Adhesive Removers

Many common bandages use adhesive to ensure they stay in place on the skin. When removing the bandage, the adhesive also needs to be removed, but this can be tricky.

An adhesive that is too strong can compromise the integrity of the skin around the wound, as can removing a bandage or tape too quickly. The use of adhesive remover prevents this additional injury and increases comfort when removing a bandage.

What Are Adhesive Removers?

Adhesive removers use mild chemicals that loosen and break down adhesives previously applied to the skin. Essentially, they dissolve the adhesive, and unlike some other home-remedy solutions, medical-grade adhesive removers are generally sterile and will also clean the affected area.

Ingredients in Medical Grade Adhesive Removers

Generally, medical-grade adhesive wipes contain paraffin. The paraffin helps ease the harshness of the isopropyl alcohol, another common ingredient in adhesive removers, that works to break down the adhesive and sterilize the area.

Detachol is a practical choice for someone sensitive to the harshness of isopropyl alcohol and other chemicals like acetone. It is a specially formulated adhesive remover containing specially developed paraffin hydrocarbon and is non-aerosol. It has no harsh chemicals, making it easy on the skin and easier for most patients to handle.

In What Applications Are Medical Grade Adhesive Removers Used?

You can remove bandages held on with medical tape, like around a surgical incision, and adhesive bandages using medical-grade adhesive remover pads. Not using an adhesive remover can cause pain and discomfort and unwanted tearing, further compromising the skin around the wound and even the unwanted (and painful) removal of hair around the affected area.

While often used in doctor’s offices and by wound care professionals, many people will find adhesive removers valuable additions to their medicine cabinets and first aid kits.

How Are Adhesive Removers Packaged?

They conveniently come in pre-soaked disposable pads or wipes. This keeps each pad sterile, and they are disposable. However, adhesive removers also come in bottles of liquid or sprays. You apply them using a cotton ball or a sterile gauze pad that can be rewetted and reused until all the adhesive is gone and the bandage is completely off.

How Do I Apply Medical Grade Adhesive Removers?

When removing a bandage already attached to the skin, pry up a small corner and apply adhesive remover as you go. You can do this using wipes, or in the case of liquid, apply a small amount of the remover to either sterile gauze or a sterile cotton ball or swab, and then gently to the area where the adhesive contacts the skin.

Always follow the manufacturer's directions of the specific medical-grade adhesive remover you are using.

If reapplying a bandage, ensure you remove all adhesive from the last bandage and confirm the area is clean and dry. Otherwise, what's left of the adhesive remover may prevent the new bandage from sticking to the skin and holding it in place.

You should not use these products if you have had allergies to adhesive removers or their ingredients. Discontinue use if any redness, rash, hives, or swelling occurs at the application site, and consult a medical professional. If you cannot safely remove the bandage or adhesive, skin tearing or pain results, consult a medical professional before proceeding further.