Skin Care

Here's Why You Should Be Putting Acne Stickers on Your Next Big Pimple

The latest way to zap zits is sups effective

by Melanie Rud Chadwick | COMMENT

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Acne spot treatments are so last year. The current blemish-busting craze? Stick-on acne dots, which typically fall into one of two camps, says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. Many of these acne stickers are essentially hydrocolloid bandages -- adhesive, gel-based dressings that absorb excess fluid (in this case, pus and oil) while also keeping the skin hydrated. "Hydrocolloid bandages have long been used to promote wound healing, and they have a similar effect on pimples, reducing inflammation, swelling, and speeding the healing process," explains Zeichner.

Other acne stickers contain active ingredients -- most commonly salicylic acid -- which are slowly yet constantly delivered into the skin. "Because the sticker is completely covering the skin, both penetration and efficacy of these ingredients is improved," notes Zeichner. Plus, in both cases, sporting any kind of sticker deters you from poking or picking at the pimple, a majorly important factor for speedy healing, he adds.

While this zit-zapping M.O. is choice for the occasional pimple that pops up (rather than, say, chronic acne or blackheads), Zeichner says acne stickers can be extremely effective and deliver significant results as fast as overnight. Hydrocolloid dots have no real downside, though those infused with acne-fighters can potentially cause some irritation, so avoid layering any other topical treatment underneath either kind of sticker. Ahead, nine worth trying the next time you need to stick it to a pesky pimple.

Image via Getty

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