Pimples always know exactly the right moment to make an appearance, don’t they? That night out you’ve been planning for ages. Tick. Big job interview. Even bigger tick. First date with the person of your dreams. A tick even bigger than the giant pimple itself!
We’ve all been there. And while having a pimple doesn’t stop you from living your best life, there’s no denying that acne can affect your confidence. That’s why our experts came up with Hero Mighty Patches. But what is the science behind them—and why should you invest in a pack rather than just picking and squeezing your pimples instead?
Luckily, we are here to explain—starting with what hydrocolloid (the main ingredient of Hero Mighty Patches) is - and why it’s such good news for your skin!
What are hydrocolloid patches and why are they so great?
Hydrocolloid patches are essentially moisture-retentive and fluid-absorbing dressings —they absorb exudate (pus or oil and sebum) from spots to form a hydrated gel over the wound.
This creates a moist environment that promotes healing and protects the skin at the same time, which is key for preventing scarring and speeding up healing time!
Basically, it’s great for people who pick at their spots because it’s going to stop them from doing exactly that!
And don’t worry when the hydrocolloid patch turns white, as that’s what’s supposed to happen as it absorbs the gunk. Some might argue that’s the best bit, apart from getting rid of your pimple, of course!
Will hydrocolloid patches work on all spots and pimples?
If you’re dealing with a red, angry or oozing spot—or one that’s already been picked—hydrocolloid patches are great, but that they might not do much if you’re dealing with a deep cyst under the surface of your skin or closed comedones, also known as whiteheads.
When should I use Mighty Patches?
Hero Mighty Patches absorb gunk from your spot or pimple in 6 to 8 hours, and can be used with other acne treatments. The Mighty Patch Original are best suited to be worn overnight.
Hydrocolloid patches can also be worn under make-up, so are fine to be used in the daytime (or on a night out). For that, you’ll need the Mighty Patch Invisible.
Always applying Hero Mighty Patches to clean, dry skin so they adhere properly to the spot. Recommending applying a patch and then applying make-up on top, not applying make-up and then putting the patch on.
If applying skincare, I wait about half an hour after applying before sticking them on. I always find that the less residue you have on your skin, the better they adhere and stay put.
Why can’t I just pick or squeeze my spots?
Picking spots can lead to swelling and redness, while squeezing can also lead to scabs and might leave you with permanent pits or scars—and an open wound can also put you at risk of skin infections.
Squeezing spots can feel very gratifying but it really can lead to scarring, infection, and you can make the spot worse. It is better to let it heal in a moist environment, like under a Hero Mighty Patch.
The good news is that, even if you’ve already given into temptation and popped your pimple, you can still use a hydrocolloid patch to help the wound heal as they’ve been used in medical settings for years.
But I’ve seen lots of pimple-popping videos on social media?
Yes, social media loves a pimple pop. But, as we all know, a lot of what we find on social media isn’t exactly rooted in science – and popping your pimples is definitely something to avoid if you can.
The growing obsession for watching pimple-popping videos is all about releasing dopamine—the feel-good hormone. Watching these videos can stimulate a range of emotions and sensations in people, and brings a cathartic rush of satisfaction.
Although, recently, videos of people peeling off their pimple patches with gunk and pus on have been very popular too! People are starting to respect the skin barrier, so hopefully videos of removing spot stickers will become even more of a trend!
So, why should I choose Hero Mighty Patches?
We think Hero Mighty Patches are the best patches you can get. But we think they are. And they’re not the bestselling medical grade mighty patch in the USA for no reason.
The Hero Mighty Patch is available in different sizes, and is also available as an ‘invisible’ patch for daytime use, which can easily be camouflaged with make-up.
Our pimple patches are also made just to be pimple patches, not cut down to size from larger dressings and, because they don’t contain any active ingredients, they’re suitable for use on even the most sensitive skin types. Helping to heal those pesky pimples and protecting your skin, day and night.