Steri strips on facial stitches after punch excision - is this normal practice?

For my punch excision on my face, they'd like me to keep a steri strip on for a week (and stiches) and keep it dry. No washing it. I'm weary of this bc everywhere else I see that cleaning and putting ointment on the wound can help it heal better. I'm also worried that I won't be able to see if the stiches come undone under the steri strip. Any advice? Should I just take the strip off after the first 48 hours and clean and put ointment on? Thanks!!