How Do Hydrocolloid Bandages Work for Healing Acne & Minor Wounds

Hydrocolloid patches come in different shapes and sizes to help tackle different types of wounds, from burns and scrapes to acne blemishes.

These products are designed to be more absorbent than other dressings, meaning they help absorb any discharge from uninfected wounds, without drying them out – but allowing them to heal².

• Whatever wound type you're using them for, simply apply the dressing to the wound, sticky-side down, and secure it in place. Most of the dressings will be adhesive and should attach easily⁵. The sticky side will have a slightly gummy texture – this is the hydrocolloid gel³

• While in contact with your skin, the gel in a hydrocolloid patch, like these BAND-AID^® Brand HYDRO SEAL^® Adhesive Bandages, will absorb any drainage from your wound and protect it from any further trauma, such as picking, to help support healing³

The patches then remove all the impurities, resulting in the gel-like substance that sticks to the dressing³. This is what you’ll usually see forming a white bubble in your BAND-AID^® Brand HYDRO SEAL^® adhesive bandages.

How do BAND-AID^® Brand HYDRO SEAL™ Acne Blemish Patches work for acne pimples?

The hydrocolloid gel sucks the pus and fluid from your pimples to reduce the swelling³.

As with any wound, pimples heal fastest when you leave them alone and don't pick or pop them. The same goes for burns and blisters.

However, if you do find yourself absent-mindedly picking or popping your pimples, an acne blemish patch can help to keep it clean and help it heal³.

BAND-AID^® Brand HYDRO SEAL™ products can reduce swelling and get you back to feeling confident.

They:

• Remove impurities & flatten the appearance of pimples overnight

• Are clinically tested to improve the smoothness of popped pimples overnight

• Are clinically tested to improve the look of popped pimples overnight

You can use hydrocolloid bandages and patches for acne blemishes, burns and other wounds.

Using hydrocolloid patches for acne blemishes

Typically, hydrocolloid acne blemish bandages or pimple patches work best for pimples full of fluid ³. For example:

•  Papules –  small, red bumps that are tender to touch¹

•  Pustules –  papules with visible pus at the centre¹

•  Cysts –  painful, pus-filled whiteheads that sit under the skin¹

All you need to do is apply the HYDRO SEAL™ Acne Blemish Patch to clean, dry skin wherever you have a pimple that needs draining. Leave the patch on for 8 hours or overnight. When you’re ready to take the patch off, carefully loosen one end of the patch by stretching it along the skin—don’t pull upwards!

Using hydrocolloid patches for wounds and burns

Hydrocolloid dressings for wounds and burns typically have a backing of either a vapor-permeable film or a thin sheet of foam¹. This backing has a gel-like layer on one side, made of a mixture of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, elastomers, adhesives and gelling agents⁵.

Once the dressing is applied to the injury, the warmth of your skin softens the bandage’s lining. This provides a gel cover⁵ and helps absorb some of the discharge or fluid from the wound⁵.

Once the dressing reaches its capacity, which is called strike-through, you should change your patch⁵. Because strike-through often appears quickly, hydrocolloid dressings are more ideal for:

•  Wounds with low to moderate fluid  coming from them

•  Granular wounds –  these are moist cuts or burns often characterized by red, bumpy skin

•  Minor burns 

Most hydrocolloid dressings come in different shapes and often have an additional adhesive border which can help prevent leakage or stop the dressing sliding on the skin⁵.

Remember, hydrocolloid patches should not be used on infected wounds⁵.

Many mild wounds, burns and pimples can be relieved with the use of hydrocolloid over-the-counter products such as the BAND-AID^®’ Brand range of products. However, for more serious wounds you should seek help from a healthcare professional.

Because hydrocolloid patches absorb drainage from pimples and cover the wound to prevent further trauma, they're also effective at protecting open and active pimples³.

They won't, however, help treat cystic acne and blackheads³. In addition, hydrocolloid patches won’t  prevent  outbreaks of acne blemishes³.

Why do HYDRO SEAL™ Acne Blemish Patches have a white bubble?

Hydrocolloid acne blemish patches work by absorbing the drainage from your pimples³. This then reacts with the gel-like substance of your bandage, forming a white bubble³.

Can a hydrocolloid bandage make acne blemishes worse?

Pimple patches shouldn't worsen your acne and are designed to help heal the blemish³. However, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to seek medical advice first as the adhesives could irritate some people³.

Can I use a hydrocolloid bandage if I’ve already popped my pimple?

While it’s always best to avoid popping a pimple at all, a pimple patch can help if you do³. This is because they’ll absorb the drainage from your burst pimple and help to heal the open wound³.