WOUND CARE INSTRUCTIONS



1. IF YOUR INCISION OR SUTURES ARE EXPOSED:
Cleanse the wound twice daily with Hydrogen peroxide using a Q‑tip. Keeping the wound free of crust formation will enable it to heal with less scarring.

2. IF YOUR WOUNDS ARE COVERED WITH TAPES:
Leave the tapes in place until your next appointment. You may wash normally with soap and water beginning the day after surgery; the tapes should remain in place. lf they become contaminated or soiled, clean the wound with Hydrogen peroxide, replacing the soiled tapes with clean ones if you have them available. lf not, stop by the office at your earliest convenience and we will supply you with more tape. For the time being, keep the wound clean and cleanse twice daily with Hydrogen peroxide.

3. AFTER YOUR SUTURES ARE REMOVED:
lt is beneficial to massage the wound twice daily with moisturizing cream to maintain softness and lubrication.
Vitamin E oil seems to work well for this or you may use any type of commercially available moisturizing cream, such as Aloe Vera or Nivea.

4. IN ORDER TO OPTIMIZE YOUR RESULTS:
lt is essential that you avoid prolonged sun exposure for the six weeks after surgery. The sun has been shown to increase melanocyte activity and will darken a healing area. During this period you should either avoid sun light to the operated area altogether or should apply the proper amount of number 15 to 20 or stronger sunscreen.

5. ALL WOUNDS:
Wounds extending through the superficial layer of the skin whether surgically created or other wise, heal with scar tissue. The scar tissue goes through a normal maturation process and therefore all wounds will have slightly heavier and more apparent scarring during the period of healing extending from approximately three to nine months after surgery. Of course, there is tremendous individual variability regarding this scar; maturation process as the degree of scarring will depend on many criteria including age, genetic background, skin pigmentation, wound location and other factors. Usually it takes at least twelve to twenty-four months before scars are completely mature.

6. If you should have any further questions regarding the progress of your healing, please feel free to call our office (858) 451-3060).

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