Try these useful tips to help keep your HRT patches securely in place:
- Avoid Oily or Moisturizing Products: When showering or bathing, steer clear of products with oils or moisturizing properties, or at least avoid using them on the area where you’ll apply your patch. These products can leave a residue that makes it harder for the patch to stick.
- Ensure Skin is Completely Dry: Make sure your skin is thoroughly dry, especially after a shower or bath. If possible, wait an hour before applying the patch to ensure all moisture has evaporated.
- Avoid Powder-Based Products: Don’t use talcum powder, powder-based deodorants, or similar products on the application area, as they can leave a residue that makes the patch less adhesive.
- Handle with Care: When applying the patch, avoid touching the sticky side to prevent compromising its ability to adhere.
- Select the Right Location: Place the patch on an area with minimal hair and little movement during daily activities, such as the buttocks, lower abdomen, or outer thigh. Avoid areas that frequently bend or crease.
- Press Firmly: Once the patch is applied, press it firmly with the palm of your hand for 10-20 seconds to help it adhere securely.
- Avoid High-Heat Areas: Refrain from applying the patch to areas that might become very warm, such as near a heating pad or under tight clothing, as heat can affect the adhesive.
- Use a Transparent Film Dressing: If your patch still has trouble staying on, consider covering it with a waterproof transparent adhesive film dressing (like Tegaderm) to keep it in place during bathing or sweating.
- Apply in the Evening: Applying the patch in the evening, when your skin is cooler and less sweaty, can help the adhesive bond more effectively.
- Rotate Application Sites: To prevent skin irritation and ensure better adhesion, rotate the application sites as recommended, switching between different areas of the lower abdomen, for example.
