AAD Member

Authors of a JAMA Dermatology study investigated whether a one-time application of hydrocolloid dressing (HCD) for one week after excisional surgery affects scar appearance and surgical complications compared to daily petroleum ointment.

Surgeon and patient ratings for overall appearance were clinically comparable.

The HCD group had higher, but not statistically significant, rates of adverse events, including postoperative bleeding (20.6% for HCD vs. 8.8% for petroleum), wound dehiscence (6.2% vs. 0%), and surgical site pain (21.2% vs. 12.3%).

No patients required postoperative antibiotics.

The authors concluded that HCD yields similar scar appearance and complication rates as daily petroleum ointment.

Learn more in the AAD's DermWorld Weekly: https://www.aad.org/dw/weekly/december-10-2025