November 15, 2024 | 4 minute read
Receiving a skin cancer diagnosis can be a scary and uncertain time. However, successful and effective treatments like Mohs surgery can provide great relief and peace of mind. This surgery is most effective for treating basal and squamous cell carcinoma. When preparing for your Mohs surgery procedure, learning about the recovery process is essential so you will be well-equipped to follow all aftercare instructions post-surgery.
Recovering From Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery is performed at the Skin and Cancer Center of Scottsdale to assist skin cancer patients on their journeys to becoming cancer-free. The procedure involves cutting the skin cancer lesion from the body along with a small margin of surrounding skin. This removed sample will be examined, and more skin samples may be taken until the tissues are cancer-free. After the skin cancer and surrounding skin has been removed, patients can expect to have a wound that will take some time to heal.
How Long Does Mohs Surgery Take to Heal?
Everyone’s recovery process will vary due to how their body heals, health conditions, surgical technique, and the size and shape of the post-surgery wound. Older patients may have a longer recovery time than younger patients. Additionally, those who are receiving other treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy, may require a longer recovery period.
Most patients will need to avoid strenuous physical activities for a minimum of one to two weeks after Mohs surgery. This is essential to avoid movements that could force the wound to open again, which could lead to further complications such as infection, excessive bleeding, and unfavorable scarring. However, depending on the location and size of the wound, you may have longer restrictions on certain activities to allow for optimal healing.
Does Mohs Surgery Leave a Scar?
After your Mohs surgery, your wound will be closed and wrapped in bandages that may need to stay over the area for the first 24 hours after the procedure. Scarring is an inevitable part of Mohs surgery; however, it should be noted that this treatment preserves as much healthy skin as possible. Your surgeon will provide instructions on caring for this wound to help the scar heal as smoothly as possible. Over time, this scar will fade. Many patients notice their scars are significantly less visible one year after surgery.
Tips for Treating Your Open Wound After Mohs Surgery
Most patients want their recovery period to go as smoothly as possible so they can return to their regular activities and have their scars heal as quickly as they can. Some tips that patients can follow to achieve this include:
- Following all of your surgeon’s postoperative instructions
- Leaving the wound alone and not touching or scratching the area
- Keeping the wound clean
- Drinking lots of water and staying hydrated
- Refraining from wearing makeup in the treatment area until cleared to do so
- Sleeping with the wound area elevated (most applicable for wounds on the face or neck; however, ask your surgeon if this applies to you)
- Moisturizing the wound multiple times a day with Vaseline for three to four weeks
- Avoiding sun exposure during recovery to reduce potential pigmentation problems
- Wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on the treatment area once it is healed
Want to Know More About Mohs Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ?
If you plan on getting Mohs surgery to treat your basal or squamous cell carcinoma, contact the Skin and Cancer Center of Scottsdale to learn more about the procedure and recovery. Call us at (480) 596-1110 or complete our online contact form today to schedule your consultation.
