ALLEVYN GENTLE

Dressing changes can be one of the most uncomfortable aspects of wound management, particularly when the dressing adheres to a fragile or newly forming wound surface. ALLEVYN Gentle is a soft silicone wound contact dressing from Smith+Nephew designed to minimise trauma and pain at dressing removal. A soft silicone wound contact layer sits directly on the wound surface, preventing the dressing from adhering to the wound bed or the surrounding skin while still managing exudate through an absorbent foam core. It contains no silver, no antimicrobial agent, and no adhesive border. It is held in place with a secondary fixation product. No prescription is required.

ALLEVYN Gentle is a regulated Class IIb medical device from Smith+Nephew. It is a two-layer dressing combining a soft silicone wound contact layer with a hydrocellular polyurethane foam absorbent core. The defining feature of ALLEVYN Gentle is the silicone wound contact surface. Unlike standard wound dressings where the wound-facing layer may adhere to the wound bed or surrounding skin, the soft silicone layer of ALLEVYN Gentle does not bond to moist tissue. This allows the dressing to be removed from the wound with minimal force, reducing trauma, pain, and disruption to newly formed tissue.

The word "Gentle" in the product name refers to this atraumatic wound contact property, not to a gentle adhesive border. ALLEVYN Gentle has no adhesive border at all, it is a free-standing dressing pad held in place by a secondary fixation product. This distinguishes it from the ALLEVYN Gentle Border range, which adds a soft silicone adhesive border around the foam pad for self-adhesion, and from ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border, which adds silver sulfate antimicrobial activity to the same gentle border format.

ALLEVYN Gentle contains no antimicrobial agent. It is a purely physical wound dressing for exudate management, moist wound healing, and atraumatic dressing changes. It is most suited to wounds where the wound bed is fragile, where granulation tissue or new epithelium is forming, or where the patient has experienced pain or wound bed disruption with previous dressings.

ALLEVYN Gentle is indicated for use on moderately exuding wounds with a fragile wound bed, skin tears, superficial and partial thickness wounds in patients with sensitive or fragile skin, and wounds in patients with conditions that affect skin integrity. It is also suitable as a primary wound contact layer for wounds in locations that are difficult to dress with adhesive products, where the secondary fixation method provides better coverage.

ALLEVYN Gentle contains no silver or antimicrobial agent. It cannot manage wound infection. If the wound shows signs of infection, increasing pain, spreading redness, warmth, offensive odour, or a wound that is deteriorating rather than healing, seek clinical assessment. An antimicrobial dressing such as ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border or ALGISITE Ag may be more appropriate for infected or at-risk wounds.

Soft Silicone Wound Contact Layer

The wound facing surface of ALLEVYN Gentle is coated with soft silicone. Soft silicone does not bond chemically to moist tissue. When placed on the wound surface, the silicone layer maintains gentle contact with the wound bed without adhering to it. This means the dressing can be lifted away from the wound at the time of removal without pulling on the wound surface, disrupting granulation tissue, or stripping newly formed epithelium. The silicone layer also allows wound exudate to pass through into the foam absorbent core while maintaining its non-adherent contact with the wound.

Hydrocellular Foam Absorbent Core

Behind the silicone wound contact layer, the hydrocellular polyurethane foam core absorbs wound exudate drawn through from the wound surface. The foam holds the absorbed fluid away from the wound bed and maintains a moist wound environment at the silicone contact surface. A moist wound environment supports cell migration, reduces pain during dressing changes, and facilitates the natural healing process. The foam retains absorbed exudate under light compression, reducing the risk of fluid being returned to the wound surface when the dressing is covered or the patient moves.

Atraumatic Removal and Wound Bed Preservation

The primary clinical value of ALLEVYN Gentle is the combination of these two layers: exudate is managed by the foam while the silicone prevents adherence of the dressing to the wound bed. This is particularly important during the proliferative phase of wound healing when granulation tissue and new epithelium are forming. Disruption of these fragile new tissue structures at each dressing change can delay healing, increase pain, and cause patient distress. ALLEVYN Gentle is designed to be removed without causing this disruption.

Before Application

• Wash hands and use appropriate gloves.
• Clean the wound with sterile saline or as directed by a healthcare professional.
• Gently dry the surrounding skin.
• Select an appropriate secondary fixation product before applying the dressing.

Application

• Choose the appropriate size from 10cm x 10cm or 10cm x 20cm so that the dressing covers the wound bed with a margin beyond the wound edges.
• Place the dressing over the wound with the silicone coated surface facing the wound bed. The silicone surface is typically the softer, slightly textured side.
• Secure with an appropriate secondary fixation product such as a cohesive bandage, tubular retention bandage, wound retention dressing, or film dressing. The choice depends on wound location, patient preference, and clinical requirement.
• Label with the date and time of application.

Wear Time and Removal

• ALLEVYN Gentle can be worn for up to seven days depending on exudate levels. Change earlier if the foam core reaches capacity or clinical assessment indicates the wound needs review.
• To remove, gently lift the dressing from the wound surface. The silicone layer should release from the wound bed without resistance. If any slight adherence is noted, moisten with sterile saline before removal.
• Unlike adhesive dressings, ALLEVYN Gentle does not need to be peeled from adhesive borders. The dressing is simply lifted away after removing the secondary fixation product.
• Assess the wound at each change and confirm the dressing remains appropriate for the current wound condition and exudate level.
• ALLEVYN Gentle has no adhesive and must be secured with a secondary fixation product. Ensure the fixation covers the perimeter of the dressing pad to prevent it from shifting. A dressing that moves on the wound surface can cause friction and trauma even without adhesive.

ALLEVYN Gentle — 10cm x 10cm

Suitable for moderate-sized wounds including localised pressure ulcers, smaller venous leg ulcer areas, acute wounds, skin tears, and post-operative sites where atraumatic wound contact is needed. A versatile size for a wide range of wound locations. Can be cut to fit smaller or irregular wounds using sterile scissors.

ALLEVYN Gentle — 10cm x 20cm

A larger rectangular size suitable for extended wounds including larger venous leg ulcers, longer post-operative wounds, and wounds covering a broader surface area. Suitable for wounds where the 10cm x 10cm size does not provide adequate coverage. Can also be cut to fit irregularly shaped wounds. The rectangular format is particularly useful for wounds on the lower leg where a longer coverage area is needed.

When selecting a size, ensure the dressing covers the entire wound bed with a margin beyond the wound edges on all sides. A dressing that does not fully cover the wound bed leaves areas of the wound unprotected and may allow the foam edge to contact the wound, which can cause adherence at the margins.

Do Not Use ALLEVYN Gentle If

• The patient has a known allergy or hypersensitivity to silicone or any component of the dressing.
• The wound is actively infected. ALLEVYN Gentle has no antimicrobial function. For infected or at-risk wounds, an antimicrobial dressing is more appropriate.
• The wound is dry or has very minimal exudate. On a very dry wound, even a silicone contact layer may cause some adherence as the wound surface dries around the dressing.

Precautions

• ALLEVYN Gentle is a single use product. Do not reuse or reapply a used dressing.
• Ensure adequate secondary fixation. A dressing that moves on the wound surface can cause friction and delay healing even without an adhesive component.
• Reassess at each dressing change. If the wound develops signs of infection, consider switching to an antimicrobial dressing.
• Do not use MRI scanning with the dressing in place. Remove before MRI procedures.

Adverse Effects

• Skin sensitivity or irritation at the wound margin. Silicone is generally very well tolerated but reactions can occur. Discontinue if persistent.
• If the secondary fixation product causes skin reaction, consider an alternative fixation method.
• Wound bed desiccation if exudate levels fall and the dressing is not reviewed, reassess dressing selection if the wound becomes drier.

ALLEVYN Gentle Is Suitable For Use On

• Skin tears and superficial wounds where atraumatic removal is critical to avoid further skin damage
• Wounds with fragile granulation tissue or new epithelium forming, where disruption at dressing changes would set back the healing process
• Patients who have experienced significant pain or wound disruption with previous dressings and for whom a gentler wound contact surface is clinically indicated
• Moderately exuding wounds on patients with conditions affecting skin integrity, including steroid-dependent patients, elderly patients with thin skin, or patients with conditions such as epidermolysis bullosa
• Wounds in locations where secondary fixation provides better coverage and security than an adhesive border
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision

ALLEVYN Gentle Is Not Suitable For

• Actively infected wounds - use an antimicrobial dressing
• Dry or minimally exuding wounds where a more hydrating dressing type is needed
• Patients with known silicone allergy

ALLEVYN Gentle sits within the non-adhesive, non-antimicrobial part of the ALLEVYN range. For infected or at-risk wounds where gentle wound contact and antimicrobial silver are both needed, ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border provides silver sulfate within a gentle border format. For infected wounds where no adhesive at all is appropriate, ALLEVYN Ag Non-Adhesive is the silver-containing equivalent. ALLEVYN Gentle is the choice when the wound is clean and healing, atraumatic removal is the priority, and no adhesive or antimicrobial is needed.

ALLEVYN Gentle is a regulated medical device and does not require a prescription. It can be purchased directly through Pharmacy Planet without a clinical consultation. It is available in two sizes: 10cm x 10cm and 10cm x 20cm.

Pharmacy Planet stocks a comprehensive range of ALLEVYN products including ALLEVYN Gentle, ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border, ALLEVYN Ag Non Adhesive, ALLEVYN Adhesive, ALLEVYN Adhesive Sacrum, ALLEVYN Ag Sacrum, and ALLEVYN Ag Heel, alongside the full ACTICOAT and ALGISITE ranges and a range of secondary fixation and wound care products.

For complex wounds, wounds that are not healing, or patients with significant skin conditions, seek clinical assessment from a tissue viability nurse, district nurse, or GP alongside your dressing purchases.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• Store below 25°C.
• Keep in the original sealed packaging until immediately before use.
• Each dressing is individually sterile packed. Do not use if the packaging is damaged or compromised.
• Check the expiry date before use. Do not use after the expiry date.
• Once opened, apply immediately.
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Dispose of used dressings as clinical waste in accordance with local guidelines.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy providing access to professional grade wound care products including ALLEVYN Gentle in both available sizes. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

Our pharmacists are available to advise on whether ALLEVYN Gentle, one of the ALLEVYN Ag formats, or a different wound care product is most appropriate for a specific wound type, stage of healing, and patient skin condition.

References

1. Smith+Nephew. ALLEVYN Gentle Wound Dressing — Instructions for Use. Smith+Nephew Medical Ltd. https://www.smith-nephew.com. Accessed May 2026.
2. Wounds UK. Best Practice Statement: Wound exudate — effective assessment and management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed May 2026.
3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Wound care products — Drug Tariff prescribing and selection. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
4. Wounds UK. Skin tears: a guide to prevention and management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed May 2026.