Patch does help heal the cold sore faster. It can be used without covering the lip with lipstick. I just used a lip gloss and the patch was hardly noticeable.

These do work quite well however I wish they could be a little less expensive as I go through a pack almost every time I have a cold sore. I would also suggest not wearing them while eating as this usually just wastes them.

I (unfortunately) had the pleasure of testing this out last week. I say unfortunately because cold sores are gross, let's be honest. When my husband came home with this from the drugstore I was dubious. I have to say that I'm so pleasantly surprised with how well these work. It doesn't cure it over night, but my cold sore outbreak lasted a shorter amount of time (by a few days) and it wasn't as severe as it usually is. Most importantly it was far less noticeable. I will admit I snorted when I first saw the commercial with the model putting her lipstick on top of the patch and meeting a cute guy. But you actually can put lipstick and makeup on this. People in the office were saying they couldn't even see it on my face.

The trick is to re-apply new ones throughout the day (I used 2-3 in a 24 hour period). They start to become more noticeable as the day wears on because they get wrinkled from smiling, chewing, etc.

I also found that my cold sore was less painful that usual. It's not cheap for a package (around $20) and I used the entire thing for my outbreak, but for the embarrassment and the discomfort, I think it's worth it. I will absolutely use these again for my next outbreak.

totally thought it was just a marketing ploy when i saw the commercials. ITS NOT! THEY TOTALLY WORK!!!

I so badly wish i had discovered these sooner!! they totally ease the stress and pain of having a cold sore, im always worried about bumping it or smiling and it cracking or u forget and before you know it your face is bleeding or oozing. these healing patched completely protect the sore, help it heal, ease pain and take almost all the redness away!! Nothing worse than waiting for a slow healing scab to finally disappear! this healing patch practically made that stage non-existent, it keeps it clean and practically unnoticeable! its a dream! the only thing was that it cant breath at all, so during the weeping stage i changed it often. cleaned my cold sore with tea tree oil and hydrogen peroxide and threw another one on. LOVE THESE! ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND

THANK YOU POLYSPORIN!!!!!!! FINALLY SOMETHING THAT WORKS!!! covered up the red blistering coldsores making me much less self conscious, felt immediate relief when using the patch and it made a huge difference after just one use. will be keeping these stocked in my house, would recommend to anyone

I rated the price low because it really is much more expensive than I'd prefer. This product is way more effective than anything I've used before. I feel relief as soon as I put it on. It really works.

Great product. Finally there is something to conceal the 'ugly' phase of the cold sore. After using this product for the first time I was very impressed.This product is meant to be used as soon as possible in order to be most effective-meaning as soon as you feel the tingling/itching.
Pricey product, but I found it to be well worth the money.

I purchased the patches as I'm always worried that I'll forget and touch my cold sore. I am especially worried that I'll rub it in my sleep, especially during the itchy tingly period. So for that alone, I give mega kudos to the patch. I get cold sores in two places, one smaller one on my lip and a larger one below my lip. Thankfully it can be many years between outbreaks and I only get it in one area at a time. This time it was below (not on) the lip, so I put it on and it was a tiny bit wrinkly but not bad at all, a bit of concealer and I was good to go.

I noticed that when I was talking to people that their eyes didn't dip to peak at the glaringly obvious cold sore on my face :-) you cold sore sufferers know exactly what I'm talking about!!! So they didn't see it.

I read what other reviewers said here...thanks for all the great feedback! So I expected to have to change the patch after a few hours. Mine lasted for 3 days and I really could have left it on longer. Based on feedback here I went to change it and was ready for pain when I removed it. I got some hot water and a facecloth and held it against the patch to soften it up. I then gently rubbed the facecloth against the edges of the patch to lift it then pulled down (not away) as instructed, as far as I could without discomfort, then put the warm facecloth against the patch again and repeated this process.. I always made sure the patch, even the parts that had lifted from my skin, was between the facecloth and my cold sore to ensure I didn't aggravate the cold sore. Anyway by using this method and taking my time I didn't feel any pain. I suspect this might also be because I didn't have it on my lip.

BTW Make sure you really wash/sterilize any facecloth you use, or throw it out (my doctors advice for a bad outbreak). Maybe a good paper towel would work.

So after 3 days my cold sore does not look as bad as it has in the past, is smaller than usual, and did not spread to fill the patch like others. I think that's due to the fact that I left it on for days, not hours, but that's much easier to do when not on the lips.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone. I think the price is a bit steep but since I only get outbreaks every few years when I subject my body to the "perfect storm" for a cold sore... Lack of sleep poor nutritional eating a few beers. I know better, but occasionally I forget and pay the price.

Hope this helps you fellow sufferers lol

Ok, so I've read reviews across the Internet before purchasing this product. Like most cold sore sufferers we are always looking for a way to cheat the awful 10-12 day process that just disrupts our lives!

So I purchased them and tried them on an evil little bugger that decided to pop up unannounced in my sleep. I blasted it first with some valtrex but honestly it was beyond antiviral help at that point.

I love these patches. I placed one on and I immediately felt comfort- it took the swelling and tingling pain away immediately. It kept the CS from exploding, it was flat and manageable and I didn't notice any blisters at all it was just an obvious infection on my lip but not the blistering hemorrhage painful an unsightly kind! I thought, like most, what the heck is a non-medicated patch that will probably look like scotch tape on my face gunna do?! Crazy enough it actually helps and wayyyy better than abreva which I swear it useless. So, even better, the healing...oh my gosh the healing is the worst part am I right? It takes the longest, it scabs, it breaks, it bleeds, it hurts and it looks even worse than the beginning!

