Health & Healing
How long do stitches take to heal?
Estimated wait
~8 days
Based on published sources
Timeline guide
- Faster cases~6 days
- Average cases~8 days
- Slower casesUp to 14 days
Removal timing varies by body part, so go by location, not one number. Leaving non-dissolvable stitches in too long can cause skin marks, scarring and infection; removing them too early risks the wound reopening. The stitches coming out marks skin closure, not full healing. General information, not medical advice.
For non-dissolvable stitches, when they come out is driven by body location: face about 5 days, scalp and arms about 7 days, legs and top of feet about 10 days, and joints, hands and feet 12–14 days. Higher-tension, higher-movement areas stay in longest.
More details
Dissolvable (absorbable) stitches are a separate case — they are not removed and break down on their own over roughly 1–4 weeks.
Last updated: 10 Jul 2026
Information is for general knowledge only.