New Skin Antiseptic Liquid Bandage 1 floz

Prefatory note #1: The above ("Epinions.com") photo evidently shows an "obsolete" (prior) product box. As of early 2008, the product box sports "new-and-improved" artwork (not that mere "carton graphics" make much difference to me; "it's what's inside that counts!").

Prefatory note #2: I had assumed that this "Liquid Bandage" product (given that it's currently marketed by a company named "Medtech" in Jackson, Wyoming) was invented relatively recently. But I was surprised, if not shocked, to discover that it was actually invented around 1900! To view a cool, circa 1907 newspaper ad, see the following web page:

http://newskinproducts.com/history.htm


It's ironic that I'm singing the praises of this product, given that I'd previously been thoroughly disillusioned with one rather similar product--see my November 08 2007 review of "Ethicon Dermabond Topical Skin Adhesive". But the latter product had been inappropriately applied (at outrageously high expense by my local hospital's ER) to a relatively serious, deep cut on the inner/lower side of my big toe. By contrast, I've recently been using this over-the-counter "New-Skin Antiseptic Liquid Bandage" for several shallow, minor (albeit hard-to-heal) wintertime cuts on my fingers. These cuts have resulted partly from my recently having to do more than the usual amount of outdoor "yard work" coupled with the simple fact that it's been an unusually long and cold winter here in Kansas City, which made my skin more than usually susceptible to such minor nicks. Given that I'd had to continue doing such daily, vigorous, dirty yard work, and partly because I'd needed repeatedly to wash and disinfect those nicks, it wasn't altogether surprising that it was well nigh impossible for any healing scab to form fully or reliably.

Admittedly a bit belatedly, I went to Wal-Mart looking for more of the "Nexcare Liquid Bandaid" that I'd used the previous year (with moderate success). However, once in the store's "bandages" section, I noticed that this "New-Skin" product was available for only $3.48, about a buck less than the competing product. Moreover, instead of a relatively imprecise spray applicator (which, I'd noticed, no longer functioned after the amount of liquid product was largely yet not fully depleted), it employed a "brush-on applicator" that's permanently attached to the bottle's lid. Though this approach admittedly isn't entirely elegant (I found it necessary to let most of the thick, sticky, liquid solution drain back into the bottle after I'd removed the lid/brush), at least (with a little practice) it did allow far more precise control of each application of the "bandage" to my finger cut(s).

The blurbs on the product box (not to mention the web site "newskinproducts.com") are as follows:

Protects cuts and scrapes / Prevents and protects blisters / Covers Hangnails / Great for: Golfers, Bowlers, Hikers, Musicians, Knitters and more.

The product box states that the bottle will allow "over 50 applications". I can easily believe that. In fact, for small finger cuts or hangnails, I suspect you could get at least twice that many applications from one bottle--making it a very good value for the price.

Don't spill this product. According to the directions, it could stain "floors, countertops and other surfaces". I did accidentally get a bit of it on a white bathroom sink, and I noticed that it rather quickly formed a hardened deposit. But (per the directions) all I needed to do to remove it was to wipe it repeatedly with a small (still liquefied) amount of fresh product, and soon no residue remained.

The directions on the product box are as follows:

Clean affected area / apply small amount on the area 1 - 3 time daily / let dry / a second coating may be applied for extra protection / to remove, apply more New-Skin and quickly wipe off / fingernail polish remover may dissolve New-Skin.

According to the directions, you can apply either one or two coats of New-Skin to the affected area. (Allow the first application to dry; I noticed that gently blowing on it hastened drying). I especially appreciated that the "waterproof and dirt-proof" product application is, nonetheless, said to "breathe" such that air can still (more or less) get to the wound and assist with healing.

I wouldn't recommend playing with fire (!) anywhere near this product, which is said to be flammable. The "warnings" on the product box read as follows:

For external use only / flammable/ keep away from fire or flame.

One thing that some other reviewers criticized (but which I myself actually somewhat liked) is that there's a distinct "cloves" aroma that emanates from this product even after it's long dried on your skin. ("Oil of cloves" is one of the "inactive" ingredients, along with "6.7% alcohol" and "pyroxylin solution".) I can assure you that (after the application has fully dried and a bit of time has elapsed) that "cloves" aroma is sufficiently muted as to be scarcely noticed unless you put your nose somewhat near the dried application. That said, I was surprised at how long lasting that (subtle-but-unmistakable) aroma could be. If your olfactory sense is more sensitive than mine, perhaps you might notice this to a greater degree.

I likewise noticed that some reviewers criticized the fact that this product stings a bit when initially applied to the cut or wound. I found that there could indeed be some very noticeable stinging, but presumably this is from the antiseptic properties of this product, whose sole "active ingredient" is "8-hydroxyquinoline 1%". I was actually pleased to feel that bit of stinging, for it somewhat assured me that the antiseptic was working. In any case, the stinging was very tolerable and not very long lasting, and I think that those reviewers who dissed this product solely because of that were (forgive me) big sissies. ;-)

My healing experience with "New-Skin":

I noticed that it was generally necessary to reapply a fresh layer of New-Skin (sometimes after peeling away the previously applied layer, but more generally by simply applying a fresh layer over the previously applied layer). After about 12 to 24 hours had elapsed, I generally noticed that the outer edges of the "old" layer of New-Skin had begun to peel away slightly from my skin. Therefore, it was necessary to apply a fresh coat of New-Skin, especially to the outer edges of the previous application. I didn't consider this any reason to dislike the product; after all, if I'd instead used a conventional Band-Aid, I would generally have to replace each "old" Band-Aid once or twice daily. And, frankly, I found it to be slightly less hassle to reapply some of this New-Skin than to fuss with a conventional Band-Aid, which would also have been more unsightly and continually subject to shifting and loosening on--or coming totally loose from--my finger.

After about seven (or fewer) days of doing this, my previously "un-healable" finger cuts were fully healed. I also noticed that, especially after several days into the approximately weeklong healing process, some of the "daily" applications had become unnecessary, meaning that some of the "old" applications began more fully to adhere to my skin for at least two days.

I'm altogether pleased with "New-Skin", and I recommend you try it, provided that you're willing to (if necessary) apply a fresh layer of New-Skin approximately once daily till your cut is entirely healed. Note that (as the product box states), this product is not for deep cuts or puncture wounds. It's primarily intended for relatively minor cuts or nicks (though--according to the product box--it also can help you deal with such things as blisters, hangnails, and shaving nicks, not to mention the formation of calluses). I also suspect that it wouldn't work as well if used in certain "high-stress" areas of the body, as the bottom of one's toe or foot. In such areas--especially if the cut is relatively deep--it might be safer to thoroughly clean the wound; apply antibacterial ointment; and then apply a sterile, tightly fitting cloth bandage wrap for at least the first few days of the healing process. (Obviously, consulting your "family doctor" could be worth doing if your wound appears serious and/or infected.)

If you've any remaining questions about "New-Skin" that their aforementioned web site (newskinproducts.com) can't answer, you can phone the Medtech company at the toll-free number provided on the product box: 1-800-443-4908.