Mohs surgery for skin cancer leaves a wound that may or may not be stitched up depending on its size and depth. In order for the wound to heal properly, proper wound care is essential. Without effective aftercare, bleeding and infection may result. Find out how to care for a wound after Mohs surgery, below.

Caring for a Wound Immediately After Mohs Surgery

Your doctor will send you home with clear instructions on how to care for your wound after Mohs surgery, but you can consult the list below to get an idea of what this might entail:

• Immediately following surgery, the wound should be compressed to help prevent bleeding. 
• Some people who receive Mohs surgery will be prescribed an antibiotic to help prevent infection of the wound.
• It is also recommended to keep the wound dry for at least one full day after surgery. 
• After the first full day of keeping the wound dry, it should be cleaned once per day either in the shower or under running water, lathering it gently with soap. Rinse and gently blot dry with a clean towel. Once dry, apply a thin layer of vaseline (or the product recommended by your doctor) and cover the wound with a new bandage. 
• In the first few days after surgery, treatment recipients may be instructed to limit movement to help prevent bleeding. This means avoiding heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and bending over.

After Mohs surgery, you will likely be instructed to schedule a follow-up appointment shortly after to check up on the healing process of your wound. Depending on the size and depth of the wound, it may take anywhere from four to six weeks to fully heal.

Is There Pain After Mohs Surgery?

Most people who receive Mohs surgery only experience mild pain or discomfort after treatment, but swelling and bruising are common. Depending on the size and location of the wound, however, some people who are treated with Mohs surgery may experience more significant pain or discomfort.

Searching for a Surgery-Free Alternative to Mohs?

Are you interested in exploring an alternative to Mohs surgery that will have less of an impact on your daily life? Ask your healthcare provider if Image-Guided SRT is right for you. Unlike Mohs surgery, Image-Guided SRT requires no cutting and leaves no wound. This advanced technology uses a machine to deliver a low dose of radiation just beneath the surface of the skin, destroying the cancer cells but not the surrounding healthy cells. No wound means no surgical scarring, and people who receive Image-Guided SRT are typically free to get back to their daily routine without restricting movement.

Learn More About Image-Guided SRT With GentleCure

If you would like additional information on how Image-Guided SRT can be used to treat common forms of skin cancer, please call GentleCure at 855-936-4411 to speak with a skin cancer information specialist. Learn how Image-Guided SRT works, what you can expect during treatment, and get answers to any other common questions you may have.