Do Pimple Patches Work on Whiteheads? What You Should Know

TL;DR: Pimple patches work well on whiteheads because there’s actual fluid under the skin for the patch to draw out, which is the whole point of a hydrocolloid patch. They also stop you squeezing or picking, which is usually what turns a whitehead into a bigger problem.

Whiteheads are the spots most people end up picking at, mostly because they look ready to go. You can see the white center sitting under the skin, and it feels like one squeeze should sort it out. So, when someone asks – Do pimple patches work on whiteheads? – we have to say ‘yes, they absolutely can!’

Rather than just covering up the spot, they actively help to clear it out by drawing out all of the nastiness inside, so that your skin can get on with the job of healing. So, if you ever see someone with one on, you’ll know they’re doing more than just making sure no one can see it.

In this article, we examine how patches like this work on whiteheads, as well as the ideal time to start using them. They exist to help you get over zits quicker, so let’s see how that’s done.

Why Do Pimple Patches Work So Well on Whiteheads?

When you look at a cross-section of a whitehead, you’ll see that it has fluid sitting just under the skin’s surface and this is why hydrocolloid patches represent a good move. Why do pimple patches work so well on whiteheads? Well, it’s because they’re designed to draw this stuff out – with the material inside made to absorb moisture and clean things away while you sleep.

That’s why when you look at a patch you’ve worn overnight, it’s usually going to seem swollen and slightly yellow. It’s a bit gross, sure, but it’s basically just the patch doing exactly what it’s meant to. By the same token, it’s why they’re not as effective with blackheads – because there’s nothing there to be drawn out.

If we’re honest with ourselves, it’s whiteheads that tend to make us mess with them, because they don’t look very nice and we don’t generally want to be seen with one. However, rather than squeezing them and potentially making things much worse, a patch keeps everything contained and stops you picking at things – an action that rarely ends well.

When Should You Use Pimple Patches on Whiteheads?

While a zit patch will always stop you picking, the timing matters when you want to ensure the patch is as effective as it can be. That’s why it’s best to use one on a whitehead that has come through fully, rather than when it’s flat and not easy to see.

Here’s a few other pointers in this regard:

● Use them once the white/yellow center is visible. This is when there’s enough fluid built up for the patch to actually pull something out, rather than just sitting on the skin for no reason.

● Use them if you’ve already picked at it. It’s not too late if a whitehead’s been squeezed or partially popped, because a patch keeps the open skin clean and carries on absorbing whatever’s still coming out while it heals over.

● Use them overnight for the simplest approach. Wash your face, stick a patch over the spot, and let it work while you sleep. It’s why they’re called overnight patches, because that’s the best time.

Instead of looking at pimple patches and expecting one to make your zit disappear by the time you wake up in the morning, try and think of it being about giving your breakout an environment in which it can be drained and allowed to heal without you getting your fingers in and interfering with things.

Squeezing a Whitehead Usually Backfires

Why do people pick whiteheads? It’s usually because there’s something you can see and if you can just get rid of that nasty part, everything will look better, right? You assume that one good squeeze will clear it, but the truth is that’s not all you’re going to end up doing.

The problem is the pressure needed to force it out usually damages the skin around it too. You might get the fluid out, but you’re left with redness, swelling, or even a small wound that takes longer to settle than the whitehead would have on its own.

However, when you know you have some zit patches, you know you’ve got a gentler way to do the same thing, meaning there should be no meaningful urge to do any squeezing at all.

Do Pimple Patches Work On Whiteheads? Yes, They Do!

Whiteheads can be the most tempting type of zit to pick and squeeze, but with a pack of zit patches at your disposal, that urge should never become so strong you act on it. Pimple patches are designed perfectly to gently remove the blockage and create the conditions for healing to take place.

So, if you’re looking in the mirror one day and you see a whitehead, stop before you do any damage and think “I’ve got a patch for that”.