After almost 2 1/2 weeks, my finger is now mostly healed.

And after those 2 1/2 weeks, I feel that I can now give an expert opinion on bandages.

First, if you have a wound on your finger, the most effective bandage is most likely going to be Non-Stick Pads, gauze, and tape. Nothing else will stay on as well. Unfortunately, this combination isn’t waterproof, so you have to do digital acrobatics when washing your hands to keep the bandage dry.

But if you need a band-aid, the only thing you should bother to pick up are Band-Aid Activ – Flex Premium Adhesive Bandages. They’re waterproof, latex-free, hypoallergenic, and extremely flexible, and were the only bandages that were the slightest bit effective. Don’t bother with the “waterproof bandages” of any make. I tried both Band-Aid brand and Nexcare brand. Once you move your finger, the seal is broken and you end up trapping water under the bandage instead of keeping water out. Which is no good.

The bad side of the Activ-Flex bandages is that the highly effective seal to keep out water also sticks slightly to the wound, which is not so great. I got around this by cutting a small piece of non-stick pad to put over the wound. This worked just about perfectly.

Of course my first recommendation is don’t hurt your fingers in the first place, but if, like me, you’re a klutz, Band-Aid Activ-Flex is the only bandage to bother with. Unless, of course, you want to change your bandage every time you wash your hands. Which for me would be able 27 times a day.

So there you go. Avoid all waterproof bandages except Band-Aid Activ-Flex.

And maybe if I’m lucky, someone from Band-Aid will read this, and in gratitude for my glowing review, send me free Band-Aids. God knows I’ll end up needing them.