What happens after Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is a procedure used to treat different types of skin cancer. You may have been advised to have Mohs micrographic surgery by your dermatologist, allowing them to remove cancerous tissue from your skin while ensuring minimal damage is done to the healthy tissue surrounding it. It is reassuring to know that Mohs surgery has a very high cure rate in the treatment of skin cancer, but you may want to know how long the wound will take to heal in the aftermath of surgery. Dr Firas Al-Niaimi, consultant dermatologist specialising in skin cancer surgery, explains what to expect after a Mohs procedure, and the healing process.

How long does Mohs surgery take to heal?

Recovery from Mohs surgery depends on the extent of the area that needs to be removed, and the depth of the cancer the dermatologist is operating on. The Mohs procedure itself removes all cancer tissue, but the defect remaining may need different surgical attention depending on its size. Your dermatologist may advise that the wound is left to heal on its own, or it may need to be closed by stitches. If the area affected is of larger size, a skin graft may be recommended, or flaps of skin may be moved around to close the defect.

In any surgery, you can expect some swelling and some bruising to occur, which goes down after a while. Most patients will wear a bandage or dressing to cover the wound and swelling for 1-2 weeks afterwards. During this time, rest and recovery is important, and strenuous activity should be avoided. Your skin may feel tight in the area the surgery was performed, but this will get better over time.

Depending on the type of stitches used, a follow-up appointment may be scheduled for their removal around a week after surgery. All patients who have had Mohs surgery will be asked to come in for a follow-up appointment so we can see how the wound is healing and your progress.

The complete healing process, including healing of the scar, can take between 3-12 months depending on the size of the area affected. Scarring is designed to be minimal and your dermatologist will work to make sure that optimal cosmetic results are delivered with minimal scarring.

What helps the healing process after Mohs?

Most doctors recommend not smoking after surgery, as nicotine decreases oxygen supply to the wound, slowing down the healing process. After surgery, correct aftercare will be advised. This will include care such as cleaning and covering the wound in the correct manner, using antibiotic ointment if necessary, and avoiding sunlight.

In the long-term, sun cream should be applied daily, especially during peak hours. This will reduce the risk of further sun damage to the skin.

Before surgery, speak to your dermatologist or Mohs surgeon to make sure you have realistic expectations and understand both the surgical and aftercare procedures. There are many variables during the healing process and having a pre-operative consultation will give you the best idea of what to expect in your individual case.