Silicone Contact Layer Wound Dressings
Silicone contact layer wound dressings for atraumatic primary wound bed contact - Molnlycke Mepitel non-adherent silicone dressings in 2x3, 3x4, 4x7.2 inch and additional sizes, Smith & Nephew CICA-CARE silicone gel sheet, plus additional silicone contact layer products. Non-adherent to the wound bed while gently adhering to dry peri-wound skin - allows multiple secondary dressing changes over a single contact layer placement. Sterile, ships within 24 hours. Wholesale case pricing.
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Silicone Contact Layers for Atraumatic Wound Care
Silicone contact layer dressings are a specialty subcategory built around a single clinical principle: minimize trauma to the wound bed at every dressing change. The mechanism is the silicone adhesive itself - it adheres gently to dry intact peri-wound skin but does not bond to the moist wound bed, granulating tissue or new epithelium. The clinical impact is significant in fragile or healing wounds: less pain at dressing changes, reduced peri-wound skin stripping, no disruption of newly formed granulation tissue, and the ability to leave the silicone contact layer in place across multiple secondary dressing changes - reducing total dressing trauma over the wound healing course.
Silicone Contact Layer Products Available
- Molnlycke Mepitel (Non-Adherent Silicone) - The catalog standard silicone contact layer. Available in 2x3 inch (one-sided), 3x4 inch (one-sided), 4x7.2 inch (one-sided), plus two-sided variants in matching sizes (2x3, 3x4). The two-sided variants can be applied either side down for placement flexibility.
- Smith & Nephew CICA-CARE Silicone Gel Sheet - Silicone gel sheet for scar management and post-surgical scar care. Different clinical application than wound contact layers - used after wound closure for scar reduction.
- Additional Mepitel sizes (Molnlycke 290599, 290799, 291099) - Multiple-pack formats: 10/bx, 5 bx/cs configurations for facility-volume stocking.
Silicone Contact Layer Sizes Available
| Size | Configuration | Common Use | Pack Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 x 3 inch | One-sided or two-sided silicone | Small wounds, finger/toe coverage | 10/bx, 5 bx/cs |
| 3 x 4 inch | One-sided or two-sided silicone | Standard wound coverage, partial-thickness burns | 10/bx, 4 bx/cs |
| 4 x 7.2 inch | One-sided silicone | Larger wounds, lateral coverage | Multi-pack |
| Larger formats | Two-sided silicone | Extended wound surfaces, donor sites | Multi-pack |
Clinical Applications for Silicone Contact Layers
- Burn care - Partial-thickness burns and donor sites where standard dressing adherence to healing epithelium causes trauma at every change. Mepitel is widely used in burn unit and burn outpatient clinic protocols.
- Skin tears - The fragile tissue flap in skin tear injuries needs non-adherent primary contact. Silicone contact layers prevent further damage to the flap at dressing changes.
- Fragile periwound skin - Elderly patients with thin friable skin, patients on long-term steroids, and patients with chronic skin conditions benefit from gentle silicone adhesion that minimizes skin stripping.
- Sensitive wound beds - Newly granulating wounds, fresh skin grafts, surgical wounds with delicate healing tissue.
- Multi-change dressing strategies - The silicone contact layer remains in place while the secondary absorbent above is changed multiple times - reducing total wound bed disruption over the healing course.
One-Sided vs Two-Sided Silicone Configurations
One-sided Mepitel dressings have silicone adhesive on one face (toward the wound and peri-wound skin) and a backing on the other face. They are applied silicone-side down. Two-sided Mepitel dressings have silicone on both faces, allowing placement with either side down - useful when wound orientation, clinician hand position, or sterile field constraints make one-sided application awkward. The two-sided format also allows the dressing to act as an interlayer between two different secondary dressings if needed.
Silicone contact layers are a clinically essential specialty SKU in any wound care formulary handling burns, complex chronic wounds, fragile skin populations or skin tear injuries. The Mepitel line covers the standard size and configuration range. Order at the best Wholesale Prices with MAP Medical.
Top Silicone Contact Layer Dressings
- Molnlycke # 289100 - Non-Adherent Silicone Dressing, 2" x 3", One Sided
- Molnlycke # 289300 - Non-Adherent Silicone Dressing, 3" x 4", One Sided
- Molnlycke # 289500 - Non-Adherent Silicone Dressing, 4" x 7.2", One Sided
- Molnlycke # 290599 - Non-Adherent Silicone Dressing, 2" x 3", 10/bx, 5 bx/cs
- Molnlycke # 290799 - Non-Adherent Silicone Dressing, 3" x 4", 10/bx, 4 bx/cs
- Molnlycke # 291099 - Non-Adherent Silicone Dressing, larger format
- Smith & Nephew # 66250707 - CICA-CARE Silicone Gel Sheet
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a silicone contact layer dressing?
A silicone contact layer dressing is a thin sheet of silicone-coated mesh designed to sit directly on the wound bed as the primary contact dressing. The silicone adheres gently to dry intact peri-wound skin but does not bond to the moist wound bed - so dressing changes lift the silicone cleanly from the wound surface without disturbing healing tissue. A separate absorbent secondary dressing sits above the silicone contact layer to handle exudate management.
Why is silicone adhesive better than standard adhesive for some wounds?
Silicone adhesive technology is selectively adhesive: it bonds gently to dry intact skin (allowing the dressing to stay in place over peri-wound skin) but does not bond to the moist wound bed or to granulating tissue. Standard acrylic adhesives bond to everything they contact - including healing tissue - causing trauma at every dressing change. For fragile wound beds, burns, skin tears, and patients with friable skin, silicone contact layers significantly reduce dressing change pain and wound trauma.
What is the difference between one-sided and two-sided Mepitel?
One-sided Mepitel has silicone adhesive on the wound-contact face only, with a backing on the other side. Two-sided Mepitel has silicone on both faces, allowing placement with either side down. The two-sided format is useful when sterile field constraints or clinician hand position make one-sided application awkward, and it can also act as an interlayer between two different secondary dressings if needed.
Can hospitals order Mepitel and other silicone contact layers in bulk?
Yes. Silicone contact layer dressings are stocked in case quantities for hospitals, burn units, wound care centers, surgery centers and long-term care facilities. The Mepitel 2x3 (289100, 290599), 3x4 (289300, 290799) and 4x7.2 (289500) are the most commonly automated standing order SKUs. Burn programs and complex wound care centers typically maintain higher silicone contact layer inventory levels than general medical units.
What silicone contact layer products should be in a wound care formulary?
A complete silicone contact layer formulary covers the three core size points: 2x3 for small wounds, finger/toe coverage; 3x4 for standard wound coverage and partial-thickness burns; and 4x7.2 for larger wound surfaces. Adding one two-sided variant provides placement flexibility for awkward anatomical positions. For scar management programs (separate clinical application), CICA-CARE silicone gel sheet should also be stocked. Contact our team to build a complete silicone contact layer formulary.