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).
Return to "Surgical
Instructions"