ProSkin: TENA’s 3 easy steps to protect elderly skin

Managing skin is a vital part of managing incontinence. With 70.9% of residents in residential aged care facilities and more than 50% of individuals at home with incontinence, this is a serious matter.

Why do we need to take extra care of elderly skin?

As we age many changes occur to the skin. Changes to the dermis make the skin thinner, less elastic, and less robust. Reduced blood supply to the skin slows the healing process. The skin becomes dryer, more sensitive, and bacteria from urine or faeces can cause skin breakdown. Dry skin, fungal infections, and several forms of dermatitis are most prevalent in aged populations.

What is best for elderly skin?

Non-soap formulas are now recommended as best practice. This is because surfactants in soap can be abrasive to skin, irritate the skin and can cause dermatitis to the skin. Skin cleansing with natural soap is not recommended because the alkaline pH of these products has the potential to damage the skin barrier. TENA formulas are ‘soap free’ and contain emulsions to cleanse, moisturise and protect the skin. TENA formulas are also at the same pH of the skin, to maintain the skin barrier function.

Why use TENA’s new Proskin system?

TENA has 50 years’ experience in continuous innovation and their products are used in over 40 countries worldwide. TENA has spent several years conducting research and rigorously testing a new skincare and product range, that will look after elderly skin. They’re proud to state that they are the first incontinence range to be endorsed by the Skin Health Alliance, a leading global group of dermatologists. TENA has also designed a specific skin moisture test to measure moisture left on the skin. This test has been validated by the South Hampton University in the UK.

How does the new Proskin system help the skin?

It does this with an easy 3 step system. 1: Keeping the skin dry. 2: Keeping skin clean. And 3: Keeping skin protected.

Step 1: Keep skin dry

This can be achieved by using TENA’s continence products designed to keep the skin dry. TENA’s products contain a unique ‘feel dry’ technology. The fast absorbing top sheets rapidly absorb moisture to maintain skin dryness, a healthy skin climate and pH, and to keep the skin barrier intact. Prolonged water contact has been identified as the major factor in the development of incontinence associated dermatitis.

Step 2: Keep skin clean

TENA have a range of products in their new Proskin range that can keep skin clean and reduce the build up of bacteria and moisture on the skin.

TENA Wash Cream and TENA Soft Wipe: TENA have a Wash Cream that can be used with a TENA Dry Wipe. It is a 3-in-1 product that cleanses, moisturises, and protects. It is a no rinse emulsion.

TENA Wet Wipes: A 3-in-1 pre-moistened extra soft wipe that gently cleanses, restores and protects the skin.

TENA Shampoo and Shower: A mild dual purpose cleansing gel and conditioning shampoo designed for elderly skin and hair.

Step 3: Keep skin protected

This range restores natural moisture to the skin and protects the skin from external irritants that could cause damage.

TENA Body Lotion: A mild gentle moisturiser for the whole body. It helps to restore the natural moisture balance of the skin and best practice guidelines recommend use twice a day to reduce the risk of skin tears.

TENA Barrier Cream: A protective transparent cream that is water repellent and can protect the skin from bacteria or excessive moisture and reduce the risk of Incontinence associated dermatitis (IAD).

Looking after elderly skin improves quality of life and reduces the risk of skin tears. TENA believes their new ProSkin system can improve elderly fragile skin.