Steri-Strips (Butterfly Bandages): How to Apply, Remove, and When to Use Them

Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we review

Quick Answer: What are Steri-Strips?

Steri-Strips are thin adhesive strips that hold the edges of a small, shallow, straight cut together while it heals. Place them across the cut, starting in the middle, and leave them on for up to 2 weeks. Deep, gaping, jagged or bleeding cuts, bites and wounds from dirty objects need medical care instead. [1]

What the research says

• Strips can match stitches on scars after some surgeries. In a trial of 112 heart-surgery patients, chest incisions closed with adhesive strips healed with scars similar to those closed with buried stitches, with no difference in wound problems. Strips took about half a minute to place, versus over 7 minutes for stitches. (Songvasin et al., Aesthetic Plast Surg, 2025)

• Skin glue was not better than strips after C-section. In a trial of 479 women followed for 8 weeks, wound problems happened in 7.6% with skin glue and 7.9% with sterile strips, a difference too small to matter. (Braginsky et al., Obstet Gynecol, 2019)

• Strips are fastest, but edges may reopen more often. In a trial of 90 patients after keyhole surgery, strips closed the skin in about 41 seconds on average and gave similar scars at 3 months. However, skin edges separated more often with strips than with stitches. (Singh et al., Langenbecks Arch Surg, 2023)

Key takeaways

• Strips work well for small, clean, low-tension wounds and many surgical incisions.

• They are quick and painless to apply.

• Place them across the cut, starting in the middle, and leave them on for up to 2 weeks.

• Always peel them off slowly, toward the wound.

• They are not a replacement for stitches when a wound is deep, gaping or under strain.

What are Steri-Strips?

Steri-Strips are narrow adhesive bandages that pull the two sides of a cut together so the skin can heal edge to edge. [1]

Closing the gap does two things. It helps the wound heal faster, and it lowers the chance of germs getting in. [1]

You may already have them in your first-aid kit. Doctors also use them to cover surgical cuts (incisions), sometimes after stitches or skin glue. If you are caring for a surgical wound, see our guide to incision care after surgery. [1]

What is the difference between Steri-Strips, butterfly bandages and butterfly stitches?

Steri-Strips and butterfly bandages are both adhesive strips that do the same job but differ in shape, while butterfly stitches are real stitches placed by a healthcare provider. [1]

Feature	Steri-Strips	Butterfly bandage	Butterfly stitches
What it is	Adhesive strip	Adhesive strip	Real stitches (needle and thread)
Shape	Same width end to end	Wide "wings," narrow middle	Thread follows a butterfly-shaped path under the skin
Who applies it	You or a healthcare provider	Usually you, at home	Healthcare provider only
Where it's common	Hospitals, clinics, and home	Home first aid	Clinic or hospital
Needles involved?	No	No	Yes

Source: [1]

The short version: Steri-Strips and butterfly bandages do the same job. The butterfly shape just narrows where it crosses the cut. "Butterfly stitches" is a medical term for a stitching technique done between the layers of skin, though some people also use it loosely to mean butterfly bandages. [1]

Can you use Steri-Strips on your cut?

You can use Steri-Strips on a cut that is shallow, has straight edges that press together easily, and sits on skin you can keep dry and fairly still. [1]

OK for strips at home	Get medical care instead
Shallow: bleeding stops after 5 minutes of firm pressure	Deep: you can see yellow fatty tissue
Straight edges	Jagged edges
Edges press together easily	Gaping: you can't gently push the edges together
On skin you can keep dry	Bleeding won't stop
On a body part that stays fairly still	Caused by an animal or human bite, or a dirty or rusty object like a nail

Source: [1]

Strips also fall off sooner on parts of the body that bend a lot, like knuckles and knees. [1]

Wounds in the right-hand column may need stitches, cleaning by a professional, or antibiotics. A cut from a nail or other sharp object can also be a puncture wound, which carries a risk of tetanus. For more on cut types, read understanding lacerations.

