The Lowdown on Wellness Patches

Wellness patches are topical adhesives containing vitamins, minerals, or medications that your skin absorbs. Transdermal patches are a form of non-invasive drug delivery and have been around for a long time. Pain-relief patches are popular among athletes, for example, and pimple patches are now skincare staples. With that in mind, wellness brands have created their own patches for those seeking an easy and effective way to take supplements.

How do they work?

When you stick a wellness patch onto your skin, the medicated adhesive releases nutrients into your bloodstream through your epidermal layer. Once the active ingredients enter your bloodstream, they travel through your circulatory system so that your body can use them in various ways just as it would if you had taken an oral supplement. You keep the patch on your skin for the recommended time and simply peel it off when you’re done.

What types of patches are available?

There are many types of patches to choose from depending on how you want to support your well-being. Wellness patches are generally designed to target common health, skincare, and fitness issues:

• boosting energy
• increasing focus
• relaxing muscles
• reducing stress
• decreasing dark undereye circles
• reducing wrinkles

What are they made of?

Since every brand manufactures its own patch, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact materials and ingredients. The basic makeup of a patch consists of the backing, active ingredient, adhesive, and liner. The backing is the outermost layer and protects the rest of the patch. The layer of active ingredients varies widely depending on the patch’s purpose—for example, an energy-boosting patch could contain vitamin B12, green tea extract, and caffeine. Despite all these layers, most wellness patches are exceptionally thin and flexible.

Where do you stick them?

You can stick your wellness patch anywhere on your skin. You’ll want to avoid any area that has a lot of hair or open wounds, ideally placing it on a clean and dry spot. The most common spots to stick a transdermal patch include the back, inside of the elbow or wrist, outer hip, and upper arm. Some companies recommend placing your wellness patch on a veinous area to help with absorption into the bloodstream, but if you know a certain spot on your skin reacts poorly to adhesives, avoid it.

What are the benefits of wellness patches?

There are several reported advantages to using a wellness patch to deliver nutrients. Patch nutrients bypass the digestive tract and liver similar to intravenous medication, but without the use of needles. Not only is this a less invasive approach, but it also means your body won’t metabolize the nutrients before they enter your bloodstream. Patches also allow for a steady release of active ingredients for up to 12 hours or so. Plus, you can take the patch off at any time, which is helpful in case you find you’re sensitive to its ingredients.

What are the disadvantages to using a wellness patch?

Although there are many benefits of wellness patches, there are some drawbacks too. The adhesive could irritate your skin, or your body may not fully absorb all the nutrients depending on your skin’s permeability. Patches may not be as effective as other forms of supplement delivery that have been better researched. Oral supplements may also deliver higher doses than patches.

What does the science say?

Results are mixed. While transdermal patches can help relieve pain and treat other ailments, researchers are skeptical that certain nutrients—such as water-soluble ones like vitamin C—can be effectively absorbed through the skin.. So, although there’s anecdotal evidence suggesting that wellness patches work, more research is needed.

Where can I find wellness patches?

You can purchase wellness patches at health food stores and online. Some patches, like pain medication patches, require a prescription while others are available over the counter. Remember to check with your health care practitioner before using a wellness patch, especially if you take other medications or have any health concerns.

So, what is the future of wellness patches?

In addition to further studies into wellness patches’ effectiveness, researchers continue to improve patch technology overall. This may include finding better ways to help the skin absorb a patch’s nutrients. Researchers are also exploring how wellness patches can work with smart sensors that measure body data. This would open the door to an even more personalized, real-time approach to supplement delivery.