it is white, lifting, or at the pack's time limit. A new patch is only useful if the spot is still draining.

Can I reuse a patch?

No. ChemMatters says patches are designed for one-time use, because their capacity to absorb is limited.

Can I use a patch with other acne products?

Ask a pharmacist. We found no source on combining patches with active gels. Adhesive also sticks poorly to skin with product on it.

Do I use a different patch for day and night?

You can. Thin, clear patches are made for daytime, and thicker ones are made for sleeping. We found no trial that compares them.

How do I take off a patch that is stuck?

Stop and wait for it to loosen. Peel slowly from an edge. Do not rip it, and ask a pharmacist if you have sensitive skin.

This article is general information, not medical advice. It is written from published sources, and nobody at PimplePatche tested products for it. See how we evaluate.