After Mohs Surgery

Hi Cockerpoo67 

I can't share any experience with what facial products are safe to use, as my BCC was on my chest, but I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

However, I can identify with feeling anxious about being in the sun. Before I had a BCC removed I was diagnosed with melanoma and the first summer after I think I developed Dracula type tendencies, trying to avoid the sun whenever possible! Over time I stopped avoiding the sun altogether and just made sure I was covered up with long sleeved tops and long trousers or a skirt topped off with sunglasses and a large hat. 

I was definitely a sunworshipper before but now I prefer to stay cool in the shade rather than swelter in the sun.

I hope you have a lovely holiday.

Hi Cockerpoo67 

I had MOHS for a BCC next to my nostril in 2022 and I just continued to use the same skincare products after the surgery that I'd always used. Is there something in particular you're concerned about?

And re: the sun. Like latchbrook, I've also had melanoma in addition to being very fair-skinned anyway so I'm personally very happy stay out of it as much as possible. Your anxiety is completely normal as MOHS is quite the procedure to go through and it sounds like you've got some good precautions in place for your holiday so my advice is to just go with the flow, do what you're comfortable with, don't do what you're not and have some fun!

Thank you for your reply .It is reassuring to know its not just myself who no longer wishes to sunbathe...

Many thanks

Hi MsC19754c

Thank you for your reply. I was told the healing procedure can take up to 18mths after mohs surgery. Even though its healed fine, i just didnt want to irritate the scar, as some days it looks pinker than others.Can i ask how long you massaged your scar for? Mine resulted in 20 stitches it was such a shock. Also do you still see your scar as you are a few years on.

I will certainly be enjoying my holiday however in the shade as much as possible.

Many thanks

Funnily enough I also had 20 stitches. Mine was small at 9mm and nodular, so not deep, but in a very awkward position and they actually had to remove a few millimetres of my nostril for the margins! They took a triangle shaped flap of skin running from my nose to my mouth and moved it into the defect to close it.

I was advised to massage it for 18 months, which I admittedly didn't stick to routinely for very long and then only really did it when it felt a bit tight. Because the flap closure involved my nose, cheek and upper lip, it actually got a lot of natural physio just through every day facial movements. I can feel it all the time - feels like I have a sticker on my face! - and, although it's faint, I can see it because I know it's there, but it isn't noticeable to others unless I point it out as much of the scar disappears into the nasolabial fold. You do say yours was infiltrative BCC so I'm guessing yours was probably deeper and, on your cheek, there's nowhere for it to hide!

In terms of products, I think again this is probably a case of trial and error and figuring out what feels comfortable for you.

• Thank you for your reply. Your surgery sounded more complex.obviously each is different as different areas etc
•  Mine was quite deep it was closed and stitched and closed as stated as linear ..just in 1 line down my cheek. Theres no hiding it..i see the scar every day, i just hope it fades more, did yours fade more as months passed? Im 12 months in june.
• I had internal stiches also.
• Thanks for advice. Did you wear foundation to cover it?
• Thanks and take care

Oh yes it faded a lot as time went on. It initially looked like exactly what it was - a flap of skin that had been fixed to my face! It has massively blended in now.

To start with I didn't do anything to it except wash and moisturise it and I used to go around it with foundation. At 12 months I was using an exfoliating scrub and make up on it and I just started doing those things when it felt right to do so.

I have other scars with a linear closure from my melanoma surgery nearly 8 years ago, in particular one at the top of my thigh just below the groin. The skin is obviously very delicate in that area and that scar started as a lumpy pink line and is now a completely flat white line. So purely from a patient experience point of view, I'd expect you'll certainly see a significant improvement as time goes on. 

Thank you..sorry to hear you had another surgery on your thigh was that mohs too? Did you massage with kelo cote? I just feel my scar is a bit raised and lumpy but not like it was earlier on..im 11 mths after mohs. Im just wondering if it will flatten more or not as time goes by.

Do you go on hols..im going to be paranoid as it will be my first time away since surgery but will be careful hat spf 50 etc.

How long did your linear closure take to flatten.

Have a good day.

If u wish to add me i can send a pic..but u dont have to...from someone who has gone through this its nice to get answers

The surgery on my thigh was a lymph node biopsy to check if the melanoma had spread (it hadn't) and I just left that scar to its own devices so I can't remember how long it took to flatten unfortunately.

For the scar on my face from the MOHS, I just used my usual cheap but amazing Tesco moisturiser and again mostly just left it alone. I didn't get any additional irritation etc. as time went on. It might be worth a quick check in with your GP to take a look if you think it doesn't seem right.

I'm not a fan of hot and sunny in general (Summer is not my season!) so I'm not drawn to locations with that kind of climate anyway, but no reason you can't enjoy them if you are with the precautions you've mentioned taking. 

Thank you..so glad the melanoma didnt spread, what did it look like ,unsure is it like a mole?

My bcc you couldnt see but then a sore like scar would not go, its weird one  as i was washing a glass and it sharred and a tiny piece of glass hit my face. I went to a & e As it felt sharp when i pressed my face. Did an ultrasound to rule out..but then this tiny scar cut appeared so i thought it was from that healing for some time,, it was tiny..i popped a dot of concealer on it. But then it appeared red looking i thought it was from a new face serum i was using...and had aggravated it.turned out bcc and  was 20cm x 14cm..it had been there a while.

My gp are clueless but i think different types ie flaps and grafts heal and treat differently. Was yours a flap? I use cetaphil moisteriser its so gentle..

Thanks