If your patient is planning a Mohs surgical procedure, they’ll need to know a bit about the recovery process! Mohs surgery recovery can range from quick and simple to long and difficult— it all depends on how much tissue was removed during the surgery.
Most patients are completely recovered within 6-8 weeks, but more elaborate removals with grafts can take longer to heal properly. The scar healing process in particular can be daunting, as nobody wants to be left with permanent raised or discolored scars, especially in highly visible areas like the face. Here is some information you can give your patients to help them care for their wound after Mohs surgery.
Scarring
Once the cancerous cells have been surgically removed, many patients find themselves with scarring of some kind, whether it’s minimal or severe. Following proper wound care tips during the healing process is crucial in minimizing their risk of post-procedure scarring.
What Causes Scars
Generally speaking, scars will result from any wound that renders a portion of the skin missing. In the case of stretch marks, there isn’t enough skin to cover the surface area, so scar tissue is rapidly built to replace what is needed. When laceration occurs, either with or without stitches, there is a gap that must be breached with fibrous tissue – this is the body’s natural process to bind separated tissues back together.
How To Take Care of a Mohs Wound
- Cover the wound with a dressing to keep it dry and prevent infection or blood clots.
- Properly clean the wound.
- Use ice packs to reduce swelling and redness.
- Avoid sun exposure.
When To Start Scar Management
After the wound has healed and closed up, there are a few different ways your patient can go about your Mohs scar treatment.
Method #1: The first technique is silicone sheeting. We sell self-adhesive silicone sheets at many sizes to best fit the shape of a patient’s scar. The most significant aspect of this solution is its ability to help soften and flatten the scar.
Method #2: The second approach that we recommend is a silicone scar gel. This is a topical solution that forms a clear layer of silicone on top of the scar after drying. Your patient can use this 2-3 times a day to enhance the natural healing process, and it’s particularly useful for scarring that’s in more visible places like the face.
Method #3: For long-term scar management, we suggest using a quality scar cream. Creams can also help to improve the color of the scar. This can take up to 30-45 days to see improvement.
Bonus: For patients who are serious about healing their Mohs surgery scar quickly and want the most comprehensive solution, our Scar Heal Kit incorporates all three of these scar management methods. This allows them to use the Scar FX Silicone Scar Sheet at night and the RejuvaSil Silicone Scar Gel during the day, combining the two products for faster and more effective results. Our management system also includes Scar Esthetique Silicone Scar Cream that can be used to diminish the appearance of scarring over an extended period of time.
Interested in obtaining FREE samples of scar management products for your patients? Complete this form to request free samples that we will send you weekly! Samples contain coupon codes for patients that can be applied on our website to ensure they get the best price possible.