How long before stitches come out on the face?

Facial sutures are typically removed at 5 days. The face has excellent blood supply and heals quickly. Early removal minimises scarring. Eyelid sutures: 3–5 days. Source: Trott AT, Wounds and Lacerations, 4th ed. (2012); UpToDate Laceration Management.

When do scalp stitches come out?

Scalp sutures or staples are typically removed at 7–10 days. The scalp has excellent blood supply. Staples are commonly used for scalp lacerations and follow the same removal timing. Source: Trott AT, Wounds and Lacerations, 4th ed. (2012).

When do stitches come out on the hand?

Hand sutures are typically removed at 10–14 days. The dorsum of the hand has thin skin close to tendons. Palm and fingertip sutures may take the full 14 days due to thicker skin and higher tension. If sutures are over the knuckles (MCP joints), splinting may be used. Source: Trott AT, Wounds and Lacerations, 4th ed. (2012).

When do back sutures come out?

Back sutures are typically removed at 12–14 days. The back is a high-tension area and heals more slowly. Steri-Strips are often applied after suture removal to support the wound. Source: Trott AT, Wounds and Lacerations, 4th ed. (2012).

Suture Removal Timeline by Body Area — Face, Scalp, Foot, Abdomen

📋 Sources: Trott AT. Wounds and Lacerations: Emergency Care and Closure, 4th ed. Elsevier, 2012. UpToDate — Laceration management (current edition). Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) — wound management guidelines. Timing is a general guide. Your clinician assesses each wound individually — patient factors, wound site, and healing progress determine the right timing.

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When Can Stitches Come Out?

Tap a body area for removal timing, clinical notes, and what to watch for. Sutures, staples, and tissue adhesive.

Clinicians & Patients AU Trott 2012 · UpToDate · RACS

ℹ️ General reference based on standard wound management guidelines. Timing varies by patient factors — diabetes, anticoagulants, wound tension, and infection all affect healing. Your clinician decides the right timing for each wound.

Select a body area

Tap to see removal timing, notes, and what to watch for.

Quick reference — all body areas

Location	Notes	Days
👁 Eyelid	Very thin skin. Use fine sutures (6-0). Remove early to minimise scarring.	3–5 days
👤 Face (general)	Excellent blood supply. Remove early. Sun protection after removal for 6 weeks.	5 days
👂 Ear	Cartilage under skin. Watch for haematoma — ear should not feel hard.	5–7 days
Neck	Good blood supply. Moderate tension area.	5–7 days
🧑 Scalp	Excellent blood supply. Staples are common — same timing applies.	7–10 days
💪 Upper arm	Good blood supply. Low tension if not over joints.	7–10 days
💪 Forearm	Moderate healing. Keep dry for 48 hrs. Avoid submerging until sutures out.	7–10 days
Chest / trunk	Moderate to high tension depending on location.	10–14 days
Abdomen	Moderate tension. Longer if midline laparotomy.	10–14 days
🤚 Hand (dorsum)	Thin skin, tendons close. Splint if over MCP joints.	10–14 days
🤚 Palm / fingertip	Thick skin, high tension. Mattress sutures common.	10–14 days
🦵 Lower leg	Slower healing. Poor circulation in some patients. Elevate where possible.	10–14 days
🪴 Back	High tension, slow healing. Steri-Strips after removal recommended.	12–14 days
🦶 Foot (dorsum)	Poor blood supply. High tension with walking.	10–14 days
🦶 Sole of foot	Thick skin, high mechanical stress. Non-absorbable sutures only.	14+ days
🦴 Over a joint	High tension with movement. Consider splinting. Steri-Strips after removal.	14 days

Other closure types

📌 Staples Scalp: 7–10 days. Trunk and extremities: 10–14 days. Same timing as sutures for the same location. Require a staple remover. Trott 2012

📌 Tissue adhesive (Dermabond / skin glue) Do not remove — peels off naturally in 5–10 days. Do not soak, pick, or apply ointment over the glue. Keep dry. Trott 2012

📌 Steri-Strips / wound closure strips Leave until they fall off naturally (usually 7–14 days). If used with sutures, can be removed at the same time. After suture removal, Steri-Strips support the wound for a further 1–2 weeks on high-tension areas (back, joints, trunk). Trott 2012