The patch made the healing process, I kid you not, amazing! No scab, no breaking, no drying, no caked on makeup, no issues with the showering peeling off the layer of skin that protects it, no waking up the next morning with a scab that will crack and break open the minute you smile, and and and did I mention the patch makes it barely noticeable!!!

Best healing and cold sore experience ever with this handy thing! Ok so the cons are there and I'm not saying its a miracle but its a step in the right direction! You can see the patch if it wrinkles ...but I've come to accept that I would rather them see that than the nightmare underneath!

You can cover it up with makeup tho its a little tricky and in shiny daylight it might be more obvious...but still without makeup it's pretty amazing at covering it up!

It doesn't hurt coming off if to follow directions: read the box you'll be fine lol and if anything throw some water around it and it'll come off like nothing!

It protects your cold sore from everything, touching it, drinking, eating, smoking, anything, which I now realize might have really made things worse ...duh!

I've tried everything- nail polish remover, abreva, windex(?), valtrex, coldfx, campex, lysine, Zovirax...everything lol!!! So I still thing valtrex and Zovirax are essential tools - get them if you don't have them- and pairing it with this patch - pff cold sores will be a cake walk!!

Good luck :)

Hey all,

Read all of the reviews and each and every single review gave me insight into the effectiveness of the patch.

Some reviews I identified with more, some less, but in reality what we share is that cold sores are an uncomfortable and embarrassing thing to deal with. Gonna have to admit that the embarrassment is the strongest element for me. You don't feel your best and the fact that it is so easily transmitted adds embarrassment.

Okay, that being said....

It was hard to rate this product because we are looking at the product for actual healing time and the emotional aspects of having cold sores.

It is the most amazing product for masking and reducing the appearance of the cold sore! I would score a five for that.

Does it speed the healing process?

Errrr, not quite sure about that. I have used over the counter and prescription ointments, pretty much as good as prescription

It DOES reduce the look of it, through masking or treatment. The time remains the same for healing but the sore does not get as raised, is not as seapy (barf), does not bleed, does not go through the endless cycle of shedding, getting worse, getting better, then shedding again. When you change the patch it does feel wet all the time though, but I get the idea it's a different kind of healing and it looks a hell of a lot better when protected by the patch. The patch doesn't make it look shiny either, and truly I like the look of it better without lipstick.

Taking off the patch....

The way they suggest does aggravate the sore....and yeah, it does hurt.

Moisture does break down the adhesive, more on that later, but my suggestion is to get a wet tissue and blot it for five minutes or so and work it so it slides off, or massage it with a cold sore cream. Pulling it off without doing something to it first is painful and will make it worse. Or...take a bath or shower and massage and wash it off with soap....slowly.

The good news is that adhesive works so I have been able to have it on for many hours comfortably.

One thing I read from one poster is that the cold sore expands to use the whole circle patch. I had that too, but it left the surrounding skin alone. Like others have suggested, use a smaller portion of the patch. The persons who suggested this were talking about cost, I am speaking of effectiveness. Use only the amount of patch that covers the trouble spot, press firmly for about thirty seconds making sure it adheres. I did that with the one half moon, and snip the other side free. You may be able to use the other half again but these patches are difficult to place as many have said and yes....I went through 3 as did others before I got the learning curve.

Considering the way the patch heals, even though the time healing wasn't really reduced, I am going to have to say that aside from on day of the process. day 2, I felt fairly confident that I looked normal. Not much discoloration or a raised nature.....just wet and a bit ouchy when changing the patch. I let the sore dry somewhat for an hour between after washing it before putting on a new patch.

Lifting up edges that do not cover the spot and trimming works, for the former reason stated and plus it looks more natural. People will notice a full circle and feel less knowing with a shape that happens less perfect. Smooth down the edges.

It is especially important to trim down this patch and if you can and the cold sore is away from the inside of your mouth make sure that it does not extend towards your mouth as much as possible. Moisture does break down the adhesive, so if your patch is on what would normally be dry, you can depend on this patch lasting for many hours....8 plus for sure. If it extends towards your mouth....it will start to lift within an hour.

Okay, maybe this product does not really speed healing that much for me, nor is it reasonable in price but...for looks and minimizing the look as the cold sore heals, in reality and in fact....it is a product I will ALWAYS have on hand. ALWAYS!

Plus, I don't know about you all, but I cannot help but touch my cold sore all the time. I know it is not right to do but you are always hoping it is getting better and wanting it to shed. This product is a barrier for germs and your picking hands. It also relieves the feeling that you have something there so you don't even want to put your hands to your lips.

This is the FIRST time that I have had a cold sore and many, many times forgot I had one.

Prepare to screw up the application of more than three patches at first, they have the look of the early teeth whitening strips that adhere to themselves and have the thickness of a layer of skin.

....and as many have said, it makes you feel less likely to spread the virus which makes you feel less of a pariah

At the very least I think people should try it once to see if it works for them, make their own decision....I'm sure people will who know of a new product.

This ailment is embarrassing and I know that most will do anything they can to work through it.

Ending thing....

I don't get them often, but about once a year and it seems always in January...or at times of high stress....as is the rule.

Felt very strong about passing on this review because I know how it makes me feel and I'm sure that it makes others feel not their best either.

Hope this review helps.....