How to Care for Your Skin After Mohs Surgery

Proper aftercare is essential for a smooth recovery and minimal scarring. Here is exactly what you need to do to care for your wound in the days ahead:

  • Keep the pressure dressing on for 24 hours and keep the area dry.
  • After surgery, go home and rest. No exercise or strenuous exertion. These activities may cause bleeding of the wound.
  • Your wound may ooze or bleed within the first few hours after surgery. This can be controlled by applying firm direct pressure over the dressing for 15 minutes and repeat. Do not release the pressure to peek at the wound until the 15 minutes are up.
  • If you have discomfort, take 2 Acetaminophen/Tylenol (650mg) every 4 hours alternating with 2 Ibuprofen/Advil (400mg) every 4 hours.
  • Use an Ice compress over the dressing for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off while awake for 1-2 days to lessen swelling and discomfort.
  • Change the dressing Once a day, starting 1-2 days after surgery. Continue this until the sutures are removed.
    • 1. Wash your hands first with soap and water.
    • 2. Remove the dressing
    • 3. Gently clean the area with Q tips moistened with water or hydrogen peroxide. Then dry the area.
    • 4. Apply Vaseline or Aquaphor ointment to the wound with Q tips.
    • 5. Cover the wound with a Telfa non-stick dressing, gauze, and bandage tape. ∙ Keep the dressing dry and change the dressing if it becomes wet.

NOTIFY THE PHYSICIAN IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

  • Persistent or increased pain at the wound site.
  • The area around the wound or sutures looks red and feels warm to the touch.
  • Red streaks radiating away from the wound site or sutures.
  • Pus or drainage at the wound site.
  • Increased swelling at the wound site.
  • Swelling and/or discoloration and bruising around the surgical site are common, especially when performed around the eye.
  • Redness with itching usually indicates sensitivity to the bandage tape or ointment used to dress the wound. Notify us if this develops.
  • Wounds DO NOT heal better if they dry out or are exposed to air. Wounds DO heal better if kept clean and moist with ointment and a bandage.