After hemostasis is achieved, how long should bandages be left on?

After achieving hemostasis, it is important to leave bandages on for a sufficient period to ensure that the wound has stabilized and any bleeding has truly stopped. Leaving the bandage on for 4-6 hours allows for adequate time for clot formation and helps protect the wound from external contaminants, which can lead to infection. This timeframe also minimizes the risk of disturbing the newly formed clots, as premature removal of the bandage could result in renewed bleeding.

A duration of 1-2 hours may not be long enough to ensure that the hemostatic process is secure. In contrast, extending the time to 6-8 hours could be unnecessarily long, especially if the wound is minor and if monitoring indicates that earlier removal would be safe. Ultimately, 4-6 hours is a balanced approach that promotes healing while allowing for appropriate monitoring of the wound.