How to Remove Bandages From Wounds

Bandage removal is a fairly simple process and doesn't have to be painful. Often, the adhesive on bandages can irritate skin or pull out body hair when removed. You should remove bandages to clean your wound, then reapply them until your wound is fully healed. If you notice you have bled through a bandage, you should remove it and apply another. There are several ways to remove bandages without causing too much pain.

Things You'll Need

• Vodka
• Hairdryer
• Cotton swabs
• Olive oil

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove a bandage painlessly by saturating the bandage with vodka. Vodka solvent dissolves the adhesive, according to alternative use site Lifehacker.com. Saturate a cotton swab with vodka and apply to the adhesive portion on the bandage until it loosens and falls off. Do not use vodka on or around children's wounds.

• 2

  Melt bandage adhesive with a blowdryer. Set the blowdryer on low and direct the airflow at your bandage for around 30 seconds. Once the adhesive has melted, your bandage will fall off. Make sure you do not apply heat directly onto your wound, as this will feel unpleasant.

• 3

  Saturate a cotton ball with olive oil and apply to the adhesive parts of the bandage. The olive oil will penetrate the glue and cause the bandage to fall off, according to parental tip website handprintsonthewall.org.

• 4

  Immerse the bandage in warm water until your skin begins to prune. Adhesives do not stick well to water-logged skin and will often float off in the tub or shower.

• 5

  Rip the bandage off quickly, if you're feeling brave, by pulling the bandage in the direction of your hair growth. Pulling in this direction will result in less hair being pulled out by the adhesives and a quick removal.