How do you apply Steri-Strips?

You apply Steri-Strips by cleaning the cut, then placing each strip across it, starting in the middle, while you gently pinch the skin edges together. Always read the package instructions first. [1]

The goal: each strip crosses the cut to form a plus sign (+). Together, the strips look like an equals sign (=). [1]

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.

2. Clean the cut. Wash it and the skin around it with mild soap and clean running water. Pat dry with a clean towel.

3. Find the middle. Your first strip goes across the center of the cut, not at either end.

4. Stick down one half. Press one end of the strip firmly onto the skin on one side, up to the edge of the cut. Keep the other half lifted.

5. Close the gap. Gently pinch the skin edges together with your fingers. They should touch snugly, or the cut may reopen or get infected.

6. Stick down the other half. Lay the strip across the cut and press it onto the skin on the other side. Press the skin, not the cut itself. Don't stretch the strip.

7. Add more strips. Place the next strip above or below the first, about 3 mm (1/8 inch) apart.

8. Keep going until the whole cut is closed.

Optional "railroad tracks": Add one strip along each side of the cut, running the same direction as the wound. These hold the ends of the other strips down. The result looks like a tic-tac-toe board. [1]

If blood soaks through the strips, get medical care.

How long do Steri-Strips stay on?

Steri-Strips usually stay on for up to 2 weeks, and most fall off on their own in that time. If the edges start curling before then, trim the loose ends carefully with small scissors. Don't pull them. [1]

Timeframe	What to do
First 24–48 hours (surgical wounds)	Keep dry if your provider tells you to
Days 1–14	Leave strips in place; trim curling edges
After 2 weeks	Gently remove any strips that are left

Source: [1]

How do you remove Steri-Strips safely?

You remove Steri-Strips safely by peeling each end slowly toward the wound, never away from it, after about 2 weeks. Remove the side "railroad" strips first. Then, for each strip that crosses the wound: [1]

1. Loosen one end and slowly peel it back toward the wound.

2. Hold the skin steady with a finger from your other hand, moving it along as more skin is uncovered.

3. Stop when you reach the wound. Don't peel across it yet.

4. Peel the other end back toward the wound in the same way.

5. Lift off the middle piece, gently, last.

The rule to remember: always peel toward the wound, never away from it. Pulling away can tug the edges apart and reopen the cut. [1]

A thin crust may be left underneath. That's normal: scabs protect new skin while it heals.

Can you shower with Steri-Strips?

Yes, you can shower with Steri-Strips in most cases. If the strips cover a surgical wound, you may need to wait 24 to 48 hours before getting them wet, so follow your surgeon's instructions. When you wash: [1]

• Use mild soap and water.

• Pat the area dry with a clean towel.

• Don't rub, scrub, or press hard.

• Don't pull or tug on the strips.

What are the benefits and risks of Steri-Strips?

The main benefits of Steri-Strips are a tighter wound closure than a regular bandage without needles, while the main risk is mild skin irritation. [1]

Benefits	Risks
Close a cut more tightly than a regular padded bandage	Mild skin irritation is possible
Help the cut heal	Higher chance of irritation when used with surgical glue
Lower the risk of infection	Surgical glues can cause allergic contact dermatitis
No needles, quick to apply	Can come off early on joints or skin that moves a lot

Sources: [1], [5]

Steri-Strips are generally safe. If you have a history of contact dermatitis or another skin condition, ask your provider which wound closure is best for you. [1]

When should you call a doctor about a wound with Steri-Strips?

Call a doctor about a wound with Steri-Strips if you notice color change, soreness or warmth, drainage, a foul smell, or blood soaking through the strips. [1]

• Color change, soreness, or warmth

• Fluid or pus draining from the wound

• A foul smell

• Blood soaking through the strips

The first three are signs of a wound infection. You can't treat an infection at home. Left untreated, it can spread and lead to serious problems like cellulitis or a bloodstream infection (sepsis). [1]

After surgery, also watch for the incision pulling apart (wound dehiscence) and signs of a surgical wound infection.

