Hey Hey Hey!
ExpressionMed’s 5th Birthday is coming up this June! As a Founder and CEO, 5 years is a big accomplishment, and to celebrate the anniversary of our Kindergartener, I want to share my top 5 favorite memories of our customers and team from over the years.
- CEO & Founder, Meghan Sharkus
My all time favorite #ExpressionMem was when @avybabe DMed us on Instagram and requested that we make a TikTok Task force to create diabetes challenges for the Tok.
This resulted in some fun weekly calls, an awesome #passthetape video, and a diabetic parody of the song Savage that will go down in history as the best thing I wrote on a brainstorming call. (To clear up the uncertainty I did personally write the rap and Sophia Krueger performed it 😅)
If you haven’t seen the video check it out here! I like the lyrics because they are educational and go so well with the original song. I’m sorry for scaring you with the Dexcom alarm but it fit in too well to pass up!
In June of 2018, I was looking to get some pictures for the ExpressionMed website showcasing our new prints. This was the first time I realized how many lives I had touched through the business.
I ended up messaging all of our Minnesota customers and meeting 3 of them that weekend!
Here are some of my favorite pool shots with Emily Schueler.
I am obsessed with this story because the situation kept getting cooler and cooler. Back in the fall of 2017, we were working on perfecting our print offerings. To do so, I temporarily offered custom tapes for anyone who wanted to design their own tape. It challenged us to see if we could print photos, complex designs and thick colors on our tape material. And, this customer-submitted Paw Print design was the ultimate test.
The submitted design featured a closeup of a vivid tattoo. Not only did I want to match the skin tone perfectly, but also to ensure the colors were both vibrant and smoothly blended. It was a fun challenge for all members of our production line.
Once the tape was completed, I was thrilled to see the results in action. The before and after of our customer laying the tape over their own tattoo. It looked like the CGM tape wasn’t even there -- the ultimate camouflage.
What we ended up receiving was an amazing photo of @hailey.allton showing off how her Dexcom patch matched her mom’s paw print tattoo!
The heartfelt photo by @musizandmemories stole our hearts and the tattoo by @jj_heltontattoos74 went on to be a best seller!
This was an amazing alignment of beautiful art, a heartfelt story, and my team stepping up to a crazy logistical challenge.
You may not know, but in 2016 and 2017 I hand wrote every customer address and in 2018, I was a helping fulfill every single order.
So, meeting people like Lizzie Poe and Tracy Watts in 2019 felt like meeting celebrities.
I had seen their names dozens of times, and messaged them back and forth about adhesive research and new devices. They supported me like a friend and not a CEO, making my job a lot easier and more fun.
When crowds started to gather and we made new friends, I was reminded that I built something important. Even 3 years into the business there were still people we needed to meet and build products for.
It was my first ever business conference and it was exhausting, but I’m so glad we fit it in before the world changing pandemic in 2020. I can’t wait to meet more of you in the future!
Kendall Simmons has got to be one of the coolest people I’ve met during my time building ExpressionMed. He not only was a tremendously successful T1D athlete, but is also a talented artist and a great public speaker. Talk about a triple threat.
He met me at a time in my life where I was overworked and underslept. I was a stress ball trying to grow a business on my own and maintain good grades in school.
He reminded me of how important my mission was. As an athlete, he knew that diabetic devices needed to stay on securely and as an advocate for young athletes he understood the importance of design through the eyes of kids who need chronic care devices.
He’s supported ExpressionMed every day since showing off his amazing hand drawings on his instagram and participating in a really cool video interview!
If you are the type to read the small print, you may have noticed the sentence in the bottom right corner of the FreeStyle Libre Adhesion Guide that says to “Make sure the opening / hole in the centre of the sensor is not covered”.
This makes ExpressionMed’s new Libre OverPatch seem extremely illogical since it clearly covers the hole in the center of the device.
Photo credit: @AustinJamesMusic
We cleared the situation up by contacting a local Freestyle Libre Representative who expressed that the device simply “needs to breathe” meaning the hole can be covered by a breathable material like a tight shirt, winter coat, or even medical adhesive (like our OverPatch) so long as air can get in and out.
For this reason, ExpressionMed cuts small holes in all of its non-breathable plastic tapes like the center sticker for Freestyle Libre pictured below.
