Mohs Surgery Aftercare: What You Need to Know

Mohs surgery is the most effective way to treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, the most common forms of skin cancer. The Mohs procedure can remove all cancerous cells while leaving behind the smallest scar possible. Surgical aftercare dramatically impacts how your excision heals, so you’re an active participant during recovery. 

Jennifer Baron, MD, is a Mohs micrographic surgery specialist practicing in San Jose, California. Dr. Baron and her team guide you through the recovery process, so today we’re providing you with an overview of Mohs surgery as well as focusing on what you need to know about your surgical aftercare. 

How Mohs surgery works

The Mohs process requires Dr. Baron to take on three roles during your treatment. She’s not only the surgeon who carefully removes cancerous tissue; she also analyzes each sample as a medical pathologist who identifies the absence or presence of cancer cells. 

Finally, Dr. Baron is also the specialist who closes or repairs the wound formed by the Mohs excision process. These skills make skin cancer treatment a single-visit procedure with high success rates. 

Working carefully, Dr. Baron removes thin sections of your cancer lesion, inspecting each layer under a microscope for signs of cancer cells. If any are present, Dr. Baron removes another layer and repeats the process until all signs of cancer are gone.

Once there’s no sign of cancer remaining, Dr. Baron treats the surgical wound from which the tumor was removed. Mohs surgery has a 99% success rate for previously untreated skin cancer lesions.  

Mohs surgery aftercare: what you need to know

Every patient's surgery has unique aspects, so we will instruct you on the specific aspects of care you require. The general process follows typical steps, as outlined here. 

• Keep the initial wound dressing in place and dry for 48 hours after your procedure
• After 48 hours, it’s time to change the dressing, applying an antibiotic ointment and covering with a suitable dressing
• Repeat this process twice a day, including the antibiotic, to reduce the risk of infection
• Avoid products containing aspirin, which has a blood thinning effect, for several days after your procedure
• When possible, sleep with the wound elevated, such as with extra pillows under your head if the wound is on your face or supporting your legs if it is lower on your body
• Avoid exertion like bending over or lifting heavy objects while stitches are in place
• Use ice packs on the wound to reduce swelling and control pain while keeping the dressing dry

You probably won’t experience any bleeding or drainage from your wound, so let us know if this occurs. Similarly, if the wound opens or swelling starts in the days after your procedure, contact our office for further instructions. 

You can call our San Jose office directly or request a procedure online using the link on this page. Dr. Baron and her team are standing by to help you through skin cancer and Mohs surgery treatment, so book your visit today.