Adhesive Used in Steri-Strips
Steri-Strips use a pressure-sensitive skin adhesive coating applied to polymeric strip components, specifically designed for medical-grade wound closure. 1
Adhesive Composition and Properties
The adhesive system on Steri-Strips consists of:
- Pressure-sensitive adhesive coating applied to polymeric strip materials that adheres upon contact with skin 1
- Hypoallergenic formulation designed to minimize skin reactions while maintaining secure adhesion 2
- The adhesive is engineered to provide sufficient holding strength for wound edge approximation without requiring penetration of tissue 1
Clinical Performance Characteristics
The adhesive properties of Steri-Strips demonstrate:
- Adequate adhesion strength when applied to clean, dry skin after proper wound preparation 3
- Moisture sensitivity - the adhesive can loosen if exposed to water, ointments, creams, or lotions during the first 24-48 hours 3
- Duration of adhesion typically maintains effectiveness for 5-7 days on facial wounds and 10-14 days on body wounds before natural loosening occurs 3, 4
Important Application Considerations
To optimize adhesive performance:
- Ensure skin is completely dry before application, as moisture significantly reduces adhesive strength 3
- Avoid applying any topical products (ointments, creams, lotions) over or near the strips, as these interfere with adhesion 3
- Trim loose edges rather than removing entire strips if peeling begins at edges while center remains adherent 3
Comparative Context
The pressure-sensitive adhesive used in Steri-Strips differs fundamentally from:
- Tissue adhesives (like 2-octyl cyanoacrylate/Dermabond) which are liquid monomers that polymerize and chemically bond to tissue 5
- Iodine-impregnated adhesive drapes used for surgical field preparation, which have antimicrobial properties but serve a different purpose 2
The adhesive technology in Steri-Strips provides noninvasive wound closure that results in significantly less erythema and edema compared to subcuticular sutures, while maintaining comparable infection rates and cosmetic outcomes 1, 6