Healing skin is very sensitive to sunlight and should be protected from the sun with high factor sun protection once the stitches have been removed.

Your surgeon may ask you to massage the area with a clean finger to improve the healing process.

If you are unhappy with the quality of your scar once the area has fully healed, then please ask your GP to re-refer you for a follow up appointment.

If the wound opens up then you should contact our department.

If there are any signs of infection, for example redness, pus or offensive smell from the wound, then visit A&E as you may need antibiotics.

Glue does not need to be removed. It will drop off by itself when the wound is healed.

It will be dissolved by soap, therefore avoid using soap on the affected area.

Steri strips can be removed at home or by your GP’s practice nurse after 5 – 7 days.

Moisten the wound with water and then carefully remove them.

Stitches should be removed on the ward, at a review clinic, or by your GP’s practice nurse. The surgeon will advise you how long they should remain in for.

As a general rule the following applies:

• Stitches on your face – 5 days
• Stitches on your scalp – 7 days

Depending on what type of wound you have sustained it may have been treated with stitches (sutures), paper stitches (steri strips) or glue.

For all wounds the following principles apply:

• Keep the wound dry and if a dressing has been applied do not remove it for at least 5 days.
• Do not encase in waterproof plasters or bags as this will make the wound soggy.
• Once a scab has started to form do not pick. This especially applies to wounds treated with glue.