r/SkincareAddiction • u/TchaikTheGoat • 1d ago
Acne [Acne] Pimple patch ripped my pimple out
So this morning I had a really nasty pus filled pimple on my forehead, so I put on a pimple patch. I waited for 7 hours before taking it off, and when I did, it ripped the pimple off. The pimple patch didn't get rid of any pus, instead it left a hole on my forehead (with a bit of blood) am I doing something wrong here? If so what should I do in the future to get it rid of pimples. I put on another pimple patch for the meantime, hopefully the hole disappears.
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u/Open_Fee377 1d ago
This is normal with really large ones, it basically popped it for you without causing any skin trauma (no squeezing or picking). Definitely apply any medication you use and then put another one on until it’s flattened more or not bleeding to give it an environment to heal. The hole will definitely disappear in a few days.
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u/LivingReality2984 1d ago
When you take it off and it has puss coming out would you still pop?
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u/Open_Fee377 1d ago
No, you can take a q-tip and clear off any openly oozing pus and wash your face normally though. Then put another on when you finish your skin-care routine.
I personally never ever pop or pick at acne though. I rarely will use a diabetic needle to lightly prick a hole in the top of a white-head before I place a sticker on to help it drain easier but no tools, squeezing, touching, popping besides that.
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u/fennecfoxxy 1d ago
Out of interest do you sterilise the needle or is it a disposable one?
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u/Open_Fee377 1d ago
Theyre disposable needles used for finger sticks for blood glucose monitoring. You can get packs for like $4
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u/Val_kyria 1d ago
If it's ripping skin off to the point of bloodyness, there is definitely skin trauma...
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u/Open_Fee377 1d ago
Yes and no. Many times underneath the white head itself there is a blood supply and the sloughing off of that whitehead (if large enough) can reveal a tiny dot of blood. Technically anytime they fall off or get rubbed off there is “trauma” but not like popping or applying pressure or picking creates, which puts pressure on the surrounding skin and drives infection in further or compromises the pore itself.
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u/Bubbly_Midnightt 1d ago
Happens to me too just keep the patch on until it’s healed. The patch will help it heal up faster
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u/kittenherder93 1d ago
This happens when the pimple is close to the surface it can come out in one piece, which is ideal there’s no piece of it left behind. Just treat the spot, and keep it covered with a new patch and it’ll heal up quickly!
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u/lizaanna 1d ago
OP’s situation is literally the most ideal outcome! Zit stickers don’t make the pimple go away with magic, this is what it’s supposed to do
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u/TchaikTheGoat 1d ago
what should I treat it with ? I have no experience with skincare
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u/thelonetiel 1d ago
Wash with soap and water (you can wash your full face at the same time), dry, and add a new patch.
Patches work best when there's a path for the seepage to the bandage - so a closed pimple is protected by the patch from your fingers and other things, but it won't really drain.
I have a system with insulin needles that can work, but if you are new to skin care, keep it simple! The hydrocolloid patches are great on their own.
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u/imabroodybear 1d ago
Oh my god do you extract with the syringe??? I have syringes but this has never occurred to me eek
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u/thelonetiel 1d ago
Haha, no! I just bought a pack of needles so I have an effectively endless supply of clean, sharp needles for popping whiteheads. Single use.
I do squeeze cause I can't resist, but it takes a lot of pressure off if you can break the skin barrier first. I think it's the best way to prep a "ready" pimple for hydrocolloid drainage (IMO).
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u/imabroodybear 1d ago
Holy shit this is an incredible use for the bajillion lancets I have no use for. And of course the needles. Brilliant, genius. Thank you!
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u/gl1ttercake 15h ago
Yep, create the exit wound. I do exactly the same as you, down to using lancets. I'll do it with cystic blemishes too – if you're under strong light you can kind of tell where the head would be if it had one.
One well-aimed stab, alcohol swab for the blood, lancet in the sharps container and hydrocolloid patch on.
And always from the side (horizontal, basically parallel to your face), not vertical like you're trying to put Excalibur back into the stone, because it's super hard to cover an open wound!
