Care of your Wound after shave or curette

The first 5 days are important to stop bleeding and infection.

 

WATER TIGHT DRESSINGS can handle a light shower but not a bath or a swim.

WATER TIGHT DRESSINGS MUST BE TAKEN OFF AFTER 3-5 DAYS

 

BREATHABLE DRESSINGS can be removed after 2-4 days if the wound is dry. After removal of the dressing a dry wound can be gently showered and dried e.g. with a hair dryer. You may need to redress the wound to stop dirt and fluff getting on the wound. You may have been provided with a strip of “Cutiplast” to do this.

 

If the wound needed some encouragement to stop bleeding a BOLSTER DRESSING may have been used. Click HERE for more information about bolster dressings.

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Click HERE to see some wounds where the patient was able to self manage after a shave biopsy

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Click HERE to see a wound infection which needed antibiotics

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The next 3 months are about getting the best cosmetic result (i.e. best looking scar).

 

Once the original dressing is removed applying Vaseline, QV intensive or other greasy moisturiser to the wound (n.b. If you don’t care about the scar letting the scab harden up makes it easier to manage). Softening the wound encourages the scab so it come away without damaging the newly formed fragile skin underneath the scab. It will make the wound gunky and as such it will need to be dressed, however if you want the best possible scar, it is best to persist with this. After the scab has come away from the wound the raw base will have a white often punctured base. This white “slough” is part of the healing process and will slowly come away, it is different to pus which is a white liquid that can be squeezed out of a grossly infected wound. Once this slough is gone you should have a fresh pink scar underneath. At this point the wound is now sealed and ready for a silicon gel like Strataderm®.

 

How to use Strataderm®

Apply the silicon gel in a thin layer to the scar.

When applied correctly, the Strataderm® should be dry in 3–4 minutes.

If it takes longer to dry you have probably applied too much. Gently remove any excess gel with a tissue or paper towel and allow the drying process to continue.

Once dry, Strataderm® can be covered with clothes, sunscreen or cosmetics.

Continue to use strataderm for 3 months.