Mohs surgery is a modern surgery technique for the precise removal and treatment of skin cancer. Mohs surgery is a safe and effective method for removing the most common types of skin cancer including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Compared to older, standard surgeries (local excisions) that involve the removal of cancerous tissue in addition to a surrounding portion of healthy skin, Mohs surgery is more precise and less invasive. Depending on how deep your skin cancer runs, Mohs surgery may require the removal of several layers of skin until the cancer is fully excised. For some patients, this can result in the formation of hypertrophic or keloid scars. Luckily, with proper wound maintenance and the help of silicone gel products, you can significantly reduce scarring after your Mohs surgery.
Post-operative care and scar management
Depending on the extent of the procedure, your surgeon may use stitches or skin graft to help the wound heal. In many cases, however, the wound won’t be too extensive and may heal on its own. As with any wound, it’s important to observe proper wound care and management to ensure a speedy recovery with minimal scarring. Keeping your wound clean, covered and protected is a good way to facilitate a healthy wound repair response by reducing the risk of infection or damage from the environment. Wounds also benefit from adequate hydration, so drink plenty of water and apply an anti-bacterial ointment if you have one available.
Once the wound has healed and there is no more bleeding or scabbing, you may begin turning your attention to managing your scar. Silicone gel technology is the only clinically-proven topical solution for the treatment and reduction of keloids and hypertrophic scars. Silicone gel in the form of sheeting, ointments, and sticks have been around for decades and are considered by physicians the gold standard for scar therapy.