A system and method of protecting a wound on the skin that results in a reduction of scarring at the wound site. A segment of porous adhesive tape is provided. A plurality of apertures are formed into the porous adhesive tape, creating a mesh pattern. The segment of porous adhesive tape is applied to the skin using the tacky adhesive on the adhesive tape. The wound is positioned under the mesh pattern. The segment of porous adhesive tape is applied to the skin in a stretched condition. As such, the porous adhesive tape biases the skin into compression under the porous adhesive tape. The segment of porous adhesive tape and the skin under the apertures are coated with a skin adhesive. The skin adhesive bonds the segment of porous adhesive tape to the skin. This isolates the skin surrounding the wound and minimizes the stresses.
