DermZone.comDermZone.com

Product Finder:

Your Cart:

Your cart is empty

Free gift with every order over $150
Click for coupon code!

Skin Conditions:

Ingredients:

Product Types:

Brands:

Gift Certificates:

Post-Biopsy Wound Care Regimen

Shave biopsies:

A shave biopsy is one where a horizontal blade or razor is used to "shave" the specimen from the skin. Most commonly, these biopsies are superficial and resemble a deeper abrasion or erosion. They often have the look and feel of a deeper "rug burn".

While a small whitish or slightly dark scar is fully expected, the appearance of the scar can be minimalized with proper care of the wound. Place antibiotic ointment and a bandage three times a day for the first week or until the level of the wound is flush with the surrounding skin. Then, ointment may be applied 2-3 times a day for another 5-7 days without a bandage. The wound will begin to have a crust, and it is very important to allow the crust to remain on the wound as long as possible without trying to pick it off. Picking off the crust too early will result in a higher incidence of scarring where it might otherwise be avoided.

Showering and washing the area may be done 24-36 hours after the procedure. Use clean, warm, soapy water gently over the wound. Do not use hydrogen peroxide on the wound. Any signs of excess pain, redness, smell, drainage, pus, fever, chills, or swelling around the site should be interpreted as a possible infection - alert your dermatologist immediately should these signs occur.

Punch / Incisional biopsies:

A punch biopsy is done where a piece of tissue is cored-out with a biopsy instrument and the resulting wound is closed with a suture. The resulting wound is usually a small line less than half of a centimeter.

While a small whitish or slightly dark scar is fully expected, the appearance of the scar can be minimalized with proper care of the wound. These biopsies require less care than shave biopsies since the suture keeps the wound closed. Place antibiotic ointment on the wound for 2-3 days with a bandage. After 2-3 days, no ointment or bandage is needed. Showering and washing the area may be done 24-36 hours after the procedure. Use clean, warm, soapy water gently over the wound. Do not use hydrogen peroxide on the wound. Any signs of excess pain, redness, smell, drainage, pus, fever, chills, or swelling around the site should be interpreted as a possible infection - alert your dermatologist immediately should these signs occur.

The suture(s) should be removed in 4-7 days if the biopsy is done on the face, and in 7-14 days if done on the body. No wound care is needed after the suture(s) removal.

Don Mehrabi MD, FAAD
Dermatologist, Certified by the American Board of Dermatology
Los Angeles, California

[ Browse Skin Care Products ] [ Return to main menu ]