The skin may also be closed with interrupted fine 4/0 or 5/0 synthetic absorbable subcuticular sutures. With this method, the suture must lie in the deepest layers of the corium. The skin edge is grasped with toothed forceps and the suture is placed by either the continuous or interrupted horizontal mattress technique. Multiple interrupted sutures are preferred for short incisions, whereas continuous sutures are more suitable for incisions that are more than a few centimeters long. In this technique, small horizontal bites are taken in opposite sides of the skin margins (Figures 35 and 36). When the knot is tied, a perfect approximation occurs (Figure 37). After tying, the sutures are cut as close to the knot as possible. Thereafter, the skin is cleaned of the preparative antiseptic solution and a benzoin-like skin protector is applied. When this becomes tacky, porous adhesive paper tapes are applied transversely (Figure 38). This relieves tension in the incision and provides a simple covering.