When it comes to treating skin conditions like acne, eczema, rosacea, and other inflammatory issues, you can choose from different solutions—from traditional topicals to more innovative approaches. Three treatment options that can work and don’t wipe out your skin microbiome are worth comparing: pimple patches, phage therapy, and custom-compounded prescriptions. Let's explore how these treatments compare, when to use them, and why they might complement each other in your skincare routine.

Hydrocolloid "Pimple" Patches: Quick Fix with Limitations

The Benefits

Hydrocolloid patches, or “pimple patches,” have gained immense popularity as an overnight spot treatment for active breakouts. These small adhesive bandages work by:

• Creating a moist healing environment that absorbs excess fluid, pus, and oil from active blemishes

• Providing a protective barrier that prevents picking and additional bacteria from entering the wound

• Reducing the appearance of pimples by flattening and drawing out the contents

• Offering a quick, visible solution that's widely available without a prescription

"Hydrocolloid patches excel at treating isolated breakouts that have already come to a head," explains Dr. Nathan Brown. "They're perfect for those who are in emergencies when you wake up with an unexpected whitehead before an important event."

The Limitations

However, hydrocolloid patches have significant limitations:

• They only address the symptoms, not the root cause of skin issues

• They work only on active, surface-level blemishes (not preventing future breakouts)

• They're ineffective for cystic acne (which occurs deeper under the skin) and blackheads (which lack the fluid content that patches absorb)

• They're a reactive, not preventative solution

• They don't address the underlying bacterial imbalance causing recurrent skin problems

• Results are temporary and limited to the specific area where the patch is applied

Limited Applications Beyond Acne

Outside of pimples, hydrocolloid patches can be somewhat helpful for small wounds, blisters, or superficial bug bites by creating a protective, moist healing environment. Unfortunately, they cannot help with most other skin concerns, including:

• Rosacea or facial redness

• Eczema or dermatitis

• Psoriasis

• Hyperpigmentation

• Aging concerns

• Blackheads

• Cystic or nodular acne

• General skin texture issues

Phage Therapy: Addressing the Root Cause

The Breakthrough Approach

Phage therapy represents a fundamentally different approach to skin health by targeting the root cause of many skin conditions: microbial imbalance.

How It Works

Parallel’s Custom Active Phage Serums use bacteriophages—microbes that exclusively target specific bacteria—to restore balance to the skin microbiome. Unlike hydrocolloid patches, phages:

• Precisely targets problematic bacteria identified (if you've tested your skin microbiome first)

• Addresses the underlying cause of recurrent skin issues, not just the symptoms

• Works both as a spot treatment for active breakouts and preventatively for long-term skin health

• Treats the entire affected area rather than just isolated spots

• Creates lasting change to the skin's microbial ecosystem

• Can support skin conditions beyond acne, including eczema, rosacea, HS, psoriasis, and even issues like pigmentation and aging

"What makes our approach unique is the personalization," says CEO Natalise Kalea Robinson. "We first identify exactly which problem-causing bacteria are present in your skin through our Skin Discovery Test, then deploy phages that specifically target those problematic strains."

The Limitations

While phage therapy offers a more comprehensive solution, it also has considerations:

• Phages should be used after an initial skin microbiome test to identify the specific bacterial imbalance; if you don’t test first, you may end up using the wrong phage for your skin with no effect

• Timeline for results varies: can work very quickly if perfectly matched to your specific pathogenic bacteria, but may take a few months for more severe, multi-factorial skin issues

• Once your personalized Active Phage Serum is identified, it can be used immediately as an overall face serum or spot treatment; however, the testing process can take 4-6 weeks

• Represents a longer-term investment in skin health

• May be more expensive upfront than over-the-counter patches

Custom Compounded Prescriptions: Targeted Clinical Strength Solutions

The Advanced Approach

Beyond phage therapy, Parallel Health also offers Custom Compounded Prescriptions that deliver clinical-grade ingredients tailored to specific skin conditions.

How It Works

These personalized prescriptions by Parallel:

• Contain high topical dosages of proven clinical actives like tretinoin, niacinamide, azelaic acid, hydroquinone, and more

• Are uniquely formulated to be 50% more bioavailable than standard market options

• Provide 2x more hydration to minimize irritation and support skin barrier function

• Are customized for specific conditions including acne, pigmentation, rosacea, eczema, HS, and others

• Deliver prescription-strength ingredients that address both bacterial and non-bacterial factors

The Benefits

Custom Compounded Prescriptions offer several advantages:

• Clinical-strength ingredients that deliver powerful results

• Formulations optimized for enhanced absorption and effectiveness

• Reduced irritation potential compared to standard prescriptions

• Personalized to address your specific skin concerns

• Medically supervised treatment options

The Limitations

Custom Compounded Prescriptions:

• Require consultation and prescription from your dermatologist or one at Parallel

• May cause initial adjustment periods (particularly with ingredients like tretinoin)

• Represent a higher upfront investment than hydrocolloid patches or other over-the-counter products

• Require consistent, long-term use for best results

When to Use Which Treatment (Or Combination)

Choose Hydrocolloid Patches When:

• You need immediate relief for an active, surface-level pimple with visible fluid or pus

• You're dealing with an isolated breakout rather than chronic issues

• You want to prevent yourself from picking or touching a blemish

• You need a quick fix before a special occasion

• You have whiteheads or pustules (but NOT for cystic acne or blackheads)

Choose Phage Therapy When:

• You're dealing with recurring or chronic skin issues (e.g. acne, eczema, rosacea, etc.)

• You have cystic acne, blackheads, or other forms that don't respond to hydrocolloid patches

• You experience skin concerns beyond just breakouts (such as pigmentation, aging, or inflammatory conditions)

• Over-the-counter solutions have failed to provide lasting results
  

• You want to sustainably and naturally address the root cause, not just symptoms

• You're looking for a treatment that works both as a spot solution and preventative approach

• Traditional treatments have caused sensitivity or irritation and/or you want to avoid antibiotics or Accutane

Choose Custom Compounded Prescriptions When:

• You have moderate to severe skin conditions that require clinical-strength ingredients

• You're dealing with multiple factors contributing to your skin concerns

• Your skin issues have both bacterial and non-bacterial components

• You require targeted treatment for specific concerns like pigmentation or severe inflammatory conditions

• Previous over-the-counter products have delivered insufficient results

• You want a professionally formulated solution with enhanced bioavailability

The Comprehensive Approach

For many people with skin concerns, the ideal strategy may involve a strategic combination of these treatments:

Skin Microbiome Testing + Phage Therapy provides the foundation for addressing bacterial imbalances in the skin microbiome and chronic inflammation, while Custom Compounded Prescriptions target additional factors like cell turnover and oil production. Hydrocolloid patches can offer tactical support for occasional whiteheads that might occur during the treatment process.

For complex or severe cases, Parallel often recommends combining an Active Phage Serum with a Custom Compounded Prescription to:

• Accelerate time to clearance

• Address multiple contributing factors simultaneously

• Provide both immediate symptom relief and long-term microbiome rebalancing

• Create a comprehensive approach for challenging skin conditions

For spot treatments specifically, you can be strategic: use your personalized phages for all types of breakouts, apply your custom compounded prescription consistently as directed, and reserve hydrocolloid patches for those fluid-filled whiteheads where immediate visual improvement is desired.

Think of this multi-faceted approach as both addressing the root causes of your skin concerns while providing practical solutions for day-to-day management. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each approach, you can develop a comprehensive skincare strategy that not only treats current concerns but also builds healthier skin for the future.