Mohs Surgery Aftercare: Scar Care & Long-Term Skin Health in Sunny Florida

Mohs Surgery Aftercare: A Guide to Scar Care and Long-Term Skin Health in Sunny Florida

Mohs micrographic surgery is widely recognized as one of the most effective treatments for non-melanoma skin cancers, offering cure rates as high as 99% for basal cell carcinoma and 97% for squamous cell carcinoma, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly precise and tissue-sparing procedure that protects as much healthy skin as possible to minimize scarring. Proper aftercare is essential to ensure optimal healing and support long-term skin health.

This guide outlines what patients can expect after Mohs surgery, including wound management, scar care strategies, and best practices for monitoring skin health over time.

What to Expect After Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is performed under local anesthesia in a clinical setting. It involves the removal of skin cancer layer by layer, with each layer immediately examined under a microscope until no cancer cells remain. This method minimizes the removal of healthy tissue and typically results in a smaller surgical wound compared to standard excisions. Additionally, Mohs surgery enables us to obtain clear pathology margins during the visit, rather than waiting for pathology to be sent out.

After Mohs surgery, there are several key points to keep in mind. You may experience postoperative symptoms for several days to a few weeks. Proper wound care at home will enhance wound healing and help prevent infection.

Postoperative symptoms may include:

• Redness and swelling?
• Minor bleeding or drainage?
• Mild pain or discomfort?
• Bruising near the surgical site?

The initial healing process generally takes one to two weeks for surface wounds. Dissolvable sutures are usually placed underneath the skin and may take several weeks to absorb and flatten. Deeper tissue healing and scar remodeling can take several months. The final appearance of the scar can take up to one year to be fully evident.

Scar Care After Mohs Surgery

Scar care plays a significant role in the cosmetic outcome following Mohs surgery. Proper wound management can minimize scar visibility and reduce the likelihood of complications such as infection or delayed healing.

Moist wound healing is considered the standard of care in dermatologic surgery, including Mohs surgery. A review in Advances in Wound Care found that moist environments accelerate re-epithelialization, reduce inflammation, and support collagen synthesis. This means that a moist environment allows our skin cells to heal wounds faster and more efficiently. 

Recommended steps for scar care include:

• Cleaning the wound daily with mild soap and water?
• Applying petroleum jelly or a prescribed ointment to maintain moisture?
• Covering with a non-stick sterile bandage?
• Avoiding sun exposure to the healing area, as UV rays can cause discoloration?
• Refraining from picking at scabs, which can worsen scarring?

Depending on the wound size and location, patients may also be advised to limit physical activity to prevent tension on the healing site.

In cases where scar appearance is a concern, dermatologists may recommend treatments such as silicone gel, topical corticosteroids, or laser resurfacing. These options are generally considered after the wound has fully closed and matured.

Long-Term Skin Health After Skin Cancer Surgery

Patients who have undergone Mohs surgery remain at higher risk for developing additional skin cancers. A large cohort study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association - Dermatology  found that 60 percent of patients with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer developed another lesion within 10 years.

To support long-term skin health:

• Schedule annual full-body skin exams with a board-certified dermatologist?
• Perform monthly self-examinations at home, checking for any new, changing, or unusual spots?
• Seek prompt evaluation of any suspicious lesions?

Monitoring skin health over time allows for early detection and treatment, which significantly improves outcomes.

Learn More About Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery remains the gold standard for treating many types of skin cancer due to its high cure rate and precision. For more information about the procedure, recovery expectations, and treatment options, visit our Mohs Surgery resource .