The importance of barrier products to maintain your skin health

Skin damage related to adhesive usage is a frequent but sometimes under-recognised complication. If your adhesive is not applied and/or removed properly it can cause tissue trauma.

One way to protect the integrity of your skin is to have a consistent skin care regime and an important part of this regime, is to use a skin barrier product. A skin barrier protects skin from injury from incorrect removal and from moisture-associated skin damage. The film or wipe works by adding a protective layer that can be applied to skin that’s healthy and skin that is broken or damaged, without causing any discomfort.

A good routine to maintain skin health or help heal damaged skin is:

• Choose an appropriate adhesive e.g. hydrocolloid/hydrogel
• Clean the area with wipes or gauze and water
• Allow to fully dry
• Add a skin barrier product and allow to fully dry
• If needed, warm the adhesive in your hands
• Wait 15 to 30 minutes before voicing to ensure good adherence to ensure it sticks well to the skin
• To remove the dressing use an adhesive removal wipe to loosen the adhesive and to ensure the adhesive is lifted gently with limited removal force

For more information on skin barriers and a good adhesive routine please contact us