You have just had a procedure done. This leaflet provides information on the care of your procedure site.

Punch Biopsy or Excision Biopsy

•  ​​​​Keep the wound clean and dry for 24-48 hours.
• ​Remove the dressing after 24-48 hours.

• Clean the sutured wound using cotton balls or cotton buds with the prescribed cleansing solution. Gently remove any scabs that may have formed. Clean the sutured wound and its edges.
• Dab the wound dry before applying the prescribed ointment.
• Cover the sutured wound with a clean dressing e.g. Gauze, Airstrip plaster or Melolin nonadhesive dressing and secure with micropore tape.
• Keep the dressing clean and dry.
• ​Repeat the dressing once or twice a day depending on the cleanliness of the wound, until the date when the stitches are removed.

• Absorbable sutures gradually dissolve under the skin and remnants (white fragments) may occasionally be extruded via the original surgical site. Please be assured that this is a normal and expected occurrence.
• Avoid strenuous exercise or activity for the first 2 weeks as this may delay healing.
• Abstain from swimming till the wound is completely healed.
• See your doctor on _________for review and removal of stitches.
• Avoid smoking or alcohol for at least a week after your biopsy as they can slow down wound healing. If you would like to give up smoking, do inform your doctor or the pharmacist.

It is unlikely that your wound will bleed, but if this happens, do not panic. Sit or lie down and apply continuous firm pressure over the dressing for 20 minutes. If the bleeding continues after 20 minutes of direct pressure, seek medical attention.

Please inform us, if there is any discharge, swelling, excessive bleeding or increasing pain around the wound.

In case of any complications after office hours, please go to the nearest general practitioner or hospital for advice.

Shave Biopsy or Electrocautery

• No suturing is required.
• Clean the affected area with cleansing solution and apply topical ointment twice daily (morning/ night), unless other instructions have been given to you.
• A scab may form after the surgery and it may take 5 - 14 days to drop off.
• Avoid peeling off the scab, let it drop off by itself.
• Avoid excessive sun exposure for wounds located on sun-exposed parts of the body during the healing process. This is to minimise the incidence and duration of skin darkening over the wound that may occur after the procedure.
• Frequent use of sunscreens is encouraged after the healing process is completed.
• ​DO NOT apply any other medicated lotion or cream when the crust is still present to prevent skin irritation.​​​​​