Mepilex Dressings Contain a Silicone Film
Yes, Mepilex dressings have a silicone film as part of their design, specifically using Safetac soft silicone adhesive technology as their wound contact layer. 1
Composition and Structure of Mepilex
Mepilex dressings are designed with a multi-layer structure:
- Wound Contact Layer: Made with Safetac technology, which is a soft silicone film that adheres gently to the surrounding skin but not to the moist wound bed 2
- Absorbent Foam Layer: Sits behind the silicone contact layer to manage exudate
- Outer Backing: Provides protection and containment
Types of Mepilex Products
Different Mepilex products incorporate this silicone film technology:
- Mepilex Border: Contains a silicone adhesive border with the Safetac technology, showing superior skin protection compared to other adhesive dressings 3
- Mepilex Border Lite: Designed for pediatric wounds with the same silicone adhesive technology 4
- Mepilex Ag: Combines the silicone film with silver for antimicrobial properties 5
Clinical Advantages of the Silicone Film
The silicone film in Mepilex provides several important clinical benefits:
- Atraumatic Removal: Over 99.5% of Mepilex Border Lite dressing changes were reported to be atraumatic 4
- Pain Reduction: Significantly lower pain scores during dressing changes compared to traditional dressings 4
- Minimal Skin Stripping: Unlike other adhesive dressings, Mepilex Border showed no evidence of stratum corneum attachment to the adhesive upon removal 3
- Preserved Skin Barrier Function: Mepilex Border actually decreased transepidermal water loss slightly (-1g/m²/h), while other adhesive dressings increased it significantly (up to 28g/m²/h for some products) 3
Clinical Applications
The silicone film technology makes Mepilex particularly suitable for:
- Fragile Skin: Recommended for use in neonates with epidermolysis bullosa, where the guidelines specifically recommend silicone medical adhesive removers (SMARs) for any dressing removal 1
- Wound Management: Can be used for various wound types where minimizing trauma during dressing changes is critical 2
- Burn Care: The silicone layer provides a non-adherent interface that protects healing tissue 1
- Scar Management: Silicone sheeting has been shown to be effective for prevention and treatment of problematic scars 6
Practical Considerations
When using Mepilex dressings:
- The silicone film allows for repositioning of the dressing without losing adhesive properties
- The dressing can be lifted for wound inspection and reapplied
- The silicone layer prevents the dressing from adhering to the moist wound bed, reducing pain and trauma during dressing changes
The silicone film technology in Mepilex represents an important advancement in wound care, providing both protection and comfort while maintaining an optimal healing environment.