What should you know about nasal skin graft?

A graft may be considered after removal of a skin cancer, injury, or another procedure leaves too little nearby skin for straightforward closure. The surgeon selects donor skin that can cover the defect and match its needs. The graft is placed over the nose and secured with dressings or stitches while it develops a blood supply from the wound bed. The donor site heals separately. Colour, texture, and thickness can change during healing, and the final appearance may take time to settle.

Before surgery, tell the team about medicines, allergies, smoking, and conditions that affect healing. Follow the wound-care instructions exactly: keep dressings protected, avoid rubbing or pressure, and attend planned reviews. Do not apply creams, makeup, or antiseptics unless your surgical team approves them. Protect healed skin from sun exposure. A later procedure such as Fractional Laser Treatment may sometimes be discussed for texture or scar concerns, only after the graft is fully healed.

Contact the surgical team promptly if the graft becomes increasingly dark, pale, cold, loose, or separated, or if pain, swelling, redness, drainage, or odour is worsening. Fever, heavy bleeding, breathing difficulty, or sudden facial swelling needs urgent assessment. Do not wait for a routine appointment when a dressing becomes soaked or the wound opens.

Why is a graft recommended for this nasal wound? Where will the donor skin come from? How will the graft be protected? Which activities and medicines should I avoid? When will you assess graft healing, and what scar changes are expected?