Numark Micropore 1.25cm x 5m

What Is Micropore Tape and How Can It Help You?

If you've ever struggled to keep a dressing in place without irritating the surrounding skin, you'll know how frustrating it can be. Micropore tape is a lightweight, paper-based surgical tape designed to hold wound dressings, gauze, and medical tubing securely against the skin — without the harsh adhesive pull that some tapes leave behind. The Numark Micropore 1.25cm x 5m roll is a practical, affordable option for everyday first aid and post-operative wound care at home. At just £1.20, it's one of the most accessible wound care products you can keep in your medicine cabinet. You'll find it alongside other essentials in our first aid collection.

This tape is hypoallergenic, meaning it's formulated to minimise the risk of allergic skin reactions — a real consideration for anyone with sensitive skin or who needs to change dressings frequently. The narrow 1.25cm width makes it particularly useful for securing smaller dressings, cannula sites, or delicate areas where a wider tape would be impractical.

How Does Numark Micropore Tape Work?

The tape works through a combination of its paper construction and gentle acrylic adhesive. Here's what makes it effective:

• Breathable paper backing: Allows air and moisture vapour to pass through, reducing the risk of skin maceration (softening and breakdown caused by trapped moisture).
• Gentle acrylic adhesive: Bonds reliably to skin and dressing surfaces without causing trauma when removed carefully.
• Conformable design: The tape moulds to body contours, maintaining contact even over joints or curved surfaces.
• Easy tear: Can be torn by hand without scissors, making it convenient in clinical and home settings alike.

Because the adhesive is designed to be gentle, it's less likely to strip the outer layer of skin (the stratum corneum) on removal — something that matters a great deal if you're changing dressings daily or caring for fragile, elderly skin.

Who Should Use Numark Micropore Tape?

This tape is suitable for a wide range of people and situations. It's particularly well suited to:

• Adults and older children needing to secure wound dressings at home
• People recovering from minor surgery or procedures who need to keep dressings in place
• Carers managing wound care for elderly individuals with fragile skin
• Anyone with a sensitivity to stronger adhesive tapes who needs a gentler alternative

It's worth noting that micropore tape is not suitable for use directly over open wounds or infected skin without clinical guidance. If you're managing a wound that shows signs of infection — such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge — speak to your GP or pharmacist before continuing home dressing changes.

How Does Numark Micropore Tape Compare to Other Surgical Tapes?

Is Numark Micropore Tape Suitable for Long-Term Use?

For most people, micropore tape is safe to use repeatedly over time, provided the skin is monitored for any signs of irritation. If you're using it as part of ongoing wound management — for example, following surgery or for a chronic wound — it's sensible to rotate the application site slightly with each dressing change to give the surrounding skin a rest. The NHS recommends that wound dressings and securing tapes be changed regularly and that the skin around a wound is kept clean and dry to support healing.

Store the tape in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid leaving it in humid environments such as bathrooms where the adhesive may degrade over time. If you're also managing a wound that requires topical treatment, you might find our creams and ointments collection useful for complementary wound care products.

This product is a medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using if you have an underlying medical condition or are taking other medicines.

What Is Numark Micropore Tape and What Is It Used For?

Numark Micropore Tape is a hypoallergenic, paper-based surgical tape used to secure wound dressings, gauze pads, and medical devices — such as cannulas or nasal tubes — to the skin. It is classified as a medical device rather than a medicine, meaning it works mechanically rather than pharmacologically. The tape is widely used in both clinical settings and at home for routine wound care following minor injuries, surgical procedures, or skin treatments.

Common uses include securing post-operative dressings, holding gauze over minor cuts and abrasions, and keeping medical tubing in position. Because it is breathable and gentle, it is also frequently used in paediatric and elderly care where skin fragility is a concern. The NHS advises that wounds should be kept clean and covered to reduce the risk of infection, and micropore tape plays a key role in keeping dressings securely in place during the healing process.

What Do You Need to Know Before Using Numark Micropore Tape?

Before applying this tape, there are a few important things to be aware of. While it is designed to be gentle, it is not suitable for every situation.

Do not use this tape if:

• You have a known allergy to acrylic adhesives
• The skin at the application site is broken, infected, or severely inflamed
• You have a skin condition such as epidermolysis bullosa or other fragility disorders — seek clinical advice first
• The wound shows signs of infection (increasing pain, redness, warmth, swelling, or purulent discharge)

Warnings and precautions:

• Always remove the tape slowly and gently, peeling back parallel to the skin surface to minimise trauma
• Avoid applying over oily, wet, or dirty skin — the adhesive will not bond effectively and the dressing may slip
• Monitor the skin under and around the tape for signs of irritation or maceration with each dressing change
• Do not use as a primary wound closure device — it is not a substitute for sutures or wound closure strips

Drug and product interactions:

• No known drug interactions — this is a medical device, not a medicine
• Avoid using in combination with topical products containing solvents or alcohol directly under the tape, as these may affect adhesion or cause skin irritation

How Should You Use Numark Micropore Tape?

Correct application makes a real difference to both comfort and effectiveness. Follow these steps for best results:

1. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling the dressing or tape.
2. Clean the wound area as directed by your healthcare professional and apply the appropriate dressing or gauze pad.
3. Ensure the skin around the dressing is clean, dry, and free from lotions or oils.
4. Tear or cut the required length of micropore tape — the tape tears easily by hand.
5. Apply the tape across the edges of the dressing, pressing firmly but without stretching the tape or pulling the skin.
6. Smooth down the full length of the tape to ensure good contact.
7. When removing, peel back slowly and parallel to the skin — never pull upward at a sharp angle.

If you're also looking for products to support wound healing, our skin care collection includes a range of complementary options.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Numark Micropore Tape?

Because micropore tape is a medical device rather than a medicine, side effects are generally uncommon and localised to the skin at the application site. Most people tolerate it well, particularly those with sensitive skin who find stronger tapes problematic.

Common side effects:

• Mild redness or erythema at the tape margins
• Slight itching under or around the tape
• Minor skin dryness after repeated use

Less common side effects:

• Contact dermatitis — a localised allergic reaction presenting as a rash, blistering, or more intense itching
• Skin maceration if the tape is left in place for too long or applied over a moist area
• Superficial skin stripping if the tape is removed too quickly or at an incorrect angle

If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction — such as spreading redness, hives, or swelling — remove the tape immediately and seek advice from your pharmacist or GP. The NHS provides guidance on recognising and managing skin reactions, and it's always worth checking if a reaction is worsening rather than improving.

How Should You Store Numark Micropore Tape?

Proper storage keeps the adhesive effective and the tape hygienic between uses. Follow these simple guidelines:

• Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place
• Keep away from direct sunlight and sources of heat
• Do not store in humid environments such as bathrooms — moisture can degrade the adhesive
• Keep the roll in its original packaging when not in use
• Keep out of the reach and sight of children
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the packaging

For a broader range of wound care and health essentials, browse our baby and toddler collection if you're looking for gentle products suitable for younger family members.