This guide is general information and does not replace the specific advice given to you after your procedure.
Keep the dressing clean and dry, and leave it in place for the time you were advised (often 24–48 hours, unless told otherwise). If a dressing becomes wet, dirty or falls off early, replace it following the instructions you were given.
Once you have been advised it is safe to do so:
Avoid soaking the wound in baths, pools or spas until it has healed and you have been told it is safe.
A small amount of oozing can occur early on. If there is active bleeding, apply firm, continuous pressure to the area with a clean gauze or cloth for 15–20 minutes without lifting to check. If bleeding does not stop after this, contact the clinic or seek medical care.
Some tenderness is normal in the first few days. Paracetamol is often suitable for mild discomfort. Follow any pain-relief advice given to you.
If you have stitches, avoid stretching or straining the area, as this can affect healing. You will be advised when to return for suture removal if your stitches are not dissolvable. Limit heavy lifting and vigorous exercise as directed until the wound has settled.
Contact the clinic if you notice increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, or pus or discharge from the wound, or if you develop a fever. These can be signs of infection that may need review.
All surgery leaves a scar, and how a scar settles varies between people and sites. Once the wound has fully healed, protecting the area from the sun with clothing or SPF 50+ sunscreen can help the scar mature. Dr Kim can advise you on scar care specific to your procedure.
Contact the clinic if you have bleeding that will not stop, signs of infection, the wound reopens, or you have any concerns about how it is healing.
This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Please follow the specific aftercare instructions given to you by Dr Kim.