Caring for Your Skin Graft

A skin graft is healthy skin that is used to replace damaged or missing skin. The graft is taken from another part of your body. This is called the donor site. You will need to care for both the graft and donor sites as instructed so they heal properly.

Follow the instructions carefully. It will take 2 to 4 weeks or longer for the graft to completely heal. This varies from person to person and may depend on the size of the graft.

About your bandages

Your skin graft will have a bandage on it. Underneath the graft bandage, you will likely have a “bolster.” This is a bulky covering kept in place with stitches. The bolster keeps the skin graft in place. You will be asked to schedule a follow-up appointment with our nurse in 5 to 7 days. At this visit, your bolster will be removed.

Your donor site will have a dressing on it, but not a bolster. Leave the bandage in place until your follow-up appointment.

Caring for the graft site

  • Do not touch your graft bandage for the first 24 hours following your procedure. After 24 hours, you may gently remove the outer gauze bandage that is covering your bolster. Please do not be alarmed if the gauze is soiled. This is very common. If you do not want to cover the bolster, it can be left to open air.
  • Once the old gauze is removed, you may apply a new piece of gauze over your bolster and lightly secure it with tape.
  • Keep the bandage dry. Avoid any contact with water when bathing or showering.
  • Keep the bandaged area clean. Avoid getting dirt or sweat on it.
  • As often as possible, elevate the graft site above the level of your heart. Do this when sitting or lying down. This helps reduce swelling and fluid buildup in the graft area.
  • Keep the part of your body with the graft as still as possible. Avoid any movement that stretches or pulls the skin graft.

Caring for the donor site

  • Your donor site will have a dressing on it. Leave the dressing in place until your follow-up appointment. If the dressing shifts or leaks before your follow-up appointment, it is OK to reinforce it. Our team will remove the dressing during this visit.
  • After that, you may shower and get the donor site wet with warm soapy water.
  • Please apply an over-the-counter ointment such as Aquaphor to the donor site twice daily.

At-home care for your new skin graft

These instructions start once the bolster has been removed in our office. This is usually 5 to 7 days after your procedure. The skin graft is extremely delicate. To help it heal properly, you must be very gentle. The graft must remain covered at all times. We will provide you with the supplies you need.

Please follow these instructions when taking care of your new skin graft:

  1. Each morning, very carefully remove the old gauze.
  2. Cut the new gauze to an appropriate size.
  3. Apply Aquaphor ointment.
  4. Very gently place the gauze over the skin graft.
  5. Secure the gauze with tape.

Important to remember

Please follow these instructions for 1 to 2 weeks or until you are seen for a follow-up appointment with your physician and instructed otherwise:

  • Do not get the graft wet until your physician says it is OK.
  • Do not apply direct pressure to the graft site, including sleeping on it.
  • Do not apply ice or heat to the graft site.

Call our office if you notice either of these symptoms:

  • A large increase in redness, swelling or pain around your incisions
  • Excessive bleeding or drainage from your incisions