How does DermaSilk work?

 

DermaSilk Therapeutic Clothing is classed as a Medical Device and is very different from shop-bought silk. The garments are made from low friction, non-irritant cylindrical threads of hypo-allergenic sericin-free silk, which is knitted to give them breathability and protected with an antimicrobial to keep the fabric free of bacterial contamination. The result is an article of bespoke protective clothing for eczematous skin which helps calm irritation and itch.

 
How does DermaSilk work?

Treats all flares rather than individual flares

It is used as a preventative base layer of underclothing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, used under normal underwear and nightwear.

Has built-in natural moisturisers

DermaSilk has natural moisturising properties, consequently, it needs only a small amount of emollient to be applied to the skin before it is worn. Often, the frequency of application of moisturisers can be reduced by the use of DermaSilk.

Is free of potentially sensitising dyes

All children’s DermaSilk garments only come in their natural silk colour. No dyes are used which might provoke allergic reactions and the permanently bonded antimicrobial finish on the silk fibres protects them from contamination without sensitising the skin as it does not move out of the fabric and onto the skin, unlike compounds such as silver.

Has soft seam technology

The soft seams on the garments have minimal stitching and on the smaller garments the seams are on the outside of the garments, further reducing irritation. As the garments are manufactured slowly, by specialist seamstresses, the thread used in manufacture doesn’t need to be lubricated, thus removing another potential source of irritation.

Helps reduce the ‘itch-scratch cycle’

Its special knitted construction allows the free movement of air through the fabric, allowing the skin to breathe more easily. It also has a greater ability to absorb and disperse moisture than cotton. These two features allow the body to regulate temperature and humidity more efficiently, thus promoting faster healing.

Prevents and controls skin infections

The permanent antimicrobial agent that is bonded to the fabric controls and prevents skin infections without altering the natural bacterial flora of the skin and mucosa. Eczema affected skin has been shown to have more bacteria present on the surface and there is a clear link between these bacteria and the aggravation of eczema symptoms, so any ability to reduce the bacterial load on the surface of the skin should have a positive effect on eczema.

Not all silk is made equally

DermaSilk is not like any other silk garments that you can buy from shops. Standard, shiny woven silk does now allow the free movement of air and has not been shown in controlled clinical trials to perform in the same way as DermaSilk. DermaSilk is clinically proven.

 

How is DermaSilk different?

Silk is made up of a double filament of a protein called fibroin, glued together with a sticky substance called sericin. Each silk thread is up to 800 metres long, producing a perfectly smooth friction-free fibre. However, there are 3 reasons not to use ‘High Street’ silk clothes on sensitive skin.

1)     They are made from a very tightly woven the fabric which restricts the movement of air through it. Old parachutes were made from woven silk specifically to trap air underneath them and most woven silk garments possess the same property which is undesirable in helping sensitive skin.

2)     The sericin in pure silk has been linked to allergic reactions. This is why surgical silk, used in sutures and DermaSilk utilises only the fibroin component of silk. Most shop-bought silk garments contain significant quantities of sericin.

3)     Silk acts as a natural food source for bacteria so unprotected silk is a definite ‘no-no’ when it comes to atopic skin. The antimicrobial is unique to DermaSilk and prevents bacteria from building up on the fabric and feasting upon it. This helps to keep the bacterial load on the skin to a healthy level.

To learn more about DermaSilk visit our website today.