Mohs surgery is an effective treatment option for anyone diagnosed with skin cancer. By removing the layers of your skin one at a time, dermatologists can ensure that they remove all cancerous tissue while working to preserve any healthy tissue. With a reduction in scarring and a high cure rate, Mohs surgery has many benefits. The high success rate and excellent cosmetic outcomes are why many use this surgery so often to treat skin cancer, but you need to make sure you follow the proper steps after the treatment to heal faster and reduce scarring. Keep reading as we share our top recovery tips for healing quickly and minimizing scarring.
Why It Matters Who Performs Your Mohs Surgery
Not all Mohs surgeons have the same level of training. While any licensed dermatologist can technically perform Mohs surgery, fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons receive additional hands-on training and experience through a rigorous post-residency program. This extra year of focused training ensures a deeper expertise in tumor removal, pathology, and the complex reconstructive techniques often needed to achieve optimal cosmetic outcomes.
Dr. Natalie Curcio is a dermatologic surgeon and a member of both the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. She has completed a prestigious fellowship in Mohs Surgery, during which she performed thousands of Mohs procedures and reconstructions. Her expertise in both tumor removal and advanced cosmetic repair techniques means patients can trust they are receiving the highest level of care.
Additionally, Dr. Curcio completed a fellowship in Cosmetic & Laser Surgery, giving her unique insight into minimizing post-surgical scarring and enhancing aesthetic results through advanced laser and skincare treatments. Choosing a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon like Dr. Curcio ensures your care is both medically precise and cosmetically focused.
What to Expect Immediately After Mohs Surgery
Immediately following Mohs surgery, it’s very common for patients to experience redness, swelling, minor bleeding, and tenderness. Over the first few weeks, you can expect the swelling to go down slowly and your skin’s appearance to return to normal. Depending on how severe your skin changes are, your wound may be closed with stitches, allowed to heal naturally, or, in some cases, a skin graft or flap may repair the skin. The size and location of the wound will impact treatment and aftercare. The care you take straight after the surgery will greatly impact how well you heal, which is why you must always follow your dermatologist’s aftercare plan.
Essential Tips for Faster Healing
After your appointment, your dermatologist should share a thorough aftercare plan with you. You need to follow this plan properly and ensure that you don’t skip any steps that may be crucial for proper healing. Keep your wound clean and moisturized at all times. Cleanse the area gently with mild soap and water, and use petroleum jelly or prescribed ointments to promote faster healing.
Keeping a wound moist is preferable to help encourage quicker healing and reduce scarring. It promotes the movement of cells across the wound’s surface, but make sure it’s not too wet, as this can lead to skin breakdown. Cover the wound area as your dermatologist recommends to avoid infection and trauma, and never pick at scabs, as this can delay healing and encourage scarring. If you are very active or have a job where you might risk brushing on your wound area, ensure you do all you can in the weeks following your surgery to protect the area from reopening.
How to Minimize Scarring
Minimizing scarring is a top priority for most patients after Mohs surgery, especially if the surgery was on a very visible or prominent part of the skin. Sun protection is key to reducing scarring, and you’ll want to avoid direct sun exposure on the healing site. Wear sunscreen and hats if you need to spend time outdoors or in direct sunlight; UV rays can negatively impact scars and make them more visible or slow to heal. While we all want to enjoy our free time outdoors in the summer, it’s best to take it slowly and fully cover up this area where possible. Avoid swimming and other activities that might cause an infection or the wound to become too moist.
Use scar-reducing products if they are approved or encouraged by your dermatologist. Use silicone gels or sheets after the wound has closed, but ensure you get the approval before using this option. Later on in the recovery process, massage the scar gently to promote the remodeling of the collagen and flatten the scar after the site heals. In your follow-up appointments, you’ll be able to discuss your concerns about the speed of your healing process and the steps you can take to promote quicker healing. Some fantastic products are on the market today to support scar healing, but always ensure you use one suitable for the area where you received treatment.
When to Call Your Dermatologist
Following your Mohs surgery, you want to look for any signs of infection. Look for increasing redness of the skin, warmth, pus oozing from the wound site, or a high fever. If you notice any of these, call your dermatologist immediately so that they can share their treatment recommendations. Excessive bleeding or the wound reopening is a clear cause for concern, so make sure you also seek assistance if this happens.
You should book follow-up visits with your dermatologist after the treatment. Make sure you take the time for these appointments for optimal cosmetic outcomes and a full review of how well your scars heal. Any unusual activity is always worth getting checked out to help promote proper healing and avoid infections. Your dermatologist will also speak to you about the success of the treatment and whether you’ll need further treatment for your unique case. Over the upcoming years, they can also keep an eye on any additional changes to your skin to ensure there are no recurring issues or other areas where skin cells should be removed.
Patience is key in healing after Mohs surgery, and you’ll want to follow the tips we’ve shared here today to play your part in protecting the wound area. Mohs surgery is a very effective treatment for most patients, but remember that full scar maturation can take several months. The combination of good surgical technique and diligent home care will give you the best cosmetic results, and our team strives to ensure that we support your health and well-being before, during, and after the treatment. Your dermatologist will be here to guide you through every step of the process and ensure the treatment succeeds. Contact our office for any questions about recovery after Mohs surgery or to schedule a follow-up appointment with our team.
