Can I Use Hydrocolloid
Patches on Herpes?

Hydrocolloid bandages are ALL the rage right now. You may have seen people with stars on their faces wondering what they are doing—they’re rocking hydrocolloid bandages! These little patches offer protection for all kinds of little wounds, including cold sores, genital herpes outbreaks, ingrown hairs, pimples, bug bites, and more. Wisp is getting on the game with Cover Up! Hydrocolloid Bandages, tailored to speed healing of cold sores and safe to use on skin between your legs too. Here’s what you need to know.

What are hydrocolloid patches?

It’s the winter, and nothing says winter like a cold sore flare up. Am I right? Don’t panic, we’ve got just what you need. Our new hydrocolloid bandages are the perfect cold sore or pimple killer.

Although they feel like magic patches, which they kind of are, we’ll explain the science behind them. They are made of two layers that protect the sore from bacteria which could lead to an infection. The hydrocolloid is made up of various materials that create a gel-like substance which absorbs the secretion coming out of the sore or wound. They are made of three materials:

• Gelatin that comes from a collagen protein which encourages blood clotting to speed up the healing process
  
• Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose which cause the bandage to swell and form a gel around the sore to protect it
  
• Pectin that creates a structure around the wound which allows for tissue to regrow
  

How do hydrocolloid bandages work?

The patches serve to create an environment where the cold sore can heal while being protected from irritation and bacteria. Cold sores often get red and irritated before they get better, so that’s where the patch comes in. Hydrocolloid bandages absorb the fluid from cold sore blisters, which relieves some of the pressure, discomfort, and pain you can often feel when you get a cold sore. And the best part is that they are discreet and serve to conceal your cold sore, to give you that extra boost of confidence. They paid amazingly with prescription antivirals to prevent future outbreaks and promote faster healing. The barrier created by the hydrocolloid patch, prevents bacteria from entering and irritating the sore, and allows for quicker healing. In fact, two separate studies have shown that using hydrocolloid patches on herpes outbreaks results in a healing time comparable to using prescription topical Acyclovir!

Hydrocolloid patches have also been shown to improve scarring, creating a safe environment for your herpes outbreak to heal. Some benefits of the hydrocolloid patch include:

• Controlling and absorbing the fluid that often occurs in herpes outbreaks
• Reducing irritation and redness
• Supporting the creation of collagen and tissue (healing)
• Providing a barrier to keep the sore free of dirt and bacteria

The antibacterial properties of our hydrocolloid patches create for the ultimate cold sore killer. On top of that, they contain the moisture in your skin to keep it moisturized while protecting against irritation. Sounds like a win-win situation to us. Not only are they promoting faster healing and better scaring for your cold sores, but they also conceal them!

How else can I use hydrocolloid bandages?

Of course we can’t forget the other important use for hydrocolloid patches—pimples! You’ll be saying peace out to those annoying white heads in no time. As mentioned above, hydrocolloid patches absorb the secretion of a wound, be it a pimple or a cold sore, allowing for faster and cleaner healing. They can help reduce acne breakouts by keeping bacteria from entering your skin and speeding up the healing process. The patch absorbs the puss, oil or fluid from the pimple by turning into a gel. This gel then creates a moist and clean environment that promotes healing. Not to mention the color and subtle form of the patches means you can walk around with a concealed pimple that will be less angry by the time you get home! You can also use hydrocolloid bandages on ingrown hairs and bug bites. Let the healing begin!

We provide you with one sheet of two kinds of hydrocolloid patches—8 larger cold-sore sized patches and 12 smaller ones for pimples and blemishes. That way, no matter the size of your spot or sore, you’ll be able to heal it and conceal it. These are perfect for on the go, traveling or at home. You can throw them in your purse or keep them in your medicine cabinet. So grab a hydrocolloid patch, pop it on and put your best foot forward!