When can I safely put lotions or creams on my incision?

Sometimes the skin around your incision becomes dry and itchy while healing. Although it’s okay to put lotion or cream on the surrounding skin if it is uncomfortable, you should not apply anything close to or on the incision without the approval of your surgeon. It normally takes four to six weeks for the wound to fully heal and close. You don’t want to risk infection by applying a product near an open area before that time. Some of the more common creams and lotions used on a healed incision are Bio-Oil, Vitamin E Oil, E45 Cream, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Lotion with Vitamin E, and Coconut Oil. The one exception to this guidance is a product called ACTIVE Skin Repair Hydrogel. This gel contains hypochlorous (HOCL), a compound made naturally by your body to promote healing. It can be applied to your incision at any point during recovery – it’s a germ fighter as well as a healing and moisturizing agent. But you still should discuss its use with your surgeon before using it.