After Your Mohs Surgery
After Your Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery is one of the most precise and effective procedures available for skin cancer removal, and your care at home is just as important as what happens in our office. Following your post-operative instructions carefully gives your body the best possible environment to heal, minimizes your risk of complications, and helps ensure the best cosmetic outcome.
Your Mohs Surgery Wound & Bandage
Leave your bandage in place for the first 24 hours unless instructed otherwise. After that, you will begin daily wound care. To clean the wound, gently wash the area with mild soap and water or as directed by our team. Pat dry, never rub. Apply a thin layer of the recommended ointment to keep the wound moist, and cover with a clean, non-stick bandage. Repeat this process once daily, or as instructed, until the wound has fully healed. Keeping the wound moist and protected is one of the most important things you can do. A moist environment promotes faster healing and significantly reduces scarring.
Activity & Lifestyle
For the first week, take it easy. Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and vigorous exercise. Physical exertion raises your blood pressure and heart rate, which increases the risk of bleeding and can put stress on the surgical site, potentially reopening the wound or disrupting the closure. Avoid bending over or straining, particularly if your surgery was on your face or scalp, as this can increase swelling and pressure at the site. Do not swim or submerge the wound in water—including pools, hot tubs, lakes, and the ocean—until cleared by Dr. Pennie. Avoid direct sun exposure on the healing site. Once the wound has fully healed, apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher whenever the area is exposed. Protecting the scar from UV exposure during healing leads to significantly better long-term cosmetic results.
Alcohol & Smoking
Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours after your procedure. Alcohol thins the blood and can increase swelling and the risk of bleeding. Please do not smoke during your recovery. Smoking restricts blood flow to healing tissue, slows recovery, increases the risk of infection, and can significantly worsen scarring. If you need support with quitting, we are happy to help point you in the right direction.
Pain & Discomfort After Mohs Surgery
Some discomfort, tenderness, and swelling in the days following surgery is completely normal. Over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used as directed to manage pain. Unless specifically recommended by our team, avoid aspirin and ibuprofen in the first few days, as these can thin the blood and increase bleeding risk. Elevating the area, particularly if your surgery was on your face, can help reduce swelling in the first 48 hours.
What to Expect While You Heal From Mohs Surgery
Every patient heals a little differently, but here is a general sense of what to expect in the days and weeks ahead. In the first one to three days, you may notice swelling, bruising, and some discomfort around the site. This is normal and will begin to improve. By the end of the first week, most discomfort will have subsided. If sutures were placed, your follow-up appointment will typically fall within this window. Over the following weeks and months, the scar will continue to mature and fade. Keeping the area moisturized and protected from the sun during this time makes a real difference in the final result.
Signs That Require Immediate Attention
Contact our office right away if you experience any of the following:
Excessive bleeding—if the wound is bleeding and does not stop with ten to fifteen minutes of firm, continuous pressure, call us immediately.
Signs of infection—increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage from the wound beyond the first couple of days may indicate infection and should be evaluated promptly.
Unmanageable pain—some discomfort is expected, but severe or worsening pain that cannot be controlled with over-the-counter medication warrants a call.
Wound separation—if the edges of the wound pull apart or the closure appears to be opening, contact us right away.
Fever—a temperature above 101°F can be a sign of infection and should not be ignored.
When in doubt, call. We would always rather hear from you.
Your Mohs Surgery Follow-Up Appointment
Before you leave our office, we will schedule your follow-up appointment. This visit allows Dr. Pennie to check on your healing, remove sutures if applicable, and address any questions you may have. Please do not skip this appointment, as it is an important part of your care.
Recovering From Mohs Surgery
Recovery after Mohs surgery is typically smooth and straightforward when you follow your care instructions and keep the lines of communication open with our team. We are with you every step of the way. Feel free to contact our office with any questions.