Photo credit: @Shreya.T1D
So whether you like the two-piece libre/center-sticker combination or the one-piece OverPatch, you can make use of ExpressionMed tape without worrying about your sensor readings.
Speaking of the two-piece libre center-sticker combo, did you know that we recommend this the most for longevity but most people apply it incorrectly? Check out our Libre Application video for the optimal application technique!
Main image photo credit: @Rachelenelpaes
ExpressionMed is not affiliated with the manufacturing of the Freestyle Libre devices and makes no representations, expressed or implied, regarding third-party products or their manufacturers, quality or suitability for you.
We can't wait for you to try our 2-piece patch designed specifically for your Medtronic device!
Whether you have a Medtronic Enlite, Guardian, 660g, or 770g, your CGM most likely looks like this one.
We'll use this as a guide for your instructions below. Let's get started on the best way to apply your tape with the most ease and maximum hold.
If you learn best with videos, check out this one we took when a friend visited ExpressionMed HQ! Otherwise, check out our step-by-step guide below.
Photo cred: @diabetsyle
For additional questions about your 2-piece Medtronic tapes, please don't hesitate to reach out to us!
Does this picture look familiar to you?
Ever since the launch of the g6, more and more Dexcom users are noticing irritation under their device that they’ve never had to deal with before.
This has become so common that there is an entire 13,000 person Facebook group to address it!
You may have noticed that the picture above shows irritation where the dexcom was placed, but not where the ExpressionMed Tape was worn. If you find a tape you love that does not irritate your skin, see if that company offers an UnderPatch. If the material is thin enough, it should not affect your sensor longevity or readings.
We recommend you find a non-printed tape to use as an underpatch since the ink adds thickness to the material.
If you are still experiencing sensitivity with an underpatch, there are 3 potential culprits. Luckily we can offer solutions to all three.
There are trapped irritants/allergens between the tape and your skin.
Wash the area with unscented soap and water before application
The skin is damaged from overuse of rubbing alcohol and strong adhesives.
Give this area of your skin a break. Patch test another area of your skin by cutting a square out of an adhesive and putting it on another part of your body. Make sure to patch test the Tape before using it under your Dexcom. If your skin reacts and you have to remove your Dexcom, the test becomes a lot more expensive.
You are sensitive to the adhesive as well.
This one breaks my heart, because we have not changed our material in the past 5 years and still some of our favorite customers are developing sensitivities to the material.
At first I thought there was no explanation until I began studying how allergic contact dermatitis affects the skin barrier. I learned that just one case of allergic contact dermatitis, or even an overuse of rubbing alcohol can damage the skin barrier and leave your skin more prone to sensitivity and reactions, even to materials you’ve never reacted to before.
The solution to this skin barrier damage was actually determined way back in 2001, people just don’t talk about it.
What I’m recommending is not medical advice, but instead a conversation to have with your doctor, if this is something you are newly struggling with.
This study found that combining a topical corticosteroid with corneotherapy agents prevents the delay in the healing process of skin barrier disruption due to allergic contact dermatitis.
In non-scientific words, this means that if rubbing alcohol or an allergen damaged your skin barrier and is making your skin more sensitive to materials you weren’t sensitive to prior, you can speed up the rebuilding of your skin barrier. You can do this by using topical corticosteroid lotions ranging from over the counter hydrocortisone (anti-itch cream) to prescription level Diprolene to stop the allergic response.
If you combine this with corneotherapy: taking protective measures while your skin is healing, you can speed up the healing process. These protective measures could include using a barrier spray before applying adhesives or wearing tight clothing, using a barrier cream daily to promote healing or using a hydrocolloid patch for 3 days to promote full healing of the affected space.
If you are treating an allergic reaction, try not to use the above barriers on their own without the corticosteroids, you need to treat the allergic reaction AND create an environment for healing.
Again, I’m not a doctor and any choice you make should be discussed with your primary care provider or endo, but I hope my internet deep dive helps you understand your own skin and avoid those pesky rashes!
Until next time,
Meghan Sharkus
Founder and CEO
ExpressionMed
You may have noticed our new line of products called UnderPatches. Unlike the rest of our products, these tapes offer no fun designs, and are relatively new to the diabetes world which may have you thinking:
The answer to this question is simple. If you have experienced a Dexcom or Libre rash this product is for you. If you have not, be on your merry way knowing that you have healthy, happy skin.
If you’ve experienced a Dexcom rash, you next need to determine if the rash was limited to the area of the Dexcom tape, or if it was underneath your ExpressionMed Tape as well. If it was under both, see our blog on preventing and healing dexcom rash.
If the reaction is only underneath the Dexcom itself, keep reading.
First clean off your skin with non-scented soap and water, if your skin has had a rash before it likely has some lasting damage to the skin barrier, using harsh chemicals like rubbing alcohol can create further damage.
Next, wait for the skin to dry and apply the UnderPatch by following the instructions on the product page.
Lastly apply your Dexcom as you normally would! It’s that simple!
If you’re feeling especially creative and want your Dex or Libre to stay on a little longer, add your favorite ExpressionMed design over the top and voila! The perfect set up for a comfortable, stylish, rash-free CGM experience.
Do you constantly worry about your CGM falling off? With summer coming up, we device wearers need all the help we can get in keeping these tools attached as long as possible and unfortunately, most adhesives won’t stick to your skin for as long as they’re meant to.
Do you have sensitive skin? Are you and athlete? Do you workout? Are you a heavy sweater? Malena Alexandra is here to share with you her dia-journey with our adhesives and how they changed her life for the better. Living a healthy lifestyle is so important to Malena and our peel-resistant, sweat proof tapes have helped her to feel confident and comfortable when exercising!
Photo Credit: defeat diabetes.org.
Facts and Preparation advice:
We have read several articles about COVID-19 and Diabetes and by far the most useful resource we found was this blog from jdrf.org. It details how people with diabetes are not more likely to contract coronavirus but do have to take more precautions when it comes to being prepared to respond to societal activity and the potential situation of being sick.
As the general population starts to clear grocery store shelves make sure you and your family have what you need to keep your blood sugar numbers under control. If you are sick and taking pain killers, read jdrf's notes on how over the counter pain medication can affect blood sugar:
It's better to be over-prepared than to be under prepared.
Most insulin and CGM suppliers have reported no impact on their manufacturing and distribution capabilities, but if you are having financial difficulty covering your required supplies go to jdrf.org/costs.
Make sure that if you or a loved one with diabetes seeks emergency care:
Some of our medical heroes are having to step into emergency care with short notice and may not be experienced with diabetes care.
Stay home, keep calm, and find ways to keep a healthy body and mind.
Anxiety can take a further toll on your immune system.
Check out these free resources to help you stay calm and positive in these trying times. (these are not sponsored links)
Watch the Met Opera or Broadway Musicals for free at home.
Get free access to workouts until May 31st.
Take Ivy League level classes.
Learn how to cook from chefs in quarantine.
Clean your house - eliminating dust and regulating humidity can help keep your lungs healthy. This is useful in the case that you get sick as COVID-19 targets the lungs first.
Share your favorite facts, quarantine qualms, and wellness tips in this survey!
Thank you all for staying inside and staying safe.
You and your families are in our hearts during these uncertain times.
The Breakdown:
Photo contest-
For the first 3 days of the week send us your Fall Leaves photos. On Wednesday at 10pm we will pick the finalists. The finalists will have 4 days to get the most facebook likes on their photos to win 5 tapes of their choice!
Submissions here:
Type One-Der-Ful competition Closed
Use this link to submit your Fall Leaves photos (accepting photos until the 13th at 10pm)
Use this link to submit your Diabetic Warrior photos (accepting photos until the 18th at 10pm)
Use this link to submit your Unicorn photos (accepting photos until the 25th at 10pm)
Where to buy:
Use this link to buy the Diabetic Warrior for the upcoming contest
Use this link to buy the Unicorn tape for the upcoming contest
If for any reason you are unsuccessful in submitting using this link, please email your photo to Community@expressionmed.com
Giveaways-
Comment on the giveaway posts for a chance to win
Question of the day-
Check your email, answer a question, and you're in the running to win 🏆
Feature Friday-
Click here and tell us about you! 1 entry means you are in the running every. single. week. How cool is that?
