Patches are a popular and effective cosmetic product that allows the fair sex to solve a number of skin problems - from small facial wrinkles to dark circles and inflammations. In fact, these are miniature masks based on hydrogel, collagen, silicone or cotton fabric. The base is abundantly saturated with serum with nutrients and vitamins.
Such a compress perfectly moisturizes the skin, improves microcirculation and metabolism, enhances the protective properties of the dermis, has a tightening and smoothing effect. Proper use of the patches will maximize the benefits of this cosmetic product. You can quickly tidy yourself up after a sleepless night, nourish the skin after a long stay in the sun, and relieve inflammation in the problem area.
How to glue?
Most often in the cosmetology market you can find patches for the eyes, however, there are also patches for other areas and local inflammations. To get the desired result, you need to properly apply a compress - its surface should capture problem areas as much as possible.
Depending on the type of patch and area of application, there are some features when using them.
Under the eyes
Hydrogel patches for the skin around the eyes most often have the shape of a petal. If you need to get rid of bags and dark circles, apply the mask with the wide side to the base of the eyelid, if you are worried about the "crow's feet" - the narrow side to the base of the eyelid, while the wide edge should be slightly pulled up to capture the entire problem area. At the beginning, the patches will slide over the skin and constantly slide, so for the first few minutes, try to assume a lying position on your back.After a while, part of the essence will be absorbed, and the patches will hold perfectly in any position.
Silicone patches are most often intended to protect the skin of the eyelids when staining eyelashes. They do not moisturize the skin, but only protect it from negative chemical effects. They should be glued in such a way as to completely close the lower eyelid - as close as possible to the base of the lower eyelashes. Some of them have a sticky layer, from which before use it is necessary to remove the protective film.
Collagen patches should be applied according to the same principle as hydrogel patches.. The only difference is that they can be used repeatedly (from 3 to 5 times). Therefore, after using the patches, it is necessary to rinse with clean running water and put back into the container with the essence.
Fabric mini masks for the skin of the eyelids are circles with a slit for the eyes, richly soaked in serum. The mask should be worn carefully: slightly cover the eye and pass through the cut of the eyelashes, then smooth the surface of the fabric evenly. Despite the special hole, keeping your eyes open in them is somewhat uncomfortable, so it’s better to make such masks when lying with your eyes closed.
Their advantage is that they cover not only the area under the eyes, but also the lower and upper eyelids.
Whole face
Typically, tissue and hydrogel face masks have openings for the eyes, nose, and mouth, as well as side slots that can be used to adjust the position of the nourishing compress. To put on the mask on your face, remove it from its packaging and straighten it. Lightly attach it to your face and align the slots. Gently smooth over the surface of the face, slide or pull where necessary.
When using such masks try to avoid contact with the eye area, since the skin of the eyelids is very thin and delicate, it requires special care, and the serum with which the face mask is impregnated is not designed for this.
On the forehead
For the forehead, there are special masks that completely cover the frontal region and partially capture the nose bridge region. They are of two types - hydrogel and tissue. It is very simple to apply them: straighten the mask and attach it to the forehead so that the nose bridge is in place.
Sometimes cutting patches for the eyes involves a special thin strip that can be applied directly to the wrinkle area.
To problem areas
For problem areas, you can use ordinary eye patches - to save them, you can cut them into several parts. Sometimes cutting involves, in addition to the main patches, additional miniature circles, which are very convenient to use just to eliminate local inflammation. If a pimple jumped on the face, it must be slightly dried using a special product with salicylic acid or zinc. Only after that you can apply a nourishing compress that moisturizes the skin and relieves inflammation.
On the chin and neck
You can also use eye patches for the chin. Depending on the area of the problem area, you can use one compress or two at once, folding them in a circle similar to how they are located in a jar. It is very convenient to put fabric mini masks for the eyes on the chin. At the same time, a crease should be made in the area of the hole to cover it.
There are special patches for the neck, which are most often sold in single-use packaging. It can be a mask in the form of a wide strip, in which one side is hydrogel and the other is fabric. Apply such a mask with the hydrogel side. There are also completely hydrogel masks for the neck in the form of wings.
Such masks should be applied with the base of the wings in the center of the neck, so that each wing as if hugs the neck on its side.
On the nasolabial folds and corners of the mouth
For nasolabial folds, patches designed for the eyes are drop-shaped.Position them so that the narrow part lies approximately in the middle of the nose, and the wide one - on the lower part of the cheek closer to the lips. If necessary, you can also capture the corners of your mouth.
For the corners of the mouth, you can use hydrogel patches for the lips. As a rule, in addition to the lips, they cover a fairly wide area: the corners of the lips, and even part of the nasolabial folds.
When and which side to stick?
You can apply patches in the morning or in the evening. To remove swelling after sleep, use patches in the morning. For this, hydrogel or collagen patches for the eyes or forehead (or together) are better suited, since you can walk with them, drink coffee and do the necessary things. Thin patches hold better and will not slip. To nourish your skin and relieve fatigue, apply patches at night. Before going to bed, it is best to use fabric masks for the eyes, neck and face. Patches for local inflammation can be used at any time of the day, as soon as a pimple or peeling has appeared. After severe stress or tears, you can also use the help of mini-masks for the eyes. They will help to quickly remove swelling and redness of the eyelids.
Do not use patches on damaged skin, especially with an open wound, as this can lead to irritation and a burning sensation.. Before applying patches, cleanse your skin with a cleanser. This is best done after a bath or shower. If you apply patches before bedtime, you can use them as the final step in skin care. For morning use, some time after removing the patches, you can additionally apply a cream. You can stick patches on either side. To remove the compress from the jar, use a special spatula or tweezers. So you will avoid getting germs in your serum.
Keep any nutritious patches and masks better in the refrigerator. The cooling effect enhances the anti-aging and tonic effect of the active components.
How much can you wear?
Hydrogel and collagen patches should not be worn for more than 20 minutes. As they dry, they begin to absorb moisture back from the skin. Fabric masks can be held for about 30 minutes. If you apply patches at night, try not to fall asleep with them. Otherwise, the next morning you will find the opposite effect - dried patches begin to actively draw nutrients from the skin. If you don’t have time in the morning, you can apply patches for at least 10 minutes - this is the minimum period necessary to saturate the skin with moisture and vitamins.
Regular use of patches for different areas helps modern women to solve a lot of problems at home without the help of a cosmetologist. By learning to use them correctly, you will gain affordable and effective tool to maintain the natural beauty and youth of the skin.
See how to patch properly in the next video.
