Are Wound Skin Closure just a waste of money?

Scar hyperplasia after surgery looks like a centipede lying on the skin, and this scene makes countless patients anxious. As a popular product for scar prevention, tension-reducing dressings are often labeled as "IQ tax". Is it really effective? Clinical data show that the standardized use of tension-reducing dressings can reduce scar width by 30%-50%, but the key lies in the timing of use, operation details, and product selection.

Why can tension-reducing dressings prevent scars?

The core mechanism of scar hyperplasia is excessive skin tension. When the wound is in a state of tension, fibroblasts will over-secrete collagen, forming a raised scar. The tension-reducing dressing applies reverse tension to both sides of the wound through elastic materials, dispersing the tension to the surrounding skin. Studies have shown that continuous use of tension-reducing dressings for 6 months can increase scar maturity by 40% and double the probability of scar color approaching normal skin.

When is the most critical time to use a tension-reducing dressing after surgery?

In clinical practice, doctors recommend using it immediately after suturing. At this time, the wound is in the edema stage, the tissue gap is large, and the tension-reducing effect is best. If the golden period is missed, it must be started within 24 hours after the sutures are removed. There was a patient who started using it 10 days after surgery, resulting in a scar width of 3 mm, while the scar width of patients who used it in the same period was only 1.2 mm. When using it, it needs to be pasted vertically along the wound, leaving a 1-2 cm buffer zone at both ends to avoid direct pulling of the wound.

How to avoid tension-reducing dressings from becoming a "tax on intelligence"?

The key lies in the details of the operation. First, after cleaning the wound, it needs to be completely dry before sticking, otherwise the stickiness will decrease and cause it to fall off. Secondly, change it every 3-5 days, soak the edges with warm water when changing, and avoid violent tearing. If the wound is located at the joint, it needs to be fixed with an elastic bandage to prevent movement from causing the dressing to shift. Clinical cases show that the scar hyperplasia rate in the standardized operation group is 8%, while that in the random use group is as high as 32%.

How do tension-reducing dressings work with other products?

Scar prevention requires a multi-pronged approach. One week after the stitches are removed, a silicone gel scar patch can be applied, as its hydration can soften the collagen structure. If the wound becomes red and swollen, the tension-reducing dressing should be discontinued and replaced with a silver ion dressing to prevent infection. For pediatric patients, a tension-reducing dressing with cartoon patterns can be selected to improve compliance. However, it should be noted that all products must be from brands with medical device registration certificates.

The effect of tension-reducing dressings is also related to the type of wound. For clean surgical incisions, the preventive effect can reach more than 60%, but for infected wounds or diabetic patients, the underlying disease must be controlled first. There have been diabetic patients who did not use tension-reducing dressings as prescribed by doctors, resulting in wound ulceration and scar width of up to 5 mm. Therefore, the wound condition needs to be assessed before use, and combined with antibiotic treatment if necessary.

Strain-relieving dressings are not a panacea, but using them can significantly reduce the risk of scarring. From precise adhesion immediately after surgery to synergy with other products, prevention details are hidden in every link. Scar prevention is a long-term battle, and strain-relieving dressings are only one part of it. Standardized operation and personalized solutions are the key to success. For more information on Innomed®Wound Skin Closure, refer to the Previous Articles. If you have customized needs, you are welcome to contact us; You Wholeheartedly. At longterm medical, we transform this data by Innovating and Developing Products that Make Life easier for those who need loving care.

Editor: kiki Jia