It’s hard when you have a stubborn skin condition you can’t soothe or get rid of. Try as you might that eczema or dermatitis prominently remains visible and irritated. And even after trying topicals, injections, and everything in between, they seem to worsen. Well, we are happy to report that your skincare wishes have come true. Adding an occlusive product to your routine may be the answer you are looking for. Let’s get into the details and which exact skin conditions occlusion can assist with.

Occlusion is a dermatological technique that covers or encloses the skin to create a moisture-rich environment. This method enhances the skin's ability to heal, retain moisture, and increase the penetration of topical medications. Below we will dive into the benefits of occlusion for specific skin conditions, like eczema, psoriasis, chronic hand dermatitis, contact dermatitis, wounds, and ulcers.

Eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. Occlusion therapy has shown significant benefits in managing eczema. By applying an occlusive tape or ointment over affected areas, moisture is trapped, and the skin's natural barrier is improved. This reduces transepidermal water loss and allows topical medications, such as corticosteroids and emollients, to penetrate more effectively, leading to better symptom control and faster healing.

Studies have demonstrated that occlusion therapy can improve eczema symptoms, enhance the effectiveness of prescribed treatments, and reduce the need for strong topical steroids, thereby minimizing the risk of side effects.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder characterized by the rapid buildup of skin cells, leading to thick, silvery scales and inflamed, itchy patches. Occlusion therapy benefits psoriasis, especially in combination with topical treatments. Products such as corticosteroids, retinoids, or salicylic acid absorb deeper and have a more significant effect when treating psoriatic lesions.

Occlusion also softens the psoriatic plaques, making them easier to remove when using emollients and keratolytic agents. And finally, occlusion helps psoriasis-related dryness and scaling, helping to improve the skin's overall appearance.

Chronic Hand Dermatitis

Chronic hand dermatitis is a common condition that affects people exposed to irritants or allergens at work or during daily activities. Occlusion can be especially useful in this context. Applying occlusive products to dermatitis helps to prevent the loss of natural oils and moisture, reduces dryness, and improves the skin barrier function.

Wearing occlusive gloves (also known as moisturizing gloves) after applying topical treatments at night can significantly enhance the effect for individuals with chronic hand dermatitis. This approach allows the medications to work undisturbed, leading to more rapid symptom relief and improved hand skin health.

Occlusion Dermatitis

Unfortunately, you can go too far with occluded skin. Occlusion dermatitis is a skin condition due to prolonged use of occlusive dressings. Trapped moisture and blocked pores upset the skin’s natural balance, leading to inflammation, redness, and irritation. Proper monitoring and cautious occlusion of the skin help prevent and manage occlusion dermatitis effectively.

Contact Dermatitis

Now, let’s expand out from hand dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin reaction that occurs anywhere exposure to allergens or irritants occurs. Occlusion therapy can help manage acute contact dermatitis. Applying a dressing over topical corticosteroids or emollients increases the penetration and enhances their efficacy. Additionally, occlusion can serve as a barrier, protecting the affected skin from further contact with allergens or irritants, thus promoting healing and preventing exacerbation of the condition.

Wounds and Ulcers

Occlusion has been widely used in wound management to promote healing and tissue repair. Medical occlusion, dressing the wound, creates a moist environment helping maintain optimal conditions for cellular proliferation, migration, and re-epithelialization, leading to faster wound closure.

In the case of chronic non-healing wounds or ulcers, occlusion has shown promising results. By keeping the wound moist and protected, occlusive dressings can help facilitate debridement and accelerate tissue regeneration.

Incorporating occlusion into your skincare routine offers a valuable and effective approach to managing various skin conditions. By enhancing the skin's barrier function, retaining moisture, and improving the absorption rate, occlusion contributes to faster healing, symptom relief, and overall improvement in the skin's health.

How Should Occlusive Products Be Used for Skin Conditions?

Obviously, occlusive products can be highly beneficial in managing multiple skin conditions. Here's the Dermaclara guide on how to use them effectively:

Cleanse the Skin: Before applying any occlusive product, ensure the skin is clean and dry. Gently wash the affected area with Claraprep and pat it dry with a soft towel.

Apply Medications First: If your healthcare provider has prescribed topical medications, apply them to the affected skin before using occlusive products. This ensures that the medications penetrate the skin effectively.

Choose Suitable Occlusive Products: Different occlusive products are available, including ointments, creams, tapes, and patches. Select one suitable for your specific skin condition and consider your skin type.

Cover the Affected Area: Apply the occlusive product over the affected skin. Avoid rubbing or excessive pressure, especially on sensitive or inflamed areas.

Monitor Skin Reaction: Keep a close eye on your skin's reaction to the occlusive product. If you experience any irritation, redness, or worsening of symptoms, discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider.

Frequency of Use: The frequency of occlusive product application may vary depending on the severity of your skin condition.

How Do Occlusive Dermaclara Patches Help Skin Conditions?

Dermaclara silicone patches create an occlusive microclimate that boosts moisture and collagen production and encourages healing. When applied to skin conditions, Dermaclara occlusive patches effectively soothe and treat the area. Let’s get into the benefits below.

Moisture Retention

Dermaclara silicone patches create an occlusive environment that helps retain moisture in the skin. This is essential for conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or dry skin, as it prevents excessive water loss and keeps the skin hydrated, reducing itching and promoting healing.

Enhanced Absorption

Silicone patches enhance the absorption of topical medications. When applied on the skin after medication, they create a closed environment that allows better penetration of the active ingredients, thereby increasing treatment effectiveness.

Softening and Smoothing

The occlusive properties of Dermaclara patches can soften rough skin and smooth the surface of psoriatic plaques, making them more amenable to treatment and reducing discomfort.

Comfortable and Long-lasting

Silicone patches are comfortable to wear and can be worn overnight, allowing for continuous therapeutic effects. Dermaclara patches are also designed to be re-worn up to 30 times, meaning they are long-lasting and can be fully integrated into your routine.

If you have any questions about the skin-changing effects of Dermaclara, we are always here, available to answer your inquiries.