Shave biopsy and shave excision aftercare

This information is for patients who have had a shave biopsy or shave excision at Spot Check Clinic. Unlike sutured excision, shave procedures leave a shallow wound that heals without stitches.

What to expect as the wound heals

• First 24–48 hours — the wound may bleed slightly or weep clear fluid. This is normal.
• Days 2–7 — a crust or scab forms over the wound. If cautery was used, a yellow or white layer may develop. This may be healing tissue, but increasing pain, spreading redness or discharge need review.
• 1–3 weeks — the wound heals from the base upward. New pink skin gradually replaces the raw patch.
• Several weeks onwards — redness gradually fades. Shave procedures are shallow, so the risk of a deep scar is low, but pigmentation changes can occur.

What is normal after a shave procedure

• The wound may look raw during early healing
• Oozing or mild bleeding in the first 1–2 days
• A crust, scab or yellow layer over the wound
• Mild pinkness around the wound edges
• Itching as new skin forms

Contact the clinic if you notice

• Bleeding that does not stop after 15–20 minutes of firm pressure
• Pain that increases significantly after the first 2 days
• Spreading redness beyond the immediate wound edge
• Thick, cloudy discharge or an offensive odour
• Fever or feeling generally unwell

If the wound bleeds

Apply firm, continuous pressure to the wound using a clean dressing or cloth for 15–20 minutes. Do not lift the dressing to check during this time. If bleeding does not settle, contact the clinic.

Managing the treated area

Dressing

Leave your dressing in place for 3 days and keep the wound as dry as possible. If the dressing sticks when removing, gently soak it with water to ease it off. Spray-on dressings will gradually peel away on their own as you wash normally.

Once the dressing is removed, you may leave the wound uncovered or use a simple Band-Aid if preferred.

Pain relief

Pain is usually mild. Paracetamol can be used if needed. Avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen for the first 48 hours as these can increase the risk of bleeding.

Do not stop prescribed aspirin, blood thinners or other regular medicines without advice from your prescribing doctor.

Wound-care gel

To minimise scarring and support healing, apply a silicone gel after the dressing is removed. We recommend Epicyn silicone/hypochlorous acid hydrogel to support a moist wound environment. Use the product advised for your wound; not every silicone scar gel is suitable for open skin. Apply two to three times daily for up to 3 months. Silicone gel helps prevent the formation of a thick hard scab, which can lead to more noticeable scarring.

Sun protection

Healing skin is more sensitive to UV exposure and more prone to pigmentation changes. Keep the area covered or apply SPF 50+ once the surface has closed.

Activity

Activity depends on the wound’s size and location. Follow the advice given for your procedure and avoid activity that makes it bleed or pulls on the wound. Avoid swimming in pools or the ocean until the wound surface has fully closed and is no longer weeping.

LED light therapy

LED light therapy may be recommended to support healing and reduce inflammation, particularly for wounds on the lower legs or in patients at higher risk of delayed healing or scarring.

Pathology results

Results are usually available within several days and are sent securely. Your doctor will contact you directly if urgent follow-up is required. If you have not received your result within the timeframe advised, contact the clinic; do not assume no news means a normal result.

When to have the area reviewed

Contact the clinic to arrange a review if:

• The wound is not healing as expected after several weeks
• The lesion appears to return after initial healing
• The diagnosis was uncertain at the time of treatment
• New or similar lesions appear nearby

If you notice a new or changing spot in the future, it is important to have it assessed with a skin cancer check.