Hansaplast

Hansaplast – plasters, foot care and first aid for every day

Hansaplast is the plaster and first aid brand of the German company Beiersdorf AG, based in Hamburg. The first plasters with a wound pad were sold under the Hansaplast name in 1922, and today the range covers wound plasters for different situations and skin types, plasters for children, blister plasters, foot creams with urea, foot sprays, fixation tapes and supports and tapes for sport. The brand is best known for plasters that cover and protect small wounds in everyday life: in the kitchen, in the garden, at training, on a hike or when children play.

Below, the Hansaplast lines are grouped by what they are used for. That makes it easy to find the right plaster for waterproof protection, sensitive skin, joints that move a lot or a child, as well as foot care and the extras that complete a first aid kit at home.

From a patent to a plaster: the history

The roots of the brand go back to the start of Beiersdorf. In 1882 Paul Carl Beiersdorf was granted patent No. 20057 for producing coated plasters, and this was the birth of the Beiersdorf company. In 1890 Dr Oscar Troplowitz bought the company, and in 1892 he built a factory to meet the growing demand for plasters. In 1922 the first plasters with a wound pad went on sale under the name Hansaplast.

The following decades brought one new idea after another. In 1932 came Hansaplast Elastic, flexible ready-to-use wound dressings; in 1953 the first water-resistant plasters, including ones for fingers; and in 1960 the individually wrapped Hansaplast Strips. A major step was the non-adhesive wound pad, whose viscose fibre covering keeps the pad from sticking to the wound. Skin-friendly Hansavlies plasters arrived in 1968, colourful plasters for children in 1974 and the spray plaster in 1976. The first Aqua Protect plaster, which keeps water away from the wound, followed in 1996. In 1997 the brand moved into foot care with blister plasters, corn plasters and foot sprays, and in 1999 it added supports for hands, elbows, feet and knees. More recently the whole range was relaunched, together with plasters in different skin tones and hypoallergenic Kids Sensitive plasters.

Wound plasters: which one when

Every Hansaplast wound plaster protects the wound against dirt and bacteria and has a non-stick pad that covers and cushions it. The lines differ in material, adhesion and how well they stand up to water.

Universal is the all-round choice for the bathroom cabinet and the handbag. The material is breathable and water-resistant, the absorbent pad does not stick to the wound and the strong adhesive keeps the plaster in place. Universal comes as strips in several sizes that seal all around the wound, and as a dressing length you can cut to the size you need.

Classic is a fabric plaster. The durable fabric and extra strong adhesion keep it firmly in place, and the dressing length can be cut to the right size.

Elastic stretches with the movements of the skin, which makes it a good fit for fingers, knees and elbows. The line includes fingertip and finger plasters as well as knee and elbow shapes.

Sensitive is made for sensitive skin. The soft, breathable and hypoallergenic material is very skin-friendly, the adhesive holds securely and still comes off painlessly. Sensitive plasters are suitable for diabetics too, their skin compatibility is dermatologically approved, and they come in light, medium and dark skin tones.

Aqua Protect is 100% waterproof. The flexible, breathable backing stops water from getting trapped around the wound, the transparent backing with a light pad is barely visible on the skin, and the strong adhesive stays put even when wet. These plasters are made for washing, showering, bathing and swimming. For larger areas there are XL, 3XL and 4XL sizes.

Extra Robust Waterproof is built for demanding jobs: outdoor activities, housework, gardening and DIY. Its three-layer Hi-DRY TEX technology combines a flexible fabric with a waterproof, breathable membrane. The fabric dries quickly and does not get soggy, and the super strong adhesive leaves no residue on the skin.

Plasters for children

Small scrapes are part of childhood, and a colourful plaster makes looking after them easier. The children’s range includes Kids Animal, Disney Frozen, Disney Princess, Mickey & Friends, Marvel and Be Happy designs. The colours are safe and resistant to saliva and sweat, the flexible material is water-resistant and the plasters come off painlessly. Each one has a non-stick pad that cushions and absorbs.

For very sensitive young skin there are the hypoallergenic Sensitive Kids plasters, and for water play there is Aqua Protect Kids. Other care and hygiene products for little ones are on the page kids’ care products.

Foot care: blister plasters, creams and sprays

The blister plasters come in Heel, Toes and Mix versions (several sizes in one pack). They work with hydrocolloid technology, cushion the blister, protect against rubbing and stay in place for several days. Apply the plaster to clean, dry skin, press it on firmly and remove it only when it peels off by itself. The foot range also has corn plasters and the Pressure Stop plaster.

The key ingredient of the foot creams is urea. It occurs naturally in the upper layers of the skin, is part of the skin’s natural moisturising factor and attracts and binds water. Dry Feet Moisturizing Cream (100 ml, 10% urea) moisturises dry foot skin, strengthens its protective function and helps protect against the formation of calluses. Apply it twice a day to clean, dry feet and massage it in, especially on the heels. Callus Intensive Cream (75 ml, 20% urea with Aquaporin technology) is made to reduce calluses and give long-lasting hydration; massage it in twice a day with circular movements.

For fresh feet there is Silver Active, an anti-perspirant foot spray with silver ions. It keeps feet dry and protects against odours, contains no alcohol and is suitable for diabetics. Use it in the morning after a shower: shake the can and spray your feet from about 15 cm. The same line also has the Foot Protection 2in1 spray. Creams and other everyday care are gathered under body care products.

First aid at home and on the go

Beyond plasters, the brand has a full set of first aid kit essentials. Fixation tapes come in Classic and Sensitive versions, there is a Wide Area Fixation Sensitive roll for larger areas, an elastic fixation bandage for holding dressings and a self-adhering Cohesive bandage, also in a narrow width for fingers. For cleaning small wounds there is Wound Cleansing Spray in 50 ml and 100 ml bottles. Ready-made sets such as the First Aid Mix Pack and the Hand Mix Pack put plasters of different shapes and sizes in one box.

It is worth cleaning your hands before putting on a plaster. Hand and surface products are on the page disinfectants.

Sport and movement

For active people there are joint supports and sports tapes. The supports come in three lines: Comfort, Performance and Protective. You can choose knee, ankle and wrist supports in different sizes (S/M and L/XL), and the Protective line also has a thumb stabiliser, a tennis elbow support and a back support. The tapes include Kinesiology Tape in blue and black (5 cm × 5 m) and the rigid Rigid Strapping Tape in white and nude. Aqua Protect and Extra Robust Waterproof plasters are good companions in a sports bag too, because they are waterproof.

How to choose

• Water, showers or swimming: Aqua Protect.
• Sensitive skin or diabetes: Sensitive.
• Fingers, knees and elbows: Elastic.
• Gardening, repairs and hiking: Extra Robust Waterproof or Classic.
• An everyday supply at home: Universal or the First Aid Mix Pack.
• Children: Kids Animal, Disney and Marvel designs, or Sensitive Kids.
• New shoes and long walks: blister plasters.
• Dry or hard skin on the feet: Dry Feet or Callus Intensive cream.

A good habit is to keep two or three types of plaster at home at the same time: Universal for everyday scrapes, Aqua Protect for the bathroom and the swimming bag, and blister plasters next to your shoes. That way the right plaster is at hand exactly when you need it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I swim with an Aqua Protect plaster?

Yes. Aqua Protect is 100% waterproof and made for washing, showering, bathing and swimming; the strong adhesive keeps it in place even when wet.

Which plaster suits sensitive skin?

Sensitive plasters are hypoallergenic, very skin-friendly and come off painlessly. For children there is Sensitive Kids.

How often should I change an ordinary plaster?

A standard first aid plaster is changed daily for hygiene reasons. A blister plaster stays on for several days, until it peels off by itself.

What is the difference between Dry Feet and Callus Intensive cream?

Dry Feet contains 10% urea and is a daily moisturiser for dry foot skin. Callus Intensive contains 20% urea and is made to reduce hard, calloused skin.

Which company is behind the brand?

The brand belongs to Beiersdorf AG in Hamburg, Germany, a company whose story begins in 1882.