After a skin biopsy, proper wound care helps support healing and reduce the risk of infection or irritation. Your biopsy site may look pink or red during healing, and you may notice mild tenderness, itching, crusting, or a small amount of blood-tinged drainage. These changes are generally normal as new skin forms.
How to Care for Your Biopsy Site
- Keep the area dry for the first 24 hours whenever possible.
- After 24 hours, remove the dressing and you may shower or bathe normally. The area can be left uncovered afterward or covered with a new dressing if preferred.
- Apply Vaseline (petroleum jelly) to the wound 1–2 times daily until it has healed, whether the area is covered or uncovered.
- If you use a dressing, change it daily or every other day as needed.
If You Have Stitches
If your biopsy was closed with stitches, your healthcare provider will let you know when they need to be removed. In general:
- Face: stitches are typically removed after 7 days.
- Body: stitches are typically removed after 10–14 days.
Stitches can be removed at our clinic, by your family physician, or at a walk-in clinic. If you are having them removed at our clinic, please ensure your appointment is booked before leaving.
Healing and Results
Biopsy sites that are left to heal without stitches may take approximately 3–4 weeks to heal, with wounds on the lower legs sometimes taking longer.
Pathology results can take up to 4 weeks. We will contact you when your results are available. If you have not heard from us after 4 weeks, please contact our office.
For urgent concerns after hours, please visit your nearest Emergency Department.
