Should I Pop My Zits Before Wearing Pimple Stickers?

There’s no getting around the fact that when an unexpected zit or two appears, pimple stickers can be a real lifesaver. Both brightening patches and hydrocolloid stickers can be exceptionally effective in minimizing the impact that breakouts can have on your confidence.

The question that often gets asked about these products is whether zits should be popped before they’re applied. SPOILER ALERT: No, you shouldn’t! In this article, we look at why you should never do so, regardless of how bad your breakouts are.

So, What Are Pimple Stickers Exactly?

Essentially, pimple stickers come in two main forms; hydrocolloid patches designed to protect zits and draw out impurities, and brightening patches which are able to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation caused by breakouts.

Unlike traditional hydrocolloid patches that simply absorb fluids, brightening patches are infused with active ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, and salicylic acid. These ingredients help not only to calm inflammation but also to brighten the skin around the pimple, reducing the risk of dark spots and discoloration once the pimple heals.

Why Shouldn’t You Pop the Zit Before Application?

Dermatologists recommend avoiding pimple-popping altogether, as squeezing or picking at a zit can increase the risk of infection, spread bacteria, and lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation. Of course, there may be situations in which popping a zit may feel tempting, especially if it’s a large whitehead. But here’s why you should consider resisting the urge.

Increased Risk of Scarring and Dark Spots: Popping a zit will almost certainly disrupt the skin’s natural healing process, making scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation much more likely. Brightening patches are designed to prevent these issues, so leaving the zit intact actually allows the patch to work better.

The Patch May Be Less Effective: When you pop a zit, the surrounding skin becomes more vulnerable and is harder to seal with a pimple patch. Patches of all types work best when applied to an intact surface, as they can adhere better, seal off the pimple from bacteria, and deliver active ingredients directly to the area.

Potential to Avoid Infection: When you pop a pimple, it’s very difficult not to introduce more bacteria, which then increases the risk of infection. Pimple patches are designed to create a barrier that keeps bacteria out, so they work best when the skin is unbroken.

Let Your Pimple Stickers Take Care Of Your Zits

Most everyone has felt the urge to pop a pimple at some point in their lives, but there are a ton of reasons why you should resist doing so. That’s because the risk of infection and spreading the problem is far more likely. So, the best thing to do is let your pimple patches deal with them instead.

These patches are formulated to work best on unbroken skin, where they can deliver their active ingredients directly to the problem area. By not popping your zits, you’ll be giving the patch the best chance to do its job and you’ll be able to get on with your day.