3M Steri-Strip Blend Tone Skin Closures

3M Steri-Strip Blend Tone Skin Closure Features

• Used as skin closure device in the treatment of lacerations and surgical incisions
• May also be used in conjunction with skin sutures and staples or after their removal for wound support
• Light color blends with many skin tones, for a more cosmetically pleasing appearance
• Non-invasive, sterile design helps improve cosmetic outcomes with less tissue trauma
• Breathable material of 3M Steri-Strip Blend Tone Skin Closures improves patient comfort
• Designed to allow for tissue expansion and movement
• Hold the edges of an incision or laceration together, enhancing healing through rapid development of wound tensile strength
• Made of porous, non-woven backing coated with a pressure-sensitive, hypoallergenic adhesive
• Used in emergency department, operating rooms, clinics and physician offices, same day surgery centers
• 3M Steri Strip Skin Closures are reinforced with filaments for strength
• Designed to be as gentle as possible and yet provide desired performance
• Enhanced patient comfort and less chance of infection
• Less scarring when compared to staples or sutures
• Less expensive than skin adhesives, sutures or staples
• Easy to apply wound closure strips
• Reduce the likelihood of skin irritation
• Microporous material is breathable
• Easy on patients
• Fast application

3M Steri Strips Skin Closures - Application And Removal Guide
3M Steri Strips Skin Closures - Article Information Sheet
 

What to buy with 3M Steri-Strip Blend Tone Skin Closures?

• Medline Non-Sterile Cotton Balls
• 3M Cavilon No-Rinse Skin Cleanser
• 3M Wound Cleanser

How to use 3M Steri Strip Skin Closures?

• If tension is noted under 3M Steri-Strip wound closures, they may be replaced under the direction of a health care professional.
• Lifted edges of Steri Strip Dressings may be trimmed. However, when less than 1/2 inch of Steri-Strip closures remains on either side of wound, one might consider gently removing the closure and replacing it with a new one.

How to Apply 3M Steri Strips Skin Closures?

1. Clean and dry skin at least two inches around wound.
2. Peel back package tabs to access the sterile 3M Steri-Strip Blend Tone Skin Closures. Remove card, using sterile precautions as necessary. Bend card at end perforation and gently remove tab.
3. Grasp end of skin closure with forceps or gloved hand; lift straight upward (90 degree angle). Closures lifted at a lesser angle or directly back on themselves may "curl", complicating handling.
4. Wound closure generally starts at the middle of the wound. 3M Steri-Strip Blend Tone Skin Closures must be applied without tension. Do not stretch or "strap" Steri-Strip closures. Apply one-half of first 3M Steri Strip Skin Closure to wound margin and press firmly in place.
5. Using fingers or forceps, appose skin edges as closely as possible. Press free half of Steri Strip Dressing firmly on other side of wound.
6. The rest of the wound should be closed with additional Steri-Strip closures spaced approximately 1/8 inch (3mm) apart by:
   (a) sequentially bisecting remaining length of wound with Steri-Strip closures or
   (b) applying Steri-Strip closures 1/8 inch apart until edges are completely approximated.
   If edges are not accurately apposed, remove 3M Steri Strip Skin Closures over affected area (peeling each side towards wound) and reapproximate wound.
7. Additional 3M Steri-Strip Blend Tone Skin Closures may be applied parallel to wound, approximately 1/2 inch in from ends (cross stays, railroad tracks). This may reduce stress beneath the ends of Steri-Strip closures decreasing risk of skin tension blisters and premature lifting of Steri-Strip closures.

How to Remove Steri Strips Blend Tone Skin Closures?

1. Remove cross stays. Gently grasp and loosen ends of 3M Steri-Strip skin closure.
2. Stabilize the skin with one finger. Remove Steri-Strip closure "low and slow" towards wound, keeping it close to skin surface and pulled back over itself. Removing Steri-Strip closure at an angle will pull at the epidermis increasing risk of mechanical trauma.
3. As the 3M Steri Strip Skin Closures is removed, continue moving finger as necessary, supporting newly exposed skin. When both sides of the Steri-Strip closure are completely loosened, lift strip up from center of wound.

Contraindications:

• 3M Steri-Strip Blend Tone Skin Closures are contraindicated where adhesion cannot be obtained. Potential causes of inadequate adhesion are presence of exudate, skin oils, moisture, or hair.
• Use of these closures on infected wounds is contraindicated.
• 3M Steri Strip Skin Closures are contraindicated for use in high tension wounds which cannot be easily approximated with fingers or forceps.

Precautions to take while using 3M Steri Strips

• The skin should be clean, dry, and free of skin oils to assure good adhesion.
• Do not apply skin closures under tension. Skin shearing, skin blistering, or loss of adhesion may result if excessive tension is applied.

Warnings:

• The development of postoperative edema may cause skin shearing, skin blistering, or loss of tape adhesion to occur at either end of the strip.
• Application of any surgical tape or adhesive skin closure may result in skin stripping upon removal.
• As with all adhesive products applied to the skin, a small percentage of individuals may experience hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation following removal.
• Occasional cases of mild acne and folliculitis have been observed in testing on healthy volunteers.