Conclusion

Steri-Strips and butterfly bandages are simple, effective tools for closing small, shallow, straight-edged cuts. Apply them across the cut, starting in the middle. Leave them on for up to 2 weeks, and peel them off slowly, always toward the wound.

They have limits. Deep, gaping, jagged, or bleeding cuts, and any wound from a bite or a dirty object, need a healthcare provider. When in doubt, get it checked.

Keep learning with Rinnit. Build your home first-aid know-how with our First Aid Essentials guide, and explore more clear, doctor-reviewed health guides at Rinnit.com. Bookmark this page so the steps are ready when you need them.

FAQ

Are Steri-Strips the same as butterfly bandages?

Steri-Strips and butterfly bandages do the same job, but the shape differs. Steri-Strips are the same width all the way across, while butterfly bandages have wide ends and a narrow middle that sits over the cut.

Do Steri-Strips work as well as stitches?

For small, shallow, straight cuts, Steri-Strips can be a good alternative to stitches. Deep, gaping or jagged cuts usually need stitches from a healthcare provider.

How long should I leave Steri-Strips on?

You should leave Steri-Strips on for up to 2 weeks. Most fall off on their own, and after 2 weeks you can gently remove any that remain.

What if my Steri-Strips fall off early?

If your Steri-Strips start to curl at the edges, trim them with small scissors. If strips come off and the cut opens up, bleeds or looks infected, contact a healthcare provider.

Can I get Steri-Strips wet?

Yes, you can usually shower with Steri-Strips on. For surgical wounds, you may need to wait 24 to 48 hours; pat dry and don't rub.

Which direction do Steri-Strips go?

Steri-Strips go across the cut, so each strip and the cut form a plus sign (+). Start in the middle and add strips about 3 mm apart.

How do I remove Steri-Strips without reopening the cut?

To remove Steri-Strips without reopening the cut, peel each end slowly toward the wound while holding the skin steady. Lift the middle piece over the wound last.

What are signs of infection under Steri-Strips?

Signs of infection under Steri-Strips include color change, soreness or warmth around the cut, drainage or a foul smell. See a healthcare provider promptly.

Can I be allergic to Steri-Strips?

Skin irritation from Steri-Strips is uncommon but possible, and it is more likely when surgical glue is used with the strips. Tell your provider if you've had contact dermatitis before.

References

1. Cleveland Clinic. Steri-Strips (Butterfly Bandage). Cleveland Clinic Health Library. Last updated June 12, 2024. Accessed October 21, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/steri-strip-butterfly-bandage

2. Songvasin S, Winaikosol K, Karunasumetta C. A randomized controlled trial comparison of subcuticular suture and adhesive strip for cosmetic outcome in median sternotomy closure in patient undergoing cardiac surgery. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2025;50(1):421-434. PMID: 40473789. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-025-04885-x

3. Braginsky L, Javellana M, Cleveland E, et al. Tissue adhesive compared with sterile strips after cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2019;134(2):295-301. PMID: 31306319. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000003367

4. Singh PK, Das Poddar KK, Sasmal PK, et al. Comparison of laparoscopic port site skin closure techniques (CLOSA): transcutaneous suturing versus subcuticular sutures versus adhesive strips: a prospective single-blinded randomized control trial. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2023;408(1):228. PMID: 37286881. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-023-02950-0

5. Thornton NJ, Gibson BR, Ferry AM. Contact dermatitis and medical adhesives: a review. Cureus. 2021;13(3):e14090. PMID: 33903846. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.14090

Medical disclaimer

This article is for general education and does not replace advice from your own healthcare provider. If a cut is deep, gaping, jagged, won't stop bleeding, comes from a bite or a dirty object, or shows signs of infection, get medical care right away.