DermaSilk® Therapeutic Clothing is a new technological breakthrough that helps manage eczema and dermatitis using a patented system that has been proven in clinical trials to reduce the symptoms of itching and scratching and can be used in conjunction with existing therapies.

Silk – A natural and protective second skin

For many years silk has been known for its beneficial properties. Silk clothing can help regulate body temperature, remaining cool in the heat and providing insulation in the cold. It has a high capacity to absorb moisture – up to 30% of its own weight before it begins to feel damp, and can quickly eliminate this whilst the skin remains comfortable.

DermaSilk ® has been shown in published clinical trials to be significantly superior to cotton in relieving the signs and symptoms of dermatitis and eczema.

Worn as a second skin, DermaSilk ® breaks the terrible itch scratch cycle and at the same time helps maintain the moisture balance of the skin. It also, through its unique construction, allows the skin to breathe more easily. DermaSilk ® needs to be close fitting and in contact with the skin at all times to be fully effective. When used in combination with medical creams and ointments care should be taken to ensure that they are fully absorbed into the skin before the DermaSilk ® is worn.

Silk versus Cotton

Silk has a similar structure to human hair. It is made from fibres up to 800 metres long, giving garments a smooth, soft, irritant-free feel. The silk fibres expand in diameter as they absorb moisture and this is then quickly lifted away from the

skin. This enhances the natural moisturising effect of silk, leaving the skin softer and in a more natural healing environment.

Although cotton in the past has been considered the natural fibre of choice for people with delicate skin, the fact that it is a material of vegetable origin gives it a number of disadvantages compared to silk.

Firstly, cotton yarn is made of millions of individual fibres, each no more than 1 – 3 cm long. When seen under the microscope cotton cloth has a rough look to its surface with hundreds of visible loose ends. This tends to irritate delicate skin as the fibres twist when they absorb moisture and can scratch the skin’s surface.

Secondly, whilst cotton absorbs moisture it is not very efficient at transporting it away from the skin’s surface and it can quickly feel very damp. Cotton cloth cools as it dries out and this in turn cools the skin – leading to further water loss from the skin.

DermaSilk ® Is more than just silk it is an improvement on nature

Firstly the raw silk has been stripped of the outer coating, making it ideal for medical use. This is important because the outer coating, present in standard silk clothing has been associated with allergic reactions in some people. The remaining high grade fibres are then knitted into an open weave fabric which allows free passage of air and moisture. Secondly, medical scientists have developed a way of permanently bonding an antimicrobial substance to the surface of silk. This substance – Aegis Microbe Shield™ (AEM 5772/5) has been used for many years in preventing infection of hospital operating theatre fabrics and has been shown to be safe when placed in contact with the skin. It is odourless and colourless and maintains its activity throughout the fabric’s life even after repeated hand washing. (95% of its activity has been shown to remain after 50 washes). The antimicrobial does not transfer from the silk to the skin, unlike other impregnated antimicrobial materials.

DermaSilk ® Easy to live with

DermaSilk ® clothing is un-dyed, lightweight, body-forming and easy to wear. Unlike cotton garments they are not loose fitting, so they can be worn under almost any other form of clothing. Care of DermaSilk ® clothing is also easy. They should be hand washed using any mild non- biological detergent and laid flat to dry on a towel.