How 'life-saving' spot patches actually work as expert speaks out

Gone are the days where you'd have to cake on concealer or foundation to cover up a pesky spot.

These days, pimples are practically a fashion statement thanks to spot patches which come in all shapes and sizes, from neon stars and smiley faces to black hearts if you're feeling emo.

If you're not ready to make a feature of them just yet, people are calling these translucent pimple patches 'lifesavers', and at £4.19 they won't break the bank either.

But how do they actually work? Well buckle up, because the truth is pretty gross...

The Dots For Spots pimple patches come in a pack of 24 clear covers, and are made in Korea and considered by many as the holy grail for skincare.

How do spot patches work?

Spot patches usually contain a hydrocolloid, a material which was originally designed for wound care, which works to attract and absorb fluid such as oil, pus, and sebum from the skin.

The sticker also forms a gel over the spot, helping to heal it and reduces inflammation and itching.

Having the physical barrier of a spot patch also helps pimples to heal quicker as they remove the temptation to scratch, squeeze and pick at them (guilty!).

They work best if you leave them in place for more than six hours, preferably wearing one overnight.

After the middle of the patch has turned opaque white, you can peel them off gently and wipe away any residue.

Dr Sina Ghadiri, consultant dermatologist and founder of Sinaesthetics, told Tyla: "Pimple or spot patches are typically made of hydrocolloid material, a gel forming agent and adhesive which draws out excess fluid, pus, and oil from the spot while maintaining a moist environment that promotes healing.

"Some patches are infused with active ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil to help reduce inflammation and help blemishes resolve faster. They also act as a physical barrier, protecting the area from picking and external irritants."

How to use pimple patches

Dr Sina recommends pimple patches for "isolated whiteheads or pustules that have surfaced," adding that the patch size should cover slightly more than the area of lesion.

But a word of caution for anyone wanting to treat deeper, inflamed nodules or cysts: patches will likely be less effective here.

Here are Dr Sina's instructions for getting the most out of them:

1. Start with dry skin after a gentle cleanse. Avoid applying moisturiser or treatment serums directly under the patch, as they can interfere with adhesion.
2. Apply the patch directly to the blemish ideally with clean forceps, and leave it on at least for several hours or ideally overnight.
3. Once removed, gently cleanse the area again if needed. Ideally they are best used before going to sleep, and removed in the morning.

What do customers say?

These Dots for Spots patches have earned more than 40,000 reviews on Amazon, with 67% of them giving 5 stars.

"I get bad hormonal breakouts and I pop one of these dots on and within a few hours the spots are cleaned out and heal well," raved one.

Another called them a 'game-changer', saying: "I highly recommend these to anyone dealing with breakouts. I’ve already told several friends to try them, and I’ll definitely be repurchasing!"

"Use the sticker at that white head stage. Put it on cleansed skin before bed, and watch the miracle peels off in the morning," said one fan, sharing the below picture.

Another fan praised: "I would put more stars if I could. These dots for spots have changed my life. They don't only dampen spots and the redness they eventually get rid of them n by eventually, I mean quick!"

"I hardly write reviews, but this genuinely is the greatest skincare product I have ever used. I had the worst spot of my life & purchased this.

"By the next day, it was totally flat & the day after, practically gone. Similar spots have taken around a month to totally heal before. I can’t recommend this enough & could not believe the results," added another pleased buyer.