ALLEVYN LIFE NON BORDER

Some wound locations and patient circumstances call for the advanced exudate management of a four-layer fluid lock dressing but without an adhesive border. ALLEVYN Life Non Border is a four-layer foam dressing from Smith+Nephew that applies the fluid lock technology of the ALLEVYN Life range in a non-border format. It provides the same resistance to rewetting under compression as ALLEVYN Life, while giving the clinician complete freedom over the method and level of fixation. It contains no silver, no antimicrobial agent, and no adhesive. It is secured with a secondary fixation product of clinical choice. No prescription is required.

ALLEVYN Life Non Border is a regulated Class IIb medical device from Smith+Nephew. It is the non-adhesive version of ALLEVYN Life. The four-layer construction is the same as in ALLEVYN Life: a non-adherent wound contact layer, a highly absorbent foam core, a fluid lock layer, and a moisture vapour permeable film backing. The only difference is that there is no adhesive border. ALLEVYN Life Non Border is a free-standing foam pad that is placed on the wound and held in place with a secondary fixation product.

The fluid lock layer is the defining clinical feature of the ALLEVYN Life range. This layer captures absorbed exudate and retains it within the dressing structure, significantly reducing the rewetting effect that occurs when a standard foam dressing is subjected to compression. In standard foam dressings, compression during patient movement or when a patient rests against the dressing can redistribute absorbed fluid back toward the wound surface. The fluid lock layer resists this redistribution, maintaining the wound surface in a more consistently managed state throughout the wear period.

The absence of an adhesive border gives ALLEVYN Life Non Border clinical versatility. It can be used in situations where no adhesive can be applied to the periwound skin, where the wound is under compression bandaging, where frequent dressing changes make repeated adhesive removal inadvisable, or where the clinician or patient prefers to control the fixation method independently. This makes it suitable for a broader range of patients and wound locations than ALLEVYN Life with its acrylic adhesive border.

ALLEVYN Life Non Border contains no silver and no antimicrobial agent. It is suited to moderate to heavily exuding wounds that are clean and healing, where fluid lock rewetting resistance and exudate management are the clinical priorities.

ALLEVYN Life Non Border has no adhesive border and must be secured with a secondary fixation product after application. It contains no antimicrobial agent. If the wound shows signs of infection, seek clinical assessment. ALLEVYN Life Non Border alone is not appropriate for infected wounds.

Layer 1: Non Adherent Wound Contact Surface

The innermost layer sits directly on the wound surface and is non-adherent, allowing exudate to pass through into the absorbent layers above while minimising trauma to the wound bed at removal. The non-adherent contact surface is particularly valuable in the non-border format because without an adhesive border to hold the dressing, any adherence of the wound contact surface to the wound bed can make removal difficult. The non-adherent surface ensures the dressing can be lifted cleanly after removing the fixation product.

Layer 2: Absorbent Foam Core

The highly absorbent polyurethane foam wicks exudate upward from the wound contact surface, holding it away from the wound bed, preventing maceration of the wound surface and periwound skin, and maintaining a moist healing environment at the wound contact layer.

Layer 3: Fluid Lock Layer

The fluid lock layer captures absorbed exudate and retains it within the dressing structure. When the dressing is subjected to compression, absorbed fluid is held within the lock layer rather than being redistributed toward the wound surface. This rewetting resistance is the defining advantage of the ALLEVYN Life construction over standard three-layer foam dressings. In the non-border format this property is particularly relevant for wounds under compression bandaging — even when the bandage compresses the foam, the fluid lock layer retains absorbed exudate within the dressing.

Layer 4: Moisture Vapour Permeable Film Backing

The outer film layer allows moisture vapour to evaporate through the dressing, maintaining absorbent capacity throughout the wear period, while remaining waterproof to external fluids. There is no adhesive on this layer in ALLEVYN Life Non Border, it is a plain film surface that accepts fixation from a secondary product applied over it.

Fixation Flexibility

Because ALLEVYN Life Non Border has no integrated border, the fixation method is entirely determined by the clinical situation. For leg ulcers under compression bandaging, the bandage compresses the foam against the wound and also provides fixation. For wounds in areas where no adhesive can be applied, a tubular retention bandage or net dressing holds the foam in place. For wounds in areas of high friction, a wound retention sheet can be used. This flexibility makes ALLEVYN Life Non Border suitable for a wider range of body locations and patient types than its bordered equivalent.

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 the appropriate secondary fixation product before applying the dressing.

Application

• Select the appropriate size: 10.5cm x 10.5cm, 10cm x 20cm, or 16cm x 16cm. Ensure the foam pad covers the entire wound bed with a margin beyond the wound edges.
• Place the dressing over the wound with the wound contact surface facing the wound bed.
• Apply the secondary fixation product to secure the dressing in position. The fixation should cover the perimeter of the foam pad to prevent shifting.
• For venous leg ulcers, apply the compression bandage system over the dressing, the bandage provides fixation and compression simultaneously.
• Label with the date and time of application.

