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Acne patches have become extremely popular in North America in recent years, and the popularity has spread around the world. What do you know about acne patches? What kinds of acne patches are there? Do acne patches really work? How can acne patches help you treat acne? What types of acne are good candidates for acne patches? This article will show you how to use acne patches.
In medical regulations, acne patches are classified as hydrophilic wound covering materials in the category of “general and plastic surgery” medical devices. Acne patches are mainly invented for acne, so they are cut smaller. In addition, some people expect a concealing effect, so the color is designed to be closer to skin color or transparent.
Acne patches are divided into two types according to their ingredients: medicated acne patches and non-medicated acne patches.
Medicated acne patches will add anti-acne ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which can achieve the effect of treating abnormal keratinization and inhibiting bacteria! In addition, the antibacterial ingredient “hexamethylene diacetate chlorpyrifos” is sometimes used. Non-medicated acne patches simply absorb tissue fluid and isolate external contaminants.
Can acne patches really remove acne? The answer is yes.
Scientists from Taiwan, China once conducted a study using a certain brand of acne patches and regular patches. They recruited 20 patients with mild to moderate acne and used acne patches (or regular patches) once every two days for up to a week. The results showed that the severity and inflammation of acne were significantly improved in those who continued to use acne patches, especially those who used them for 3 to 7 days, and the improvement effect was much better than those who used ordinary patches.
In addition, researchers also found that acne patches can improve redness, oiliness, and pigmentation to a certain extent. As for safety, researchers also made observations and found no special side effects.
So how do acne patches help us fight acne? The main principles are as follows:
1. Absorption of hydrophilic hydrocolloid: Acne patches contain a special hydrophilic hydrocolloid material. This material can absorb a large amount of water and oil secretion. When it comes into contact with acne on the skin, it quickly absorbs the pus and secretions in it. This process not only helps to reduce the inflammatory response, but also accelerates the healing process of the skin.
2. Softening the stratum corneum: In order to promote better penetration of drug ingredients into the deep layers of the skin and play a role, some ingredients that can soften the stratum corneum are usually added when designing acne patches. This not only helps the effective delivery and absorption of drug ingredients, but also promotes the natural renewal process of the skin.
3. Create a sealed environment: After applying the acne patch, a relatively sealed environment is formed on the affected area. This can effectively isolate the invasion of external bacteria and reduce the irritation and damage to the skin caused by external pollution. In addition, it also avoids the damage of ultraviolet rays to the skin to a certain extent.
4. Reduce pigmentation: Since the chance of external stimulation and ultraviolet radiation is reduced, the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation is also reduced to some extent. This has a positive effect on preventing the formation of acne scars.
So what kind of acne should be treated with acne patches?
If it is papular or cystic acne, there is no open wound, so naturally there is no tissue fluid to absorb. Applying acne patches will only make the acne worse, making the skin less aerated, which can have a negative effect on the treatment of acne.
In the case of pustular acne, it is only appropriate to use them when the pustule breaks, leaving an open wound, and it is important to ensure that the wound is clean. If the wound is already infected, applying acne patches will only trap the bacteria.
If the acne is simple pustular acne, there is no serious infection, and the wound has been cleaned with saline or tap water, it is more appropriate to use acne patches.
