Description
3M Steri-Strip Adhesive Skin Closures — Box of 50
3M Steri-Strips are reinforced adhesive wound closure strips used to hold the edges of a wound together after cleaning, suturing, or a minor procedure. Porous and skin-toned, they sit flat against the skin and provide a low-profile way to support skin edges without the tissue trauma of additional sutures — which is why they're a standard item in podiatry, general practice, and minor surgery settings across Australia.
Each box contains 50 sterile, individually packaged strips. Available in four sizes to suit different wound lengths and anatomical sites. Also commonly searched as steri strip, sterile strips, or steri-strips — same product.
Which size do you need?
Strip width determines holding strength; length determines how much skin either side of the wound the strip can anchor to.
- 3mm x 75mm — the narrowest option. Suited to small, fine wounds and delicate sites where multiple narrow strips give better control than one wide one. Common for digital and nail-bed work.
- 6mm x 75mm — the most widely used size and the usual default for general clinical stock. Enough width for reliable holding across most minor incisions, with adequate length to anchor either side.
- 6mm x 38mm — same width, shorter length. Useful on curved or confined surfaces such as toes and digits, where a longer strip won't lie flat.
- 12mm x 100mm — the widest and longest. For larger wounds needing greater holding strength, or where you want fewer strips across a longer closure line.
If you're stocking a single size for general use, 6mm x 75mm covers the widest range of situations. Podiatry clinics doing regular nail surgery often keep 6mm x 38mm alongside it.
How to apply
Ensure the skin is clean and completely dry — Steri-Strips will not adhere reliably to moist or oily skin. An adhesive barrier film such as Skin-Prep applied either side of the wound (not into it) significantly improves adhesion and wear time. Bring the wound edges into apposition, then apply the first strip at the midpoint of the wound. Work outward alternately, spacing strips with small gaps between them to allow drainage. Some clinicians add strips running parallel to the wound at each end to reduce edge lifting.
Steri-Strips vs sutures vs tissue adhesive
All three approximate skin edges, but they suit different situations. Sutures provide the strongest closure and are appropriate for wounds under tension or through deeper tissue, but require removal and leave puncture marks. Tissue adhesive is quick and needs no removal, though it suits short, clean, low-tension wounds best. Steri-Strips sit between the two — they're atraumatic, need no removal appointment, and are often used to support a wound after sutures come out. They're less suitable over joints, on very mobile skin, or on wounds under significant tension.
Frequently asked questions
How long do Steri-Strips stay on?
They're generally left in place until they begin to lift at the edges and fall off naturally, which is commonly around 5 to 10 days depending on the site, moisture exposure, and skin condition. Follow the specific advice given by the clinician who applied them rather than removing them to a fixed schedule.
Can Steri-Strips get wet?
Brief incidental moisture is usually tolerated, but soaking will loosen the adhesive and shorten wear time considerably. Keep the area as dry as practical, pat rather than rub after washing, and consider a waterproof cover over the top for showering if advised.
How do I remove Steri-Strips?
Peel each strip slowly from both ends toward the middle, keeping it flat against the skin rather than pulling upward, and support the surrounding skin with your other hand. If a strip resists, moistening it can help release the adhesive. Never pull a strip straight off the wound.
Do Steri-Strips leave a scar?
The strips themselves don't create scarring — they're applied to the skin surface rather than passing through it. Scarring depends on the wound itself, its depth and tension, and individual healing. Because Steri-Strips help keep wound edges neatly apposed without additional puncture points, they're frequently used with scar appearance in mind.
What's the difference between Steri-Strips and butterfly closures?
Both bring wound edges together. Butterfly closures are individual narrow-waisted plasters designed for very small wounds. Steri-Strips are reinforced, sterile, and supplied in a range of sizes for clinical use, with more consistent adhesion and holding strength across longer closure lines.
Are Steri-Strips sterile?
Yes — each strip is supplied sterile and individually packaged, making them suitable for use on fresh surgical and procedural wounds.
For securing dressings over a closed wound, see our Hypafix adhesive retention tape. Fast delivery across Australia.