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u/Comprehensive-Tea-69 1d ago
Second this advice- wash with soap and water, dry, apply the next patch.
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u/Open_Fee377 1d ago
Formulations for spot treatments. Low % benzoyl peroxide, Dapsone gel, salicylic acid are common agents. I would NOT put a retinoid under a pimple patch.
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u/Individual-Coast-491 1d ago
NP here! It isn’t a good idea to put any antimicrobial (like Neosporin or bacitracin) on your skin. The reason why is bc repeated use can actually cause a skin allergy, resulting in a rash. It’s best to keep the area clean and apply Vaseline or aquaphor, as wounds heal best in a moist environment and less likely to leave a scar.
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u/Storytella2016 Acne, dry, always fighting dehydration 1d ago
When I worked in the hospital, we kept hydrocolloid bandages on until they fell off instead of changing them every shift. If we needed to change a wound more frequently, we’d use medical taps because it doesn’t stick as long. Pimple patches are just small hydrocolloid bandages, so I’d guess that the issue was trying to remove in 7 hours.
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u/SoniCrossX 1d ago
Well, on the package of hydrocolloid patches, it is written to remove/change it every 6-8 hours in the directions so...
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u/graphitinia 1d ago
I always figured the packaging said that to sell more patches. I've definitely left them on longer without negative consequences.
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u/SoniCrossX 1d ago
Because of how they are supposed to work: suck up any fluids like pus or blood.
If it doesn't get dirty, it can stay on longer on the wound but if it's not clean anymore gotta change it
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u/rogi3044 1d ago
This is true. I always assumed that was so it didn’t fill up with pus and then just keep pus sitting trapped against the skin? Maybe affecting other areas surrounding. Idk. Not a med professional LOL
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u/dreamsofaninsomniac 1d ago
On the generic CVS ones I have, it says you can keep them on for several days. It's probably better not to keep taking it on and off. It's not like a regular band-aid since it's supposed to drain wounds. They're also 100% waterproof.
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u/Storytella2016 Acne, dry, always fighting dehydration 1d ago
That’s strange and annoying. I’ve only ever cut out big patches so I didn’t know that was the instruction on pimple patches.
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u/Comprehensive-Tea-69 1d ago
I leave mine on until they start coming up on their own. Usually that’s only half a day bc I’m quite oily but I imagine for others they could stay on quite a bit longer. I don’t see why you’d change it earlier really
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u/Traditional_Ad_1547 1d ago
Whats the brand of patch and have you used them before?
I've had some off brand hydrocolloid bandages do more harm than good. Some pimple patches are better than others, too. For instance, I won't use Peace Out patches since they always seem to leave a mark, or take skin with them.
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u/Due-Cryptographer744 1d ago
I use the Alba Botanicals spot treatment gel and put a pimple patch on top. That usually will get rid of the spot or at the very least, reduce it 80%. Usually after 2 days it is gone completely. I find benzoyl peroxide products way too drying and they also irritate my sensitive skin, so I stick to using things with salicylic acid for spot treating. The Alba one is about $9 and ELF has a roll-on gel spot treatment that is $4. Both I get on Amazon.
You mentioned that you don't know anything about skincare so if you want to start doing something to take care of your skin and get pimples often, you can use a gentle cleaner like Cerave, The Ordinary glycolic acid toner 3 nights a week plus the Cerave moisturizer are all a good place to start. It is best to wear a sunscreen during the day so if you can, consider the AM moisturizer with sunscreen and the PM moisturizer without sunscreen for nighttime. Wash your face and use moisturizer in the morning and do the same at night, adding the glycolic acid toner 3 nights a week. Any more often than that and your skin will get too irritated. If your breakouts are only occasional, you can leave out the glycolic acid and just use a spot treatment when you need it. If you prefer to wash your face in the shower, just leave your cleanser in the shower and put on the moisturizer after your shower.
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u/eatingbits 1d ago
Hydrocolloid patches should be used on popped pimples to collect the pus oozing out
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