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When I was a young child, I had a cut and was taken to the emergency room. The wound was glued together and to this day, I still carry a scar. Many parents wonder: when should you ask for a plastic or facial plastic surgeon in the ER to take care of your child’s injury?
The answer is simple—when the cut is on the face. If your child has a cut on the arms, legs, or trunk, most emergency room doctors can repair it without issues. But facial cuts require special attention.
Plastic and facial plastic surgeons are trained to align delicate structures such as the edges of the eyebrows, the border between the lip and skin, and the natural curves of the eyelids and nose. Even a small misalignment can leave a permanent mark. These surgeons also use layered stitching when needed, placing deeper stitches under the skin for added strength. This approach reduces the risk of scars sinking, widening, or stretching over time.
Emergency room doctors are highly skilled at treating urgent injuries, but due to time pressures, they may opt for quicker repair methods like skin glue or a single layer of stitches. While this is often fine for less visible areas, it is not ideal for facial wounds, where precision and detail matter most.
If your child has a facial cut that is clean and not infected, ask for a plastic or facial plastic surgeon to close it. This decision can make a dramatic difference in how the scar looks for the rest of your child’s life.
Keeping the wound clean and infection-free is equally critical. Infections can worsen scarring and compromise even the best surgical repairs. Parents should gently clean the wound as instructed, avoid touching it with unwashed hands, and follow all care instructions from medical staff. A clean wound, closed by a skilled plastic surgeon, gives your child the best chance at minimal, barely noticeable scarring—something they’ll appreciate for years to come.
Dr. Carlos Wolf is a partner at Miami Plastic Surgery and is board certified. Email your questions to cwolf@miamiplasticsurgery.com or call 305-595-2969. You can also follow him on Instagram @CarlosWolfMD or visit www.miamiplasticsurgery.com.
