If you’ve just been injured and you haven’t seen a doctor yet, go see one as quickly as you can. There are lots of sensitive and vital areas on your face, and a doctor should take a look if it’s anything other than some small surface damage. [3] X Research source If your hands aren’t dirty, you can clean your hands with a 60% alcohol-based hand gel in a pinch. [4] X Research source
If you’re using a thin cloth and the blood soaks through, swap the cloth out and replace it. Bleeding typically stops on its own after 15 minutes of pressure. It’s okay if blood trickles a little bit for an additional 45 minutes. If the bleeding won’t stop after that, see a doctor immediately.
Don’t worry if the wound is a little sensitive at this point. So long as you aren’t in any serious pain, it’s okay. If you feel any intense pain or your face feels numb, see a doctor immediately. [7] X Research source
If you can’t remove an object or it appears to be deeply embedded in your skin, see a doctor. Do not attempt to remove any large objects that won’t come out of the wound.
Avoid touching the wound directly if you can; just brush the cream or ointment on in light layers without rubbing the skin.
Non-stick adhesive bandages are not standard Band-Aids, although you can certainly use one of those if the cut or scrape is small and you don’t want a big bandage on your face. The non-stick adhesive bandages are thin pads that are less adhesive and more comfortable than standard bandages. You can find these in any pharmacy. For a fresh wound, replace the bandage and repeat the entire process the next day. After 2 days, you will stop using the antibiotic cream or ointment. You can use gauze if you really prefer, but gauze tends to stick to wounds as they heal. This can irritate the wound further whenever you replace the bandage. If the wound covers a round portion of your skin and you want to hold the wound together, use a butterfly bandage to cover the wound crosswise and hold the skin together. [11] X Research source Try to find a bandage that matches the color of your skin if you don’t want it to stick out.
If the wound is near your eyes, be extremely careful as you clean the surrounding skin. Keep your eye closed if you can and keep the soap out of your eyes. This is really important if you want to minimize the odds that your wound heals into a scar. You have to clean the wound every day until it’s entirely healed. Never use iodine or hydrogen peroxide to clean your wound. These products can damage your skin and prevent healing. [13] X Research source You can do this in the shower if you want to keep things simple.
This will reduce the chances of a scar forming on your skin.
See your doctor immediately if your wound becomes more painful, gets red or swollen instead of healing, leaks pus or blood after closing, or develops an unpleasant smell. You should also see a doctor if you develop a fever. [16] X Research source Most minor cuts usually completely heal in 1 week or less. [17] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source If the wound is still a little red after a few days, use a hydrogel or silicone gel sheet to keep the skin from being irritated by gauze or a bandage. To use one of these sheets, peel off the adhesive backing and stick it directly on top of the wound to keep air out and protect the skin. You can typically keep these sheets on for 2-3 days before changing them. [18] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
You typically can’t shower or bathe for at least 24 hours after a surgical procedure. Don’t use any cleaning products on or around the wound. You may not smell the best, but your wound needs time to heal! Don’t touch or mess with the wound. If you have stitches, don’t pull on them and avoid itching the area to give the wound time to heal.
If your hands aren’t especially dirty, you can use a 60% alcohol-based hand gel instead.
Moisten the dressing with clean water if it’s sticking to the wound to make it easier to remove. [22] X Research source If you have stitches and they’re bandaged, do your best to avoid doing this if you can. If you do get stitches wet, gently blot the area dry with a clean cloth after you finish removing the bandage. [23] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Don’t worry if you feel a little awkward leaving a big bandage or pad on your face. You typically don’t need to leave surgical wounds covered for super long and you’ll be back to normal in no time! Gauze is most likely to stick to your wound or cause pain. If your doctor gives you a choice, opt for a hydrogel or soft silicone dressing to keep the wound from getting irritated. [25] X Research source Some surgical wounds are meant to be left uncovered after the initial removal of the dressing. If your doctor told you to leave the wound uncovered, do that.
If you need to return to the doctor to have stitches removed, make sure you show up to the appointment on time.
Seek medical care immediately if the burn is especially deep or large, the skin appears dry and leathery, you have charred patches of white, brown or black skin, or if the burn is larger than 3 inches (7. 6 cm) in diameter. [27] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Any minor redness or tiny burns can usually be treated at home. A blister may not require immediate medical care if it isn’t especially large. Still, some medical professionals suggest that you see a doctor if you develop a blister. [28] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Use an unscented soap if you can to avoid irritating the sensitive skin on your face.
Be extremely careful if you’ve burned the area around your eyes or ears. These areas are especially sensitive so just work slowly to avoid irritating the skin further. [29] X Research source If your skin is blistering, do not intentionally pop the blisters. Don’t use any sprays, balms, or ointments on the skin if it’s broken.
Do not wear makeup while you’re waiting for your skin to heal. If you have facial hair and the burn isn’t on or near this part of your face, keep your hair shaved so that dead skin cells don’t get trapped in your beard or moustache. [30] X Research source If you’re going to be running around or going to work while the wound heals, you can bandage the burn if you’d like to protect it from irritation.
You typically don’t need any antibiotic creams or lotions for minor burns. Never use hydrogen peroxide to treat the wound. [33] X Research source Don’t use iodine, either, as it leads to problematic side effects. [34] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Hydrogel or silicone gel sheets are a great option if the skin is red. These bandages are less likely to cause irritation from friction. [36] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source To apply one, peel off the adhesive backing and stick it directly to the skin. These are also a great option if you don’t want a giant piece of gauze standing out on your face. Regular adhesive bandages can rub against the skin, which can irritate it. Avoid using these for burns if you can.
Avoid sleeping directly on the burned skin. Most minor burns will heal completely in 2 weeks or less. If it doesn’t heal in this time, you must see a doctor.
