Ansell Healthcare Europe has announced the launch of HydraSoft, an innovative hydrating coating technology for surgical gloves. Designed to retain moisture and rehydrate users’ skin during use, HydraSoft has been specifically developed for surgeons’ hands, to help maintain the skin’s natural barrier function.
New coating technology hydrates hands
Composed of neutral, odourless ingredients in the gloves’ inner lining, HydraSoft technology is designed to protect skin from drying, cracking and penetration by foreign substances. HydraSoft contains a skin-friendly, humectant moisturiser combined with Dimethicone, which forms a protective barrier that blocks attacks from foreign substances and prevents the skin from drying out. HydraSoft’s hydrating qualities even outlast glove use; laboratory tests have shown that after only one hour of wearing gloves with HydraSoft technology, most users’ hands revealed an increase of 47% in retained moisture content five minutes after removal and of 98% after 30 minutes.
Ansell plans to first introduce HydraSoft coating technology into its powder-free latex surgical glove, Gammex PF. Results from user tests in Germany and Finland have established that Gammex PF HydraSoft gloves are noticeably easier to don and remove, due to the enhanced lubrication provided by the coating.
