Quick answer: Hypafix is a soft, stretchable non-woven adhesive sheet used to hold wound dressings in place. It comes on a roll so you can cut it to any size, it is breathable and latex-free, and it gives light compression without constriction, which makes it well suited to joints and curved areas like elbows and knees. It is a dressing retention tape, not a wound dressing, so it goes over a primary dressing rather than directly on an open wound.

What is Hypafix?

Hypafix is a dressing retention sheet made by BSN medical. It is made of soft non-woven polyester with a skin-friendly adhesive on a split backing paper. Clinics and hospitals use it instead of narrow surgical tape when they need to secure a dressing over a wider area.

It is supplied as a continuous roll, usually 10 metres long, in several widths. You cut a piece to the size you need, which reduces waste compared with pre-cut dressings.

Key features

• Wide-area fixation: covers and secures the whole dressing, not just the edges.
• Stretchable and conformable: moves with the skin on joints and highly contoured parts of the body.
• Light compression without constriction: holds dressings firmly without cutting off circulation.
• Breathable: lets air and moisture vapour pass through.
• Skin-friendly adhesive: holds the dressing even when there is some moisture.
• Cut to size: one roll covers many dressing sizes.
• Latex-free.

What is Hypafix used for?

• Securing primary dressings on surgical incisions and wounds.
• Holding gauze, foam or absorbent pads in place.
• Fixing dressings on awkward areas such as elbows, knees, shoulders, heels and fingers.

How to apply Hypafix, step by step

1. Prepare the skin. Make sure the skin around the wound is clean and completely dry. On hairy areas, clip the hair rather than shaving it.
2. Place the primary dressing over the wound as directed.
3. Cut the sheet to size. Cut a piece of Hypafix large enough to extend beyond the edges of the dressing on every side. Rounding the corners helps stop the edges from lifting.
4. Peel back part of the liner. Remove one section of the backing paper and anchor that edge onto the skin.
5. Smooth it on without stretching. Remove the rest of the liner gradually while smoothing the sheet over the dressing. Avoid pulling the sheet tight, which can cause skin tension and blisters.
6. Press the edges down firmly so the adhesive bonds to the skin.

How to remove Hypafix gently

• Loosen one corner and peel the sheet back low and slow, close to the skin, rather than pulling it straight up.
• Support the skin with your other hand as you peel.
• Peel in the direction of hair growth.
• On fragile or elderly skin, use an adhesive tape remover pad to release the adhesive and reduce discomfort.

Hypafix compared with other ways to secure a dressing

For an all-in-one sterile option, see Mepore Pro post-op dressings. For a see-through option, see 3M Tegaderm transparent film dressings.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hypafix a wound dressing?

No. Hypafix is a dressing retention sheet. It holds a primary dressing, such as gauze or a foam pad, in place. It should not be placed directly on an open wound.

Is Hypafix latex-free?

Yes. Hypafix is latex-free, which makes it suitable for clinics that avoid latex products.

Can Hypafix be cut to size?

Yes. It comes on a roll and can be cut to any shape or size, so one roll covers many different dressing sizes with little waste.

Is Hypafix good for joints like knees and elbows?

Yes. It is soft and stretchable and gives light compression without constriction, so it moves with the skin on joints and other curved areas.

Can you get Hypafix wet?

Its adhesive is designed to keep holding even in the presence of some moisture, but it is not a waterproof dressing. Follow the instructions for the primary dressing underneath and change it if it becomes soaked.

How long can Hypafix stay on?

How long it stays in place depends on the primary dressing and the wound. In most cases it is changed whenever the dressing underneath is changed, or as directed by a healthcare professional.

Where can I buy Hypafix in Canada?

Medoptimal supplies Hypafix fixation tape to clinics, long-term care homes and healthcare facilities across Canada.

Ordering for your clinic

Stock up on Hypafix fixation tape and the wound care supplies that go with it, including Mepore Pro dressings, Mepore Film and Pad dressings and adhesive tape remover pads. Setting up a new clinic? Our turn-key clinical setup team can help.

This guide is for general information about wound dressing supplies. It is not medical advice. Follow your clinical protocols and the manufacturer’s instructions for use.