Wear Time and Removal

• ALLEVYN Life Non Border can be worn for up to seven days depending on exudate levels.
• Change when exudate reaches the edge of the foam pad, when the fixation product loosens, or at the scheduled change time.
• Remove the secondary fixation product first, then lift the foam pad from the wound surface.
• If the dressing has partially dried onto the wound surface, moisten with sterile saline before removal to minimise trauma.
• Assess the wound at each change. If signs of infection develop, review the dressing choice.

ALLEVYN Life Non Border 10.5cm x 10.5cm — Pack of 1

A medium-small size available as a single dressing. Suitable for moderate-sized wounds, trialling the product on a specific wound before committing to a larger pack, and clinical settings where individual dispensing is preferred. The 10.5cm x 10.5cm size covers a moderate wound area with adequate margin.

ALLEVYN Life Non Border 10cm x 20cm — Pack of 1

A rectangular size available as a single dressing. Suitable for elongated wounds including lower leg ulcers and longer wound sites where a rectangular format provides better coverage than a square. The 10cm x 20cm single pack is suitable for trialling or for patients managing a specific wound requiring this format.

ALLEVYN Life Non Border 16cm x 16cm — Pack of 10

A larger square size available in a pack of 10, making it the most economical configuration for regular clinical use or for patients with ongoing wound management requirements. The 16cm x 16cm size provides broad foam coverage for larger wound areas including pressure ulcers and larger venous leg ulcer areas. The pack of 10 is suited to community nursing settings, clinical environments, or home use under clinical supervision where regular dressing changes are planned.

When selecting a size, ensure the foam pad covers the entire wound bed. A foam pad that does not fully cover the wound leaves areas without the fluid lock protection and may allow the foam edges to contact uncovered wound tissue.

Do Not Use ALLEVYN Life Non Border If

• The patient has a known allergy or hypersensitivity to polyurethane foam or any component of the dressing.
• The wound is actively infected - ALLEVYN Life Non Border contains no antimicrobial agent.
• The wound is dry or minimally exuding - an absorbent foam may desiccate the wound surface.

Precautions

• ALLEVYN Life Non Border 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 border.
• Do not apply secondary fixation so tightly that it restricts blood flow, particularly in patients with peripheral vascular disease or diabetes.
• Reassess at each 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

• Wound desiccation if exudate falls significantly during treatment - reassess dressing choice.
• Friction or wound bed disruption if secondary fixation is inadequate and the dressing moves on the wound surface.

ALLEVYN Life Non Border Is Suitable For

• Patients with moderate to heavily exuding wounds where fluid lock rewetting resistance is clinically indicated and where no adhesive border can be applied to the periwound skin
• Venous leg ulcers under compression bandaging, where the bandage provides both compression and fixation over the foam pad
• Wounds in patients who have experienced skin damage from repeated adhesive border removal and where the non-border format eliminates this concern
• Wound locations where bandage or retention dressing fixation provides better security than an adhesive border
• Clinical settings requiring a pack of 10 for ongoing wound management programmes
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision

Both products share the same four-layer fluid lock construction. The difference is fixation. ALLEVYN Life has an acrylic adhesive border for self-adhesion on intact periwound skin. ALLEVYN Life Non Border has no border and requires secondary fixation. Choose ALLEVYN Life Non Border when no adhesive is appropriate for the periwound skin or when secondary fixation is clinically preferred. Choose ALLEVYN Life when self-adhesion is convenient and the periwound skin is robust enough to tolerate an acrylic adhesive border.

Both are non-border foam dressings requiring secondary fixation. ALLEVYN Ag Non Adhesive contains silver sulfate for antimicrobial infection management but does not have a fluid lock layer. ALLEVYN Life Non Border has a fluid lock layer but no silver. Choose ALLEVYN Ag Non Adhesive when infection management is the priority. Choose ALLEVYN Life Non Border when fluid lock rewetting resistance is the priority and the wound is clean.

ALLEVYN Life Non Border is a regulated medical device and does not require a prescription. It can be purchased directly through Pharmacy Planet without a clinical consultation in three configurations: 10.5cm x 10.5cm (pack of 1), 10cm x 20cm (pack of 1), and 16cm x 16cm (pack of 10).

Pharmacy Planet stocks ALLEVYN Life Non Border alongside ALLEVYN Life (adhesive border), ALLEVYN Ag Non Adhesive, and the full ALLEVYN range. Our pharmacists can advise on the most appropriate ALLEVYN Life format for a specific wound and patient.

For complex wounds or wounds not healing as expected, seek clinical assessment from a tissue viability nurse, district nurse, or GP alongside your dressing purchase.

• 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 stocking the full ALLEVYN Life range including ALLEVYN Life Non Border in all three configurations, alongside ALLEVYN Life and the full ALLEVYN Ag range. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

Our pharmacists are available to advise on whether ALLEVYN Life Non Border or another ALLEVYN Life format is most appropriate for a specific wound, and on suitable secondary fixation options.

References

1. Smith+Nephew. ALLEVYN Life Non Border 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. NHS. Pressure sores (pressure ulcers). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pressure-sores. Accessed May 2026.