A greasy ointment, e.g. Vaseline, can be applied directly over the stitches twice daily. The wound should be washed prior to applying Vaseline. This helps to prevent and lift crusting; massaging gently over the wound may help to improve the appearance of scarring.
"In the first 48 hours, the goal is to keep your stitches completely dry," says Dr. Yaakovian. "It takes about a day or two for skin to form a new layer and, for this to happen effectively, it's best if the skin is dry."
If dissolvable stitches have been used, then after 7 days, and as long as the wound is closed with no oozing, you should lightly massage the suture line with a non-perfumed moisturiser to encourage the stitches to fall out. You need to apply the cream and massage at least twice a day.
The first day: Keep your wound area dry for the first 24 hours after the doctor sewed in the stitches. You'll lower your risk of infection. Follow your doctor's instructions on when you can start cleaning the area and how to do it. Usually, you have to wait at least a day before cleaning.
Wounds need to be covered so that they can heal properly. When a wound is left uncovered, the new surface cells that are being created can easily dry out. When these important cells dry out, it tends to slow down the healing process. A wound should be covered using a clean bandage.
Healed wounds
It is important that you keep your new skin clean and hydrated. When you are no longer in dressings you can begin to bath again initially with a mild baby soap. Moisturisers can be used to soften the skin, prevent dryness and reduce feelings of tightness.
Don't use skin cleansers, antibacterial soaps, alcohol, iodine, or peroxide. They can damage the skin in the wound and delay healing. Also, don't put on any lotion, cream, or herbal product unless you've checked with your doctor first. Your doctor will tell you how to wash out your wound.
Keep the area clean and dry for the first 24 to 48 hours after stitches have been placed. Then, you can start to gently wash around the site 1 to 2 times daily. Wash with cool water and soap. Clean as close to the stitches as you can.
Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.
You may need to cover your stitches with a bandage for 24 to 48 hours, or as directed. Do not bump or hit the suture area. This could open the wound. Do not trim or shorten the ends of your stitches.
Redness. The area may be swollen, sore, and red in color right after you've sustained your injury. This is normal as blood is being sent to the area to supply oxygen and other nutrients for healing. But if the wound is still red and swollen after five days, it's a sign that your body is not healing correctly.
Treat the area with care. A greasy ointment, e.g. Vaseline, can be applied directly over the stitches twice daily. The wound should be washed prior to applying Vaseline. This helps to prevent and lift crusting; massaging gently over the wound may help to improve the appearance of scarring.
These are the usual time periods: stitches on your head – you'll need to return after 3 to 5 days. stitches over joints, such as your knees or elbows – you'll need to return after 10 to 14 days. stitches on other parts of your body – you'll need to return after 7 to 10 days.
If you have sutures (stitches): -Apply Vaseline or Aquaphor healing ointment to the sutured site 3-4x/ day for the next three to four days. The ointment will help the wound heal more quickly and minimize scarring.
If you choose to apply cream, be sure to wait two weeks after surgery. Ask your surgeon about possible prescription skin treatments. Will a scar disappear?
Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment, such as Aquaphor or Vaseline, to your incision site, and keep it covered with appropriate bandaging to prevent dirt, bacteria, and other irritants from entering the wound. A moist environment helps the cells to replicate and properly bond together to close up the incision faster.
A moist environment has been proven to facilitate the healing process of the wound by preventing dehydration and enhancing angiogenesis and collagen synthesis together with increased breakdown of dead tissue and fibrin.
We recommend applying Bio-Oil Skincare Oil to your scar as soon as the skin is fully healed. This is known as the 'maturation' or 'remodelling' phase of scar formation. Remember that for best results to be seen, Bio-Oil Skincare Oil should be applied twice daily for a minimum of three months.
Bio-Oil helps to improve the appearance of new or old scars; whether from surgery, accidents, burns, insect bites, scratches or conditions such as acne or chickenpox. Although younger scars will have a greater chance of improvement, studies have shown that older scars also benefit from regular use of Bio-Oil.
After 48 hours, surgical wounds can get wet without increasing the risk of infection. After this time, you can get your stitches wet briefly with a light spray (such as in the shower), but they should not be soaked (for example, in the bath). Make sure you pat the area dry afterwards.
You should be able to wash normally after your stitches, dressings and clips have been removed. It's usually better to have a shower until the wound has healed to avoid soaking it completely. Afterwards, pat your wound and the area around it dry.
In most cases, a surgical incision heals in about two weeks. More complex surgical incisions will take longer to heal. If you have other medical conditions or are taking certain medications, your healing time may differ.