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.....

I started getting a cold sore on my chin, the evening before a big meeting. I was absolutely panicked and started googling ways to hide it. Needless to say, I found YouTube videos showing abreva and polysporin patches. I immediately took a midnight trip to shoppers drug mart. I was a little disappointed with the cost and even more so when it took me three attempts to get the polysporin patches on without wrinkles, but once it was on, it was great! Although it didn't make the cold sore invisible, it did diminish the appearance significantly.

I did apply make-up over the patch and found that it looked great for the first hour. Make sure you dab concealer or foundation on the patch lightly, then set with powder. I would not recommend applying make-up on the patch if you're hoping it will last 8 hours. After the first hour, I found the patch edges were coming up slightly and the make-up was making its way underneath and making the patch glaringly obvious.

The patch did seem to stop the cold sore from growing further and I never had to deal with the gross crusty healing process. Having a cold sore is never fun, but it is nice that there is an alternative to the creams. This product doesn't hide it completely, but does make me more comfortable when out in public (and in meetings!).

I purchased the patches in advance so that I would have them on hand when my next cold sore started up. At the first tingle last Monday, I stuck one on and followed the instructions to the letter. One week later, it's pretty much gone so it cut a few days off the usual healing time. I am very pleased with the results. What I noticed is that I had no pain and that the cold sore stayed very flat (instead of the normal volcano eruption). The absolute best part was that it hid the unsightly and disgusting sore itself so that I didn't feel self-conscious. There was also none of that cracking and bleeding as it healed. My husband said he didn't even notice the patch or the cold sore. I'm sure the results will be different for everyone, but I was very happy with the product.

Expensive!!! But worth the expense to ensure the sore does not spread! I don't think it speeds my cold sore healing time however they make me feel better knowing my cold sore is contained and will not spread into a larger area. They are on the pricey side and I don't think they should be this expensive. I pair mine with abreeva and haven't had a big ugly cold sore since doing so.

I feel really badly for those writers who had such a terrible experience with the Polysporin cold sore patches. I'm wondering if maybe these are not a good idea for those who get really serious, frequent outbreaks? Like another user, I only get a coldsore about once a year (thank goodness), but it's always a really bad cluster and lasts forever. Nothing has ever worked to reduce them in serverity or duration - and to be honest, these patches were no differnt in that regard. I actually have a permanent, slightly red patch of skin above my upper lip - scar tissue from years of getting cold sores in the exact same spot. :o( This time the outbreak was at the corner of my mouth - very odd - and really bad.

By the time I went in search of the patch, the cold sore had already errupted, so I'm not able to comment if it would really reduce outbreak time if applied at the first tinglings like the package recommends. Nothing has ever done that for me - not even Zovirax.

What I DO LOVE about these things is the coverage. I have a really big, ugly cold sore right now, and my colleagues said they didn't even notice! (they're all women - they would tell me the truth). My husband said it's much nicer to look at the "patch" (which you can hardly see) than the cold sore. I have felt less self conscious about it than ever before, and love the freedom of movement I have. Usually the sores hurt so badly that I can't eat or drink properly, and even talking can be irritating. But I find the patches soothing.

Also like another user here, I LOVED that the patch gives me some coverage around my children. I am still very careful not to kiss them, but if someone accidentally brushed my lip or something, I'm not in full fledged panic.

I would highly recommend these for people who don't get serious and frequent cold sores. And I'm really sympathetic to others - cold sores are so nasty to begin with - the last thing you need is something making it worse!

I went to a Polysporin beauty dinner recently and it was very discret in what they were going to present and once we got settled they announced the product focus, Polysporin's Cold Sore Healing Patch! Pre-dinner I was pretty shocked, but their chemist from Johnson & Johnson taught us all a lot about Cold Sores, the virus that triggers the lesions and how the Polysporin Cold Sore Healing Patch is meant to work. It was VERY educational.

How the patch works; It a thin, circular, tape-like patch that you place very gently on the lesion ensuring you allow the patch to fall in the grooves of the cold sore and your lip. Do not place it on your lesion tight like a band-aid. The patch has a two-way air flow so your lesion can heal naturally, blocking out all bacteria but allowing the lesion to breath and your body to healing it naturally in it's optimal environment. The patch doesn't hide the lesion but it sure makes it way less noticeable and clean compared to the application of a cream.

It was a beauty dinner theme because Johnson & Johnson had a make-up artist there to show us how to cover up the patch with make-up! After applying the patch as per the instructions, you can use a lip liner and lipstick to cover the patch and move on with your day and night :) NOTE: Do not use a lipstain or gloss, lip liner and lipstick are the best for proper coverage.