Product Review: New-Skin Liquid Bandage (Knife-Related)

My thoughts and views on New-Skin's Liquid Bandage.

We've all been there: we're playing with our favorite new blade, perhaps absentmindedly flicking it open with one hand while watching television or reading. Possibly, we're even carefully using our knife in a safe and controlled manner, but manage to slip or fumble. Either way, the result is the same: an annoying nick or slice in one's skin followed by the gentle beading (or steady gush!) of blood.

Typically, most folks stop the leak and protect the cut with a traditional self-adhesive bandage. Some of you have no doubt heard of, seen, or used yourself, one of the myriad super strong liquid bonding agents (Krazy Glue, Super Glue, etc.) to pinch a cut closed and seal it off. While it will indeed perform this task, New-Skin offers a product that does the same but also disinfects the wound to a degree and is purposely designed to be safe and clean.

The stuff acts fast and dries quickly, typically within 30 seconds or so. With a fresh, open wound, it tends to sting a bit on contact, no doubt due to the alcohol it contains, but it's nothing we can't handle after having just lacerated ourselves with (hopefully!) sharpened steel. Just a light brush stroke or two will provide a thin layer of protection and will serve to make the cut fairly water-resistant. I do find that after a shower, I will occasionally have to re-apply a coat or two, but in dry circumstances, the product generally lasts several hours before requiring another application. For deeper or wider cuts, several coats can be added to thicken and strengthen the bond.

A small tip: the liquid bandage can also be applied to certain parts of your hands or feet that are prone to blistering, perhaps due to something like new sandals or certain gloves. This has the effect of adding a synthetic layer of skin to provide a bit more rash or abrasion protection.

Traditional adhesive bandages can often be bulky and uncomfortable, limiting range of motion or full flexibility. Depending on the situation, they can sometimes even be unsightly or embarassing. Being able to forgo them with a few discreet swipes is a huge plus in my book. The bottle is also small and easy to carry in a pocket, purse, bag or backpack making it convenient to take along at any time, including travel and hiking or camping trips where one is often prone to cuts and scrapes.

I don't really have anything bad to say about New-Skin Liquid Bandage. While some may consider it a bit pricey, a single bottle will last a very long time, and does exactly what it sets out to do. Whether you're a frequent knife user, novice balisong flipper, or just a total klutz, I highly recommend keeping some on hand.

(Please read all warnings and precautions before use!)


Specs on the product discussed herein:

Volume: 1 fl oz.
Active ingredient: 8-hydroxyquinoline 1%
Inactive ingredients: alcohol 6.7%, oil of cloves, pyroxylin solution



All content by ItsAWonderfulKnife, not to be used without permission

[ClarenceC]

I have been using this stuff for a few years now and it is wonderful stuff! Nowadays, I use it for regular cuts and scrapes and it works just as it advertises. The fact that it stings (to me) is a plus. Instead of applying an antiseptic and then a bandage, New Skin takes care of both! They now have a New Skin spray, and though I don’t use the spray, I have no doubt it works just as well.

I discovered New Skin years back because I was born with a birthmark called a capillary hemangioma. I think it’s also called a strawberry birthmark because it looked similar to a strawberry and it was in the middle of my torso, just below my breastbone. For the vast majority (95+%) of babies born with this birthmark (which is really a form of benign tumor consisting of an abnormal overgrowth of tiny blood vessels), it usually disappears before they turn 2 years old, but mine persisted until my late 40s. I had to eventually have it surgically removed. For most of my life, it was just a slight inconvenience as it was located right where I would button a shirt. In my adulthood, if I ever bumped up against something or a person at this particular spot, it would cut the delicate skin there and I’d start bleeding, so after bandaids began to become useless because it was just difficult to keep one secure right there in the middle of my torso, I ran across New Skin and started carrying the little bottle around with me whenever I needed it, and it helped to stop the bleeding quickly and it dried relatively quickly (within a minute), and once applied, it could usually withstand another hit, so for about a year, it did a great job for me, but eventually the bleeding happened a lot more often so I went to a dermatologist who biopsied it and confirmed that it was still non-cancerous but she suggested that because it was such a nuisance to everyday living that it needed to be surgically removed.

Long story short (too late now, right??? 😉), it was removed and I couldn’t be happier.

Still, New Skin did its job and was a real blessing to me for the time I had the hemangioma because it was so embarrassing having to explain why I regularly had blood on the front of my shirt all the time!

I still use it for more “normal” uses today, and am _obviously_ a huge fan.

Thank you for enduring my life story! 😊

[viramoon]

I just bought this and it smells exactly like nail polish remover.

[silverfawkes]

It stings but it works. I use this whenever I get a small cut.

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

Ouch! Yeah, this stuff is definitely for minor cuts and scrapes, though I used it to patch up a huge bloody-mess of a finger a couple weeks back when I managed to slam one of my digits in a car door. Hope you're on the mend and the wound clears up. Thank so much for sharing your experience!

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

The burning sensation that this stuff creates can definitely catch you off-guard if you're not expecting it to happen, but after several uses, you just expect it, as I'm sure you know. Thanks very much for the kind words!!

[rd]

I remember the days of having the wear a splint or popsicle stick for a finger when I would get cuts on my knuckles for 4-5 days just so you didn’t bend your knuckle and reopen the wound. Fingers would also be very weak since you could really use it. This stuff as others have said as well is the best stuff ever.

[MrBTT]

My 4 year old son fell and got a nasty gash on his scalp not long ago. We took him to the hospital and they gave him 3 staples. Once we got home I found a part they missed that was still bleeding down his face. I used New-Skin on it and it worked like a charm, although it did make him cry because it WILL sting when applied. Good product

[zigzaggirl]

This is really popular in the bowling world. Blisters, cuts can really affect your game, either on hands or feet! Great product.

[iTzAlienxD]

I'm definitely using this for smaller cuts/scratches and not giant road rashes(getting it off ripped so much leg hair that the stinging by putting it on is nothing). Good review & product

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

I've been curious as to how well it would work for these types of injuries. I'm glad to see it worked for yours! It definitely burns like a son-of-a-gun (I never quite get used to it), but if it seals it up and keeps it clean, I can live with the momentary discomfort. Thank you for sharing your experience!

[chihuahuas]

I've been using this since I was a kid and I'm 71.

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

Ha, agreed! I just had the opportunity to use this again about a week ago, after cutting open my ring finger with my knife (again!). Worked a treat and healed fast. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!

[spamneggzz]

my skin gets so dry it splits during harsh winters. bandages weren't effective enough what with hand washing and household cleaning. i heard about this stuff and bought a bottle. it's not cheap, but worked like a dream to seal my split skin. definitely could see how this would be a must in a knife enthusiasts arsenal. nice review.

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

Very cool to hear it's on the mend and that you used this stuff to close it up. Thanks for sharing!

[weiistone]

this pain...is a white ball of healing light. holy cow i wasn't ready for that burn. works great though. i suggest it for climbers!

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

You got it, friend. Thanks very much for watching!

[moonanaii]

I literally just got a little cut but I keep washing my hands it’s taking 4ever to heal 😩😩 need this ASAP! Also your voice is super soothing! Lol

[ItsAWonderfulKnife]

Excellent! I gouged myself with a huge splinter a few weeks ago and used liquid bandage to keep soap and other things from getting into the wound after disinfecting it. Worked like a charm. This stuff never ceases to impress me. Thanks for watching and sharing!

[Jay_underthepavement]

This is the best stuff I ever used but it burns like a mf

[jonathansicairos]

Always use it I’ve needed stitches a couple times and didn’t want to deal with that so I just used new skin and it sealed up pretty good