OPEN / SUPERFICIAL WOUND CARE INSTRUCTIONS
- NO strenuous activity for 48 hours. Resume light activity in 48 hours.
- On the day of surgery, if allowed by your primary care physician and medical team, take
2 regular strength Tylenol (325 mg) or 1 extra strength Tylenol (500 mg) and alternate
with 400-800 mg ibuprofen every 4 hours beginning 1 hour after surgery as need for
pain relief. - After 24 hours take Tylenol/ ibuprofen as needed for discomfort.
- DO NOT drink alcoholic beverages for 48 hours. Alcohol increases your risk for
postoperative bleeding. - DO NOT ICE THE WOUND
- No dietary restrictions.
- Continue your normal medications as prescribed by your physician.
Bandage Care
- Keep the WHITE pressure bandage (large white bandage) in place for ____ Hours.
- Remove WHITE pressure bandage in _____ hours and begin wound care as follows:
1. Clean area with tap water Dove bar of soap using a Q tip or gauze pad
(shower/bathe normally)
2. Dry the wound with Q tip or gauze pad
3. Apply Vaseline with a Q tip *Do NOT use Neosporin Ointment, you can become
allergic and get a rash*
4. Cover the wound with a band-aid or nonstick gauze pad (Telfa pad) and paper tape.
5. Repeat wound care once a day until wound is completely healed for approximately
1-2 months.
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 bandage. Do not let the wound dry out.
Supplies needed:
Vaseline, Q tips, Paper tape, Non-adherent/Non-stick sterile gauze pads or
Band-Aids
Possible Complications/When to Call
Bleeding- if there is visible BRIGHT RED blood soaking and/or dripping from the WHITE
pressure bandage:
1. Leave the bandage in place.
2. Apply direct pressure over the bandage for 40 minutes.
3. Call the office, Dr. Wallace’s cellphone, or go to the nearest emergency room if pressure
fails to stop the bleeding.
4. Use additional gauze and tape to maintain pressure once the bleeding has stopped.
Pain:
1. Post operative pain should slowly get better, never worse.
2. A severe increase in pain may indicate a problem. Call the office if this occurs.
3. Tylenol or Ibuprofen should be taken according to the manufacturer’s directions days
after surgery, as needed for discomfort, provided you are allowed to take these
medications in guidance with your primary care physician and medical care team.
- Signs/symptoms of infection:
- Redness
- Warmth to the touch
- Red streaking around surgical site
- Increased pain
- Swelling
- Fever
- Chills
- Foul smelling drainage
- Wound Healing Expectations
- 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 close 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. - When a scar has formed, begin massaging the area several times a day for several
minutes. This will help the scar soften and normalize faster. Begin massage only after
healing is complete. It is normal to have swelling and bruising around the surgical site.
The bruising will fade in 10- 14 days. The swelling will fade in 5-7 days.
Questions/Concerns contact our office (hours 7:30-4:00pm):
804-538-1033 opt. 3
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:
Dr. Wallace’s cellphone: 703-431-9519
Please follow up in person in _______________
Please send photo to followup@richmonddermlaser.com in
___________________
o Include first and last name with date of birth
o You will receive a confirmation email once the photos are received