How to Remove Steri-Strips After Surgery (2024)

Steri-Strips—thin adhesive strips commonly used to help stabilize an incision after stitches have been removed or dissolved—are meant to be worn until they fall off on their own. However, if they remain longer than two weeks, your surgeon may give you the OK to remove them yourself.

Knowing when and how to remove Steri-Strips can prevent complications like infection, wound dehiscence (the opening of an incision), and nodule-like keloid scars.

Removal Steps

Steri-Strips (sometimes known as butterfly bandages or butterfly closure strips) are hypoallergic, water-tight bandages that stick firmly to the skin. They generally do not fall off in the shower after the first 24 to 48 hours unless you scrub or soak excessively.

As a general rule, Steri-Strips are left on until they fall off, usually within seven to 14 days. If they are still on after 14 days, your surgeon may give you the OK to remove them yourself.

One exception may be when a liquid adhesive called tincture of benzoin is used to keep Steri-Strips securely in place. If so, the strips and adhesive need to be removed with a special solvent.

If given the OK to remove Steri-Strips, the key is to go slowly and never yank the strips. Steri-Strips are far stickier than standard adhesive bandages so tugging them forcefully can injure the wound and possibly reopen it.

Here is how to remove Steri-Strips when the time is right:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water, cleaning under your nails.
2. To keep the wound stable, place your thumb and forefinger on opposite sides of the incision next to the strip you want to remove. Do not pinch the skin as it may cause the wound to open.
3. With the opposite hand, gently lift and peel one end of the strip, a little at a time.
4. Slowly pull the strip back horizontally to the skin until it reaches the incision. Do not pull vertically as this increases tension on the skin.
5. Repeat the process on the opposite end of the strip.
6. Once both ends have been pulled to the incision, pinch the ends of the strip with your fingers and gently lift.
   

Applying Vaseline or soaking the skin beforehand will not make removal easier. If anything, it can make it harder to grip the ends.

Soaking can also oversaturate the skin and cause the wound to open if it is not fully healed. Soaking in a tub is generally avoided for at least two weeks after surgery.

Skin Care After Removal

After Steri-Strips are removed, you need to take standard precautions to aid with healing and avoid skin irritation, infection, or wound dehiscence.

Here are some tips that can help:

• If any adhesive residue remains on the skin, you can remove it with baby oil, lotion, or medical adhesive remover available at drugstores. Do not pick at it with your fingernail.
• Once the strips and adhesive residue are removed, gently wash the area with soap and water and pat—don't rub—the skin dry.
• If you see patches of dried blood or dead skin, do not remove them. Let them fall off on their own.
• Leave the skin open to the air as much as possible. If there is mild oozing, apply a sterile dressing,
• Never scrub the wound or use products like rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine that can irritate tissues and slow healing.
• Avoid textured clothes that can get snagged on burrs or scabs.
  

When Not to Remove Steri-Strips

As a general rule, you should only remove Steri-Strips when your surgeon gives you the OK. Even then, there may be situations when you will still need to wait:

• Excessive scabbing: If a strip is scabbed over and stuck to the skin, do not pull at it. Instead, dab the strip with a moistened cotton ball and wait 30 seconds to see if it comes off any easier. If it does not, leave it until the scab comes off on its own.
• Incomplete healing: Some people like smokers and older adults take longer to heal than others. If there is still wound drainage after 14 days or the incision still looks partially open, call your surgeon or healthcare provider to assess the wound.

Waiting will not cause any harm or change the outcome in any way. You generally can't overwear Steri-Strips for too long.

When to Call a Healthcare Provider

Once Steri-Strips fall off, most wounds will be significantly healed. Even so, larger incisions may take longer to heal and are vulnerable to infection and other complications if not treated appropriately.

Call your surgeon or healthcare provider if you experience:

• Significant or persistent oozing from the skin
• Worsening red, heat, swelling, tenderness, or pain
• A pus-like or smelly discharge
• Signs of an opening wound
• Expanding redness or streaks from the incision site
• High fever with chills

Summary

Steri-Strips are bandages used to stabilize an incision after stitches have been removed or dissolved. You will usually be advised to wait until the strips fall off on their own. If the incision is amply healed, your healthcare provider may give you the OK to remove them yourself.

Do not remove Steri-Strips without first speaking with your healthcare provider. Doing so early may lead to wound dehiscence.