What is a pad patch? What is a reservoir patch? These terms are used interchangeably.
Pad (or reservoir) patches consist of an absorbent non-woven material (the pad) which holds the active ingredient in the middle of an adhesive layer (please see diagram below).
- The active ingredients are combined with a carrier base, coated onto a soft, absorbent pad that releases the active compound and is absorbed into the skin.The non-woven material is specifically designed to absorb either hydrophilic or hydrophobic drug formulations. (The formulations can be in either liquid or semi-solid form). When you apply the reservoir patch on the skin, the active ingredient is released into the skin from the pad.
- The patch material – usually a neutral, flesh-tone foam or other colored printable material for branding purposes. This is an occlusive layer.The adhesive that we use for our pad (or reservoir) patches is hypoallergenic. As with all our patch products, it is water-resistant. This means that you’re welcome to shower while wearing our patches!
- The liner – this is what you peel the patch off of, prior to applying to the skin. The liner can be printed, if desired.
This type of patch can easily be adapted to various formulations and worn substantially longer than a monolithic patch. As they can be worn for days at a time, your customer will feel the effects of your product for longer periods.
When selecting your patch, it’s important to consider your desired end-result. What experience do you want your customer to have? How long do you want your customer to experience the benefits of your active ingredients? How important is branding to you? All of these issues will help you decide whether monolithic or pad patches are right for you.