Before you go sifting through a pile of material data sheets, you should be aware of the common myths surrounding skin contact adhesives.
Misconceptions about these materials can lead to costly mistakes, wasted time, and ineffective solutions.
Over the past 38 years, Strouse has worked with skin adhesive material, slitting it down into more manageable formats and transforming it into complex designs.
If you’re hoping to learn more about using adhesive skin tape, keep reading to figure out how to prepare for and avoid mistakes.
Skin Adhesive Tape Misconceptions
When selecting a material, it's essential to understand both the application and process. Let’s debunk some common myths about skin adhesive tape to ensure you’re on the right track.
MYTH #1: ALL SKIN ADHESIVES ARE THE SAME
Would you use an ordinary band-aid to cover a line of sutures? I hope the answer is no, for the sake of your health.
Skin adhesives refer to a wide range of products formulated for unique circumstances, including transdermal patches, wound dressings, double sided wearables, and more.
Many of these products, like adhesives for wearable devices, use stronger adhesives to hold weight or last longer. Temporary products, or those intended for thinner, more sensitive skin, require gentler adhesives.
The best formula and material depend on your product’s purpose, ensuring proper function and avoiding skin surface damage.
If you’re looking for a skin contact adhesive but are unsure which material to use, consider contacting a converter. Many adhesive converters (like Strouse) offer custom product samples and consultations to ensure your product's manufacturability.
MYTH #2: WEAR TIME DOESN’T MATTER
One of the primary considerations when choosing skin adhesive tape is the user's wear time, which will help determine the necessary adhesive strength.
Adhesive wear time can vary from a couple of hours to more than fourteen days, meaning there’s a wide variation in material selection.
Products with shorter wear times are manufactured using less powerful adhesives, such as silicone gel, to create a more comfortable user experience and reduce the chance of skin tears. On the other hand, long-term wear products use stronger adhesives, like acrylic, to build a more durable connection.
MYTH #3: SKIN ADHESIVES CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION AND ALLERGIES
While specific allergies to the ingredients and improper usage may cause skin irritation, many reputable skin adhesive products are painless and easy to use.
A common fear when using skin adhesives is that the skin will tear once the product is removed. However, if the material has been chosen responsibly, you should be able to remove the tape from the skin without causing severe irritation or leaving behind inordinate residue.
MYTH #4: SKIN ADHESIVES CAN ONLY BE USED ON SMALL WOUNDS
Wounds come in all shapes and sizes, and skin adhesive products are customizable depending on your wound care needs. However, your design is ultimately limited by your manufacturing capabilities. Products range from a square inch to covering an open chest wound. Skin adhesives are used in a wide variety of formats and configurations.
MYTH #5: SKIN ADHESIVES ARE NOT WATERPROOF
Some tapes struggle to perform in the water, but waterproof skin adhesives are formulated to withstand moisture.
Waterproof medical tape is often used to protect wounds from moisture. While the application surface must be dry to achieve the best adhesive performance, this tape can seal wounds from external factors.
Your ideal waterproof skin tape will depend on the application and level of breathability the skin needs.
Choosing the Right Skin Adhesive For Your Application
Now that you know more about adhesive skin tape, you’re ready to start finding the right one for your project.
To choose the right skin adhesive, you need to consider the design and production process based on the specific requirements of the medical tape, its application, and any other factors that are critical for your product's success.
Once you have determined your critical success factors, a trustworthy adhesive converter can help you select the most suitable material and suggest alternatives based on your specific needs ensuring that the product is functional, safe, and manufacturable. However, remember that the best skin tape suits your design AND production process.
Medical tape often requires a sterile production environment and specific quality standards, which can increase the cost of the final product. You wouldn’t want this unless it is essential. A trustworthy converter will consult with you about your product to determine the best manufacturable material, even if that means suggesting alternatives.
Talk to an experienced converter who can help you select the right material and build functional skin adhesive products.
Building a design goes beyond choosing a suitable adhesive, which is why Strouse invests time into your design and process to ensure that it meets our standards for quality and manufacturability.
Reach out today to get started, or look for more skin adhesive resources in our Learning Center.
