What is Dermafill?

Dermafill is a form of cellulose. A naturally occurring substance that resemble the body’s own collagen. Why does it work? When you have an accident, the body creates collagen to heal the wound. Dermafill closely resembles the body’s own collagen.

What does Dermafill look like?

When it is removed from its envelope it looks like a thin piece of wax paper. When it becomes wet, Dermafill becomes clear and very strong.

Does it hurt?

NO! It does not hurt. People report Dermafill reduces or stops pain in most cases.

How often do I change Dermafill?

Once Dermafill is applied, it does not need to be removed. Your physician will determine the dressing change schedule. Many times the Dermafill falls off by itself when the wound has healed.

How do I clean the wound if I do not remove Dermafill?

Once you apply Dermafill you do not need to clean the wound. Dermafill provides a very effective barrier to bacteria reducing the chances of infection. Once a scab forms you can shower, but do not let the stream of the water beat down on the dressing and pat dry do not rub.

What if I want to remove the Dermafill dressing before my wound is completely healed?

If you decide to remove the Dermafill dressing once in place, simply soak the dressing for 10 to 15 minutes with warm water/saline solution and the dressing will simply fall off.

Can I take a shower or a bath with the Dermafill dressing in place?

The dressing should be kept dry until a scab-like appearance forms (this may occur in as little as a day or can take up to a couple of days to appear). After you confirm the presence of the scab you may take showers as you normally would. Please refrain from directly soaking the dressing as this will cause it to fall off within 10 to 15 minutes (see above faq). If the dressing should inadvertently fall off simply reapply a new piece.

What do I do if Dermafill should tear or crack?

If Dermafill is accidentally removed before the wound has healed, simply wet the exposed area with water or saline and apply a new piece of Dermafill overlapping the exposed areas. If a small hole develops just place a small piece over the hole and it automatically seals it closed.

If Dermafill is clear when it is applied, and my wound is red at that time, why does it become brown or black?

Since Dermafill is clear, we can see the healing process. The wound may start off red and beefy in appearance. The body sends many types of cells to fight off bacteria and other cells to repair the wound. These cells may appear yellow, green, or white in color. As the fluid dries it may become red, brown, or black. The more blood cells in the fluid, the darker the dressing becomes.

It sounds like the wound might look ugly as it goes through the healing process.

How do I know if the wound is infected? It is true that a healing wound often appears infected. With Dermafill we are able to see the healing process. If the wound becomes infected, the area around the dressing will become red, hot, painful and it will have a strong odor. In addition, the patient might develop a fever and appear ill. Remember, it is these other points that indicate infection, not the color of the wound alone.

If you are concerned the wound might be infected notify your physician immediately or report to an emergency room where they will evaluate and treat you as needed.

Can I take a shower after Dermafill becomes reddish-brown and semi-rigid?

Once Dermafill has been applied and as healing takes place it will begin to look like a scab. Once this happens the Dermafill can become wet for short periods of time. It is best to take a shower instead of bathing in the tub.

Should I cover Dermafill with gauze or some other protective dressing?

This is not necessary. Dermafill works best left open to air. If the wound is across a joint like the ankle or knee, you may need to stabilize Dermafill with an air permeable hypoallergenic tape along edges of the dressing or a latex free elastic bandage. If you use an elastic bandage remove the bandage when resting. Once the scab has hardened, a protective dressing is no longer needed.

How long does it take for Dermafill to fall off? Does it fall off in one piece, or flake away?

Each wound is different. Size, depth, and location of the wound and overall health of the patient affect healing time. Wounds usually heal from the edges. Sometimes Dermafill flakes away in a patchwork pattern.