Why are silicones used in health care?

Medical applications and infant care products with silicone can satisfy the highest quality standards demanded by health care professionals and their patients. Resistant to bacteria, silicones are easy to sterilise and are excellent for sensitive applications, such as respiratory tubing and topical medications. Silicones do not react with other materials and do not irritate the body. They are also hypoallergenic so they can be used safely for skin contact use as well as intravenously. Of course silicones used in medical applications are subject to thorough testing and regulations that ensure their safety.

Where used as a coating on needles and syringes, silicones reduce pain on entering the skin and reduce drag on the syringe barrel. Silicones’ adhesion properties also contribute to improvements in safe wound management.

Prosthetics and joints

Silicones closely approximates the texture and consistency of skin, and offers exceptional cushioning and comfort. Silicone-based prosthetics or artificial joints have the durability to retain their shape, providing maximum comfort and safety in these sensitive applications. They also resist bacterial growth and help reduce the risk of infections.