Caring for your Open Wounds
Exceptional Service – Every Patient, Every Time
Zitelli & Brodland
The Cosmetic Consultation at Westerville Dermatology Laser & Rejuvenation Center
- No strenuous activity for 48 hours
- No aspirin or other over the counter products that contain aspirin and other blood thinners for 48 hours. Take Tylenow or aspirin free pain relievers as needed for discomfort.
- Continue taking all prescribed medication
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages for 48 hours.
- Keep the pressure bandage in place for 24 hours. If the bandage becomes blood tinged or loose, reinforce it with gauze and tape
- Remove bandage in 24 hours and begin wound care as follows:
- Clean area with tap water using a Q-tip or gauze pad, (shower/bathe normally)
- Dry wound with Q-tip or gauze pad
- Apply Polysporin or Bacitracin Ointment with a Q-tip *Do NOT use Neosporin ointment*
- Cover the wound with a bandaid or nonstick gauze pad and paper tape
- Repeat wound care once a day until wound is completely healed
- It is an old wives tale that a wound heals better when it is exposed to air and allowed to dry out. The wound will heal faster with a better cosmetic result if it is kept moist with ointment and covered with a bandage.
Supplies Needed:
Q-tips or gauze pads
Polysporin or Bacitracin Ointment
Bandaids or nonstick gauze pads and paper tape
– To order 3M micropore tan paper tape call: 1-800-321-0591
Bleeding & Wound Healing
Caring for your Wounds
Bleeding
- Used rolled up gauze or a clean cloth to apply direct pressure over the bandage for 20 minutes
- Reapply pressure for an additional 20 minutes if necessary
- Call the office or go to the nearest emergency room if pressure fails to stop the bleeding
- Use additional gauze and tape to reinforce bandage once the bleeding has stopped
- Begin wound care 24 hours after the surgery as directed
Wound Healing
- One week after surgery a pink/red halo will form around the outside of the wound. This is new skin.
- The center of the wound will appear yellowish white and produce some drainage
- The pink halo will slowly migrate in toward the center of the wound until the wound is covered with new shiny pink skin
- There will be no more drainage when the wound is completely healed
- It will take six months to one year for the redness to fade
- The scar may be itchy, tight and sensitive to extreme temperatures for a year after the surgery
- Massaging the area several times a day for several minutes after the wound is completely healed will help the scar soften and normalize faster.
In case of emergency:
Shadyside Office 412-681-9400
South Hills Office 412-466-9400
Contact Us Today
Please call us at Shadyside 412-681-9400 or Jefferson 412-466-9400.