Every biopsy will cause your skin to scar. Depending on the size of the biopsy site, it may be a large scar or one that only you notice. Taking care of the biopsy site and surrounding skin can help ensure that your scar heals properly and as minimally as possible. Scars fade gradually over time and the permanent color will only be visible one to two years after the biopsy. Your skin biopsy site may form a scab or may simply heal over into a scar. In either case, it's important to not pick at a scab or skin to help it heal properly and not form a large scar. Picking at the skin or the wound can introduce bacteria into the wound and cause an infection. As the wound and scar heal, keep the area moist with an ointment such as petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment. This will help ensure that the skin heals properly and that the scar doesn't enlarge. The best way to keep the skin moist is to apply a light layer of ointment such as petroleum jelly or Aquaphor to the wound site 4-5 times per day. You can apply the ointment for 10 days or longer, if necessary. If you are still using a bandage on your biopsy site, apply the ointment first. You can get petroleum jelly or other ointments at most drug and grocery stores. Recent studies suggest that applying a thin film of silicone gel may help heal scars. If you're prone to forming keloids or hypertrophic scars, you may want to consider having your doctor prescribe silicone gel to help treat any scars or potential scarring. Keloids are raised and reddish nodules that may appear at the site of a biopsy or other injury. They occur in approximately 10% of the population. Hypertrophic scars resemble keloids and are more common. They may fade with time. Your doctor may be able to treat keloids or hypertrophic scars with a steroid injection. Silicone gels will hydrate your skin and allow skin to breathe. They will prohibit bacterial and collagen growth, with can affect the size of your scar. Children and persons with sensitive skin can usually use silicone gel films without a problem. Most patients can begin use of silicone gels within days after a wound closes. Once you get a prescription for silicone gel, you apply a thin film of it twice a day. The skin that forms as a scar is very delicate. Avoid sun exposure or apply sunscreen to help keep the scar from burning and minimize discoloration. Cover up the wound and scar to keep them protected from the sun. Use a high SPF sunscreen to help protect an exposed scar or biopsy site from burning and prevent it from discoloration. In many cases, scar massage can be started about 4 weeks after the biopsy. It can help the scar heal more quickly and reduce its appearance. Ask your doctor to show you how to massage your scar. Scar massage can also help prevent scar tissue from adhesion, or sticking to the muscles, tendons, and other things beneath your skin. In general, use a slow, circular motion to massage the skin around your scar. Use firm pressure, but don't pull or tear at the skin. Massage 2-3 times a day for 5-10 minutes. Your doctor may also recommend using elastic therapeutic tape, such as Kinesio Tape, over your scar area once it has begun to heal. The movement of the tape can help keep the scar from adhering to the tissues below.
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One-sentence summary -- Be aware that all biopsy sites scar. Don't pick at the skin or wound. Keep the skin moist at all times. Apply silicone gel to heal scars. Avoid sun exposure or use sunscreen on the scar. Ask your doctor if scar massage is right for you.

Do you know how long you are willing to be long distance? Does your partner know? It is important to agree on a length of time. If the distance depends on a circumstance with no certain end date, your reunion may keep getting pushed off. Make sure that you discuss the financial aspects of maintaining your relationship with your partner as well. Being in a long distance relationship can be expensive, especially if you travel often to see your partner. If your partner is waiting for a controlling parent to "back off," that means neither of you have any control over the date. Similarly, if you are waiting for a job to open up in your partner's city, you may be stuck waiting with no date in sight. To avoid this, agree on a date by which you will either move (with or without the job) or break up. For instance, you might say "I'll move to your city as soon as I find a job there. However, if I haven't found one in the next six months, I'll just move and take my chances." However, make sure that you have a conversation about finances before doing something like this to make sure that one partner is able to support the other as they look for a job. If you are planning to be in a perpetually distant relationship, make sure you are both okay with that. You should both feel comfortable with the amount of texting, calling, emailing, and visiting you do. Ask your partner if they feel you're at the right level, and ask yourself how you feel as well. If you find that one of you is feeling neglected or inundated, agree on a different schedule together. If it feels like only one of you is willing to compromise, your relationship might not be working. You should still be able to hang out with friends, visit family, go to parties, and have time to yourself. If you feel like your long distance relationship is making it impossible for you to have a social life where you are, you need to draw some boundaries. Tell your partner you can't visit them as frequently. Explain that you are feeling lonely from never making any friends where you are. Explain to your partner that you will schedule a certain amount of time to talk to them, but that you can't be on call constantly. If your partner freaks out or refuses, your relationship might not be working. Do you know the terms of your relationship? Does your partner? Ask yourself what you expect, then make this clear to your partner and ask what they expect as well. For instance, if you believe that you and your partner are monogamous, in love, and heading toward living together in the next few years, tell your partner! Similarly, if you believe you and your partner are in an open relationship, you'll need to define those terms as well. Being distant means communicating more, not less, so make an effort to get on the same page. If your partner wants to "keep it loose," that means they aren't willing to be open with you about their expectations. That's a bad sign.
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One-sentence summary --
Decide how long you can handle being in a long distance relationship. Keep a communication schedule that works for both of you. Make sure you can both maintain a social life. Clarify your expectations.