Composite dressings for improved granulation and reduced maceration with negative-pressure treatment

A dressing for treating a tissue site with negative pressure, the dressing comprising:

• a first layer comprising a polymer film having a plurality of fluid restrictions through the polymer film that are configured to expand in response to a pressure gradient across the polymer film;
• a second layer coupled to the first layer, the second layer comprising a manifold, wherein the first layer is configured to be interposed between the manifold and the tissue site and at least partially exposed to the tissue site;
• a third layer coupled to the second layer opposite the first layer, the third layer comprising a polymer drape;
• and
• a fourth layer coupled to the first layer opposite the second layer and comprising a gel including a plurality of apertures, wherein a dimension of one or more of the fluid restrictions through the polymer film exceeds a dimension of at least one of the plurality of apertures.