We conducted over 50 hours of in-depth interviews and observational sessions with patients and involved over 850 clinicians from around the world.
From this research we now know that complete wound care means far more than just physical healing, particularly to patients living with their wounds 24/7:
- Leakage, visible strikethrough and odour can be embarrassing and stigmatising 1,2
- Poor cushioning from knocks and bumps can cause fear and pain 1,2
- Dressings that don’t stay in place and fall off are highly frustrating 1,2
- Frequent dressing changes and slow wound healing cause anxiety 1,2

This inspired the development of ALLEVYN Life which is a multi-layered dressing incorporating hydrocellular foam, hyper-absorber lock away core and masking layer designed specifically for people and their everyday life.
Mode of Action
Discretion Layer for Patient Confidence
The masking layer minimises the visual impact of strikethrough3, providing the patient with confidence that their dressing may not attract the negative attention of others.
The masking layer acts as a change indicator which optimises dressing change frequency4 and minimises wastage.
How does ALLEVYN Life's Performance Compare?

*Tested on MepilexTM Border
Lock-away Layer Providing Patient Peace of Mind
In addition to its hydrocellular foam layer, ALLEVYN Life has a hyper-absorber lock away core providing excellent fluid locking under pressure5(in-vitro), absorbs common wound odours when tested (in-vitro) on representative compounds6 and provides the patient with peace of mind leakage prevention5, (in-vitro).
How does ALLEVYN Life's Performance Compare?

*Tested on Mepilex Border
Cushioning Layer for Maximum Protection
ALLEVYN Life’s multi-layered design (hydrocellular foam, hyper-absorber lock away core and masking layer) provides cushioning and helps to spread pressure7 (in-vitro) so the patients can feel comforted that they are cushioned against everyday trauma.8
How does ALLEVYN Life's Performance Compare?

*Tested on Mepilex Border
References
1. International consensus. Optimising wellbeing in people living with a wound. An expert working group. London: Wounds International, 2012.
2. Patient interviews: www.wellbeingwithawound.com/hcp/what-is-wellbeing.
3. Smith & Nephew data on file report DS/12/129/DOF Simulated wound model testing of ALLEVYN Life and Mepilex Border.
4. Stephen- Haynes et al., An appraisal of the clinical performance and economic benefits of a silicone foam in a large UK primary care organisation. Journal of Community Nursing 2013.
5. Smith & Nephew data on file report DS/12/130/DOF Simulated wound model testing of ALLEVYN Life and Mepilex Border.
6. Smith & Nephew data on file report DS/12/127/DOF Odour reducing properties of ALLEVYN Life.
7. Smith & Nephew data on file report DS/12/185/DOF Impact protection properties of ALLEVYN Life, Mepilex Border and Biatain SiliconeTM.
8. OR-DOF/024 - An open, prospective, randomised, volunteer trial to assess ALLEVYN Life. dressings in terms of volunteer’s perception of protection.
