3M Steri-Strip Blend Tone Skin Closures

How To Apply 3M Steri-Strip Skin Closures?

• Skin Closure Application:
  1. Clean and dry skin at least two inches around wound.
  2. Peel back package tabs to access the sterile Steri-Strip 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). Steri-Strip 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. Steri-Strip closures must be applied without tension. Do not stretch or "strap" Steri-Strip closures. Apply one-half of first Steri-Strip 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 closure 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 Steri-Strip closures over affected area (peeling each side towards wound) and reapproximate wound.
  7. Additional Steri-Strip 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.
• Tips for Use:
  - If tension is noted under Steri-Strip skin closures, they may be replaced under the direction of a health care professional.
  - Lifted edges of Steri-Strip closures 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 Steri-Strip closure and replacing it with a new one.

How To Remove Steri-Strip Skin Closure?

1. Remove cross stays. Gently grasp and loosen ends of 3M Steri-Strip 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 Steri-Strip closure 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:
  - Steri-Strip 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 Steri-Strip skin closures on infected wounds is contraindicated.
  - Steri-Strip skin closures are contraindicated for use in high tension wounds which cannot be easily approximated with fingers or forceps.
• Precautions:
  - 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.

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

Specification

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