It’s always advisable to listen to your doctor, who can tell you the correct amount of time that must elapse before stitches are removed. This time depends on a variety of factors, including the type of stitches used. Liquid stitches (a type of surgical glue) do not need to be removed. Traditional nonabsorbable stitches do need to be removed, and if they’re left in the skin it can cause permanent scarring.