*Please wait approx. 24 hours before removing dressing and showering.

Sutures

For the first 2 days, use a mild soap and water to gently cleanse the area daily. Pat area dry with a cloth/towel. Apply a thin layer of ointment and cover with a fresh bandage/dressing.

Shave Biopsy

For the first week, use a mild soap and water to gently cleanse the area daily. Pat area dry with a cloth/towel. Apply a thin layer of ointment or Vaseline and cover with a fresh bandage/dressing.

Following steps for sutures & shave biopsies

1) Showering is acceptable, but please avoid bathing and any activities that require submerging the area in water (i.e. swimming, spa, hot tub, etc.) until the area is healed.

2) A fibrous cap and/or scabbing will occur on the area. Please refrain from scratching/picking to help reduce scarring and prevent disruption of the wound healing.

*Fibrous cap may look like a white-yellow covering over the wound. This can be confused with an infection, but if you are concerned, please contact our office.

3) Please call our office or see your family doctor if any of the following symptoms occur:

   -Yellow or green discharge/drainage (pus)

   -Increasing redness

   -Increasing swelling

   -Severe Pain

   -Fever

   -Flu-like symptoms

4) If area begins to bleed after you leave the office, apply mild pressure until bleeding stops. If significant bleeding persists longer than 2 hours, please call the clinic at (403)-980-2750. If past 4:30pm, please go to your nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Center.

*If you required sutures during your procedure, please have them removed in the following time frame:

   -Scalp: 2-4 weeks

   -Face: 1-2 weeks

   -Arms 2-3 weeks

   -Back/Shoulders/Legs: 3-4 weeks

Please book a stitch/suture removal appointment with reception, your family doctor, or call our office and advise us